And they captured Debir, its king, and all its villages. They put them to the sword and devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. Joshua did to Debir and its king as he had done to Hebron and as he had done to Libnah and its king. They captured itThis phrase signifies the complete and decisive victory that Joshua and the Israelites achieved over the city. The Hebrew root for "captured" is "לָכַד" (lakad), which implies seizing or taking possession. This action reflects God's promise to deliver the land into the hands of the Israelites, demonstrating His faithfulness and the fulfillment of His covenant. Historically, this conquest is part of the broader campaign in the southern region of Canaan, showcasing the strategic and divinely guided military efforts of Joshua. and its king
The mention of the king underscores the totality of the conquest. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the king was not only a political leader but also a representative of the city's deity and its people. By capturing the king, Joshua effectively dismantled the city's power structure and religious authority, symbolizing the triumph of the God of Israel over the pagan gods of Canaan. and all its villages
This phrase highlights the comprehensive nature of the victory. The Hebrew term for "villages" can also be translated as "settlements" or "surrounding areas," indicating that the Israelites did not just conquer the central city but also its dependent regions. This thorough approach ensured that no pockets of resistance remained, securing the land for the Israelites and preventing future threats. They struck them with the sword
The use of the sword as an instrument of judgment is significant. In the ancient world, the sword was a symbol of divine justice and authority. The Israelites' actions were not merely acts of war but were seen as executing God's judgment on the Canaanite nations, who were known for their idolatry and moral corruption. This phrase emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the righteousness of God's decrees. and completely destroyed everyone in it
The phrase "completely destroyed" comes from the Hebrew word "חָרַם" (charam), meaning to devote to destruction or to utterly annihilate. This concept of "herem" was a form of divine judgment, where certain things were set apart for God, often through destruction. It reflects the holiness of God and the need for His people to be separate from the corrupting influences of the Canaanites. leaving no survivors
This phrase underscores the totality of the judgment executed by the Israelites. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. From a theological perspective, it also points to the ultimate victory of God over evil, foreshadowing the final judgment where sin will be eradicated completely. Just as he had done to Hebron and to Debir
This comparison to previous victories reinforces the consistency and reliability of God's promises. Hebron and Debir were significant cities, and their mention here serves to remind the reader of the ongoing success of Joshua's campaign. It also highlights the pattern of obedience and faithfulness required from the Israelites to continue experiencing God's favor and victory. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, successor to Moses, and a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. He is known for his military leadership and faithfulness to God's commands. 2. DebirA Canaanite city that was conquered by Joshua and the Israelites. It was one of the cities in the southern campaign of the conquest of Canaan. 3. King of DebirThe ruler of Debir, who was defeated and killed by Joshua and the Israelites as part of their conquest. 4. HebronAnother significant city in Canaan that was previously conquered by Joshua. It was known for its association with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 5. LibnahA city in the Shephelah region of Judah, also conquered by Joshua. It was part of the southern campaign against the Canaanite cities. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsJoshua's actions demonstrate complete obedience to God's instructions. As believers, we are called to follow God's commands fully, even when they are difficult or challenging. The Consequences of SinThe destruction of Debir serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the judgment that comes upon those who oppose God's will. It calls us to examine our lives and repent of any sin. God's Sovereignty in JudgmentThe conquest of Canaan illustrates God's sovereignty and justice. It reassures us that God is in control and will ultimately bring about His purposes. Faithfulness in LeadershipJoshua's leadership is marked by faithfulness and courage. As leaders in our communities and families, we are encouraged to lead with integrity and trust in God's guidance. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joshua's obedience to God's command in Joshua 10:39 challenge us in our daily walk with God? 2. In what ways can the destruction of Debir be seen as a warning against the consequences of sin in our lives today? 3. How does the conquest of Canaan, as seen in Joshua 10:39, reflect God's sovereignty and justice? How can this understanding impact our view of current world events? 4. What qualities of Joshua's leadership can we apply to our roles in our families, workplaces, and communities? 5. How do the events in Joshua 10:39 connect with the broader account of God's plan for His people, and how can this perspective encourage us in our faith journey? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 7:1-2This passage outlines God's command to the Israelites to completely destroy the nations in Canaan, which provides the theological backdrop for Joshua's actions in Joshua 10:39. Joshua 6:21The destruction of Jericho parallels the events in Debir, showing a pattern of complete destruction as commanded by God. 1 Samuel 15:3God's command to Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites echoes the instructions given to Joshua, highlighting the theme of obedience to divine commands. 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 Cities, Debir, Destroyed, Edge, Hebron, Libnah, None, Remaining, Smote, Souls, Struck, Survivors, Sword, Thereof, Totally, UtterlyDictionary 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 10:39 NIVJoshua 10:39 NLTJoshua 10:39 ESVJoshua 10:39 NASBJoshua 10:39 KJV
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