And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, and Joshua captured it on the second day. He put all the people to the sword, just as he had done to Libnah. And the LORDThis phrase emphasizes the divine involvement in the events described. The Hebrew word for "LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, signifying His eternal presence and faithfulness. In the context of Joshua, it underscores that the victories of Israel are not by human might but by divine intervention. This reflects the overarching biblical theme that God is sovereign and actively involved in the affairs of His people. gave Lachish
The word "gave" in Hebrew is "nathan," which means to deliver or bestow. This indicates that the conquest of Lachish was a gift from God to Israel, not merely a military achievement. Lachish was a significant Canaanite city, and its capture was crucial for Israel's campaign in the Promised Land. Archaeological evidence shows Lachish as a fortified city, highlighting the miraculous nature of its fall to Israel. into the hand of Israel
The phrase "into the hand" is a common biblical expression denoting control or possession. It signifies that Israel, under God's guidance, was granted authority over Lachish. This reflects the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham regarding the land. The "hand of Israel" symbolizes the collective strength and unity of the tribes under Joshua's leadership, empowered by divine support. and he captured it
The verb "captured" suggests a decisive and complete victory. In Hebrew, it is "lakad," meaning to seize or take. This action demonstrates the effectiveness of Israel's obedience to God's commands. The capture of Lachish serves as a testament to the power of faith and the importance of following divine instructions in achieving success. on the second day
The mention of "the second day" indicates the swift nature of the conquest. Unlike other prolonged sieges, the rapid fall of Lachish highlights the supernatural assistance provided by God. This quick victory would have been a morale booster for Israel and a warning to other Canaanite cities of the unstoppable advance of God's people. and struck it
The term "struck" in Hebrew is "nakah," which means to smite or defeat. This implies a decisive blow that led to the city's downfall. The use of this word conveys the thoroughness of the conquest, ensuring that the city was completely subdued. It reflects the biblical principle of God's judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanites. with the edge of the sword
This phrase is a common biblical idiom for complete destruction. The "edge of the sword" signifies the totality of the conquest, leaving no room for resistance. It underscores the seriousness of God's command to Israel to remove the corrupting influences of Canaanite idolatry and immorality from the land. as he had done to Libnah
The comparison to Libnah, another city previously conquered, serves as a reminder of God's consistent faithfulness in granting victory to Israel. It reinforces the pattern of divine assistance and the importance of Israel's reliance on God. This phrase also serves as a historical record, linking the events in a continuous narrative of conquest and fulfillment of God's promises. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel, successor to Moses, who led the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan. 2. LachishA significant Canaanite city-state in the Shephelah region of Israel, known for its strategic importance. 3. The LORDThe God of Israel, who is actively involved in the battles and victories of the Israelites. 4. LibnahAnother Canaanite city that was previously conquered by Joshua, setting a precedent for the conquest of Lachish. 5. The IsraelitesThe people of God, chosen to inherit the Promised Land and tasked with driving out the inhabitants of Canaan. Teaching Points Divine Sovereignty in VictoryRecognize that it is the LORD who grants victory. Our successes are not solely due to our efforts but are gifts from God. Obedience to God's CommandsJoshua's actions reflect obedience to God's commands regarding the conquest of Canaan. We are called to obey God's instructions in our lives, trusting in His wisdom and timing. Faith and ActionJoshua's leadership demonstrates the balance of faith in God's promises and taking decisive action. We should trust God while actively pursuing His will. God's FaithfulnessThe capture of Lachish is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel. We can trust that God will be faithful to His promises in our lives as well. The Seriousness of SinThe complete destruction of Lachish serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and disobedience. We should strive to live holy lives, set apart for God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the conquest of Lachish demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises to Israel? 2. In what ways can we see the balance of faith and action in Joshua's leadership, and how can we apply this balance in our own lives? 3. What does the destruction of Lachish teach us about the seriousness of sin and God's judgment? 4. How can we recognize and acknowledge God's hand in the victories and successes in our own lives? 5. How does the account of Lachish connect with the broader account of God's plan for Israel, and what lessons can we draw for our own journey of faith? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 7:1-2This passage outlines God's command to Israel to conquer and utterly destroy the nations in Canaan, which provides context for the actions taken in Joshua 10:32. Joshua 1:5-9God's promise to Joshua of His presence and support in conquering the land, which is fulfilled in the victories over cities like Lachish. Psalm 44:3This verse highlights that victories come not by human strength but by God's favor, echoing the divine assistance seen in Joshua 10:32. Hebrews 11:30The faith of the Israelites in God's promises is emphasized, which is a key element in their military successes. People Adonizedec, Amorites, Debir, Eglon, Gibeon, Hoham, Horam, Israelites, Japhia, Jasher, Joshua, PiramPlaces Ai, Azekah, Beth-horon, Debir, Eglon, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilgal, Hebron, Jarmuth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kadesh-barnea, Lachish, Libnah, Makkedah, Negeb, Valley of AijalonTopics Captured, Captureth, Delivered, Edge, Giveth, Hands, Joshua, Lachish, Libnah, Mercy, Mouth, Putting, Smiteth, Smote, Souls, Struck, Sword, ThereinDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 10:29-42 5214 attack Joshua 10:29-43 5354 invasions Library Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas IscariotPraying Saints of the Old Testaments
The Holy Spirit will give to the praying saint the brightness of an immortal hope, the music of a deathless song, in His baptism and communion with the heart, He will give sweeter and more enlarged visions of heaven until the taste for other things will pall, and other visions will grow dim and distant. He will put notes of other worlds in human hearts until all earth's music is discord and songless.--Rev. E. M. Bounds Old Testament history is filled with accounts of praying saints. The leaders of …
Edward M. Bounds—Prayer and Praying Men Gibeon. Josh 10:06
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John Newton—Olney Hymns The Northern Coast of Judea. Beth-Horon.
This coast is marked out Joshua 18:12; where, at verse 14, are very many versions to be corrected, which render the sea; such are, the Syriac, the Seventy, the Vulgar, the Italian, ours, &c.: whence ariseth a sense of insuperable difficulty to a chorographical eye: when it should, indeed, be rendered of the west, as the Chaldee, Arabic, R. Solomon, &c. rightly do. We read of a double Beth-horon in the Old Testament, but one only under the second Temple... At that place that great Canaanitish army …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sign Seekers, and the Enthusiast Reproved.
(Galilee on the Same Day as the Last Section.) ^A Matt. XII. 38-45; ^C Luke XI. 24-36. ^c 29 And when the multitudes were gathering together unto him, ^a 38 Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered him, saying, Teacher, we would see a sign from thee. [Having been severely rebuked by Jesus, it is likely that the scribes and Pharisees asked for a sign that they might appear to the multitude more fair-minded and open to conviction than Jesus had represented them to be. Jesus had just wrought …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Subjects of Study. Home Education in Israel; Female Education. Elementary Schools, Schoolmasters, and School Arrangements.
If a faithful picture of society in ancient Greece or Rome were to be presented to view, it is not easy to believe that even they who now most oppose the Bible could wish their aims success. For this, at any rate, may be asserted, without fear of gainsaying, that no other religion than that of the Bible has proved competent to control an advanced, or even an advancing, state of civilisation. Every other bound has been successively passed and submerged by the rising tide; how deep only the student …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6 Meditations of the True Manner of Practising Piety on the Sabbath-Day.
Almighty God will have himself worshipped, not only in a private manner by private persons and families, but also in a more public sort, of all the godly joined together in a visible church; that by this means he may be known not only to be the God and Lord of every Singular person, but also of the creatures of the whole universal world. Question--But why do not we Christians under the New, keep the Sabbath on the same seventh day on which it was kept under the Old Testament? I answer--Because our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Divine Support and Protection
[What shall we say then to these things?] If God be for us, who can be against us? T he passions of joy or grief, of admiration or gratitude, are moderate when we are able to find words which fully describe their emotions. When they rise very high, language is too faint to express them; and the person is either lost in silence, or feels something which, after his most laboured efforts, is too big for utterance. We may often observe the Apostle Paul under this difficulty, when attempting to excite …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2 Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 10:32 NIVJoshua 10:32 NLTJoshua 10:32 ESVJoshua 10:32 NASBJoshua 10:32 KJV
Joshua 10:32 Commentaries
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