At that time Horam king of Gezer went to help Lachish, but Joshua struck him down along with his people, leaving no survivors. At that timeThis phrase situates the events within a specific historical context, emphasizing the immediacy and continuity of the military campaign led by Joshua. The Hebrew root for "time" is "עֵת" (et), which often denotes a significant or appointed time. This suggests that the events were unfolding according to divine timing and purpose, reinforcing the belief in God's sovereign orchestration of history. Horam king of Gezer
Horam is identified as the king of Gezer, a city-state in ancient Canaan. The mention of a specific king and city highlights the historical and political realities of the time. Gezer was a significant Canaanite city, strategically located on the trade route between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Archaeological evidence supports its existence and importance during the Late Bronze Age. The name "Horam" is not widely attested outside this context, but his role as a king aligns with the common practice of city-states having their own rulers. went up to help Lachish
The phrase indicates a military alliance and the common practice of city-states coming to each other's aid. Lachish was another significant Canaanite city, and its defense would have been crucial for maintaining regional stability. The Hebrew verb "עָלָה" (alah), translated as "went up," often implies a movement towards a higher or more fortified position, suggesting the strategic importance of Lachish. but Joshua struck him down
This phrase underscores Joshua's role as a divinely appointed leader and warrior. The Hebrew verb "נָכָה" (nakah), meaning "to strike" or "to smite," conveys a decisive and forceful action. Joshua's victory is portrayed as an act of divine judgment against the Canaanite kings, fulfilling God's promise to give the land to the Israelites. along with his people
The inclusion of "his people" indicates the comprehensive nature of the defeat. It was not just the king who was defeated, but his entire military force. This reflects the totality of the conquest and the complete overthrow of Canaanite resistance. The phrase emphasizes the collective responsibility and fate of those who opposed Israel. leaving no survivors
This phrase highlights the thoroughness of the victory and the fulfillment of the divine command to completely destroy the Canaanite inhabitants. The Hebrew phrase "לֹא הִשְׁאִיר שָׂרִיד" (lo hish'ir sarid) conveys the idea of leaving nothing behind. From a conservative Christian perspective, this is seen as a necessary act to prevent the Israelites from being led astray by Canaanite practices and to establish a holy nation dedicated to God. Persons / Places / Events 1. HoramKing of Gezer, who attempted to aid Lachish against the Israelites. 2. GezerA Canaanite city-state whose king, Horam, sought to assist Lachish. 3. LachishA city in the southern part of Canaan, under attack by Joshua and the Israelites. 4. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, who led the conquest of Canaan. 5. The IsraelitesThe people of God, following Joshua in the conquest of the Promised Land. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in BattleThe defeat of Horam and his people demonstrates God's control over the outcomes of battles. Believers can trust in God's sovereignty in their own struggles. Obedience to God's CommandsJoshua's actions reflect obedience to God's command to conquer the land. Christians are called to obey God's Word, even when it requires difficult decisions. The Consequences of Opposing God's PeopleHoram's defeat serves as a warning about the consequences of opposing God's plans and His people. It reminds believers of the importance of aligning with God's purposes. The Importance of Community SupportHoram's attempt to support Lachish highlights the importance of alliances. In the Christian life, believers are encouraged to support one another in spiritual battles. The Fulfillment of God's PromisesThe conquest of Canaan, including the defeat of Gezer, is part of the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to Israel. This encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness to His promises. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the defeat of Horam and Gezer teach us about God's sovereignty in our personal battles? 2. How can we apply Joshua's obedience to God's commands in our daily lives? 3. In what ways does the account of Horam and Lachish serve as a warning against opposing God's plans? 4. How can we, as a Christian community, better support each other in our spiritual battles? 5. What are some promises of God that you are holding onto, and how does this passage encourage you to trust in their fulfillment? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 10:5-11Provides context for the battle at Lachish, where a coalition of Amorite kings, including the king of Lachish, fought against Israel. Exodus 23:31-33God's command to Israel to drive out the inhabitants of the land, which Joshua is fulfilling. Deuteronomy 20:16-18Instructions given to Israel regarding the complete destruction of certain Canaanite cities, which is relevant to the actions taken by Joshua. 1 Kings 9:15-17Mentions Gezer again, showing its continued significance in Israel's history. 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 Army, Death, Defeated, Gezer, Horam, Joshua, Lachish, None, Overcame, Putting, Remaining, Remnant, Smiteth, Smote, Struck, Survivor, Survivors, TillDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 10:33 5290 defeat 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 10:33 NIVJoshua 10:33 NLTJoshua 10:33 ESVJoshua 10:33 NASBJoshua 10:33 KJV
Joshua 10:33 Commentaries
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