Joshua 10:20
New International Version
So Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely, but a few survivors managed to reach their fortified cities.

New Living Translation
So Joshua and the Israelite army continued the slaughter and completely crushed the enemy. They totally wiped out the five armies except for a tiny remnant that managed to reach their fortified towns.

English Standard Version
When Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them with a great blow until they were wiped out, and when the remnant that remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,

Berean Standard Bible
So Joshua and the Israelites continued to inflict a terrible slaughter until they had finished them off, and the remaining survivors retreated to the fortified cities.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities.

New King James Version
Then it happened, while Joshua and the children of Israel made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they had finished, that those who escaped entered fortified cities.

New American Standard Bible
It came about when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them down in a very great defeat, until they were destroyed, and the survivors of them who escaped had entered the fortified cities,

NASB 1995
It came about when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished slaying them with a very great slaughter, until they were destroyed, and the survivors who remained of them had entered the fortified cities,

NASB 1977
And it came about when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished slaying them with a very great slaughter, until they were destroyed, and the survivors who remained of them had entered the fortified cities,

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them with a very great slaughter until they were completely destroyed, and the survivors—those of them who survived—had entered the fortified cities,

Amplified Bible
Now when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking the Amorites dead in a very great defeat, until they were wiped out, and the surviving remnant among them had entered the fortified cities,

Christian Standard Bible
So Joshua and the Israelites finished inflicting a terrible slaughter on them until they were destroyed, although a few survivors ran away to the fortified cities.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Joshua and the Israelites finished inflicting a terrible slaughter on them until they were destroyed, although a few survivors ran away to the fortified cities.

American Standard Version
And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,

Contemporary English Version
So Joshua and the Israelites almost wiped out the enemy soldiers. Only a few safely reached their walled towns.

English Revised Version
And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fenced cities,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Joshua and the Israelites defeated them decisively, almost destroying them. But some who survived got back into the fortified cities.

Good News Translation
Joshua and the men of Israel slaughtered them, although some managed to find safety inside their city walls and were not killed.

International Standard Version
Now it came about that after Joshua and the Israelis had finished the battle, destroying and scattering their survivors, who retreated into their fortified cities,

Majority Standard Bible
So Joshua and the Israelites continued to inflict a terrible slaughter until they had finished them off, and the remaining survivors retreated to the fortified cities.

NET Bible
Joshua and the Israelites almost totally wiped them out, but some survivors did escape to the fortified cities.

New Heart English Bible
It happened, when Joshua and the children of Israel had finished killing them with a very great slaughter until they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest who remained of them entered into fortified cities.

World English Bible
When Joshua and the children of Israel had finished killing them with a very great slaughter until they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, when Joshua and the sons of Israel finish to strike them [with] a very great striking until they are consumed, and the remnant who have remained of them go into the fortified cities,

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, when Joshua and the sons of Israel finish to smite them -- a very great smiting, till they are consumed, and the remnant who have remained of them go in unto the fenced cities,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be when Joshua finished, and the sons of Israel, smiting them an exceeding great blow till he finished them, and they escaping, escaped from them and they will go to the fortified cities.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
So the enemies being slain with a great slaughter, and almost utterly consumed, they that were able to escape from Israel, entered into fenced cities.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus, the adversaries were struck down in a great defeat, and having been nearly consumed, even to utter annihilation, those who were able to escape from Israel entered into fortified cities.

New American Bible
Once Joshua and the Israelites had finally inflicted the last blows in this very great slaughter, and the survivors had escaped from them into the fortified cities,

New Revised Standard Version
When Joshua and the Israelites had finished inflicting a very great slaughter on them, until they were wiped out, and when the survivors had entered into the fortified towns,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When Joshua and the children of Israel had finished slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were annihilated and no survivor was left of them; then they brought the men of Gibeon who had revolted against the kings into their walled cities.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Yeshua and the children of Israel finished destroying them with a great destruction until they were finished, and no survivor was left of them, and they brought those rebels of Gebuun to their fortress cities
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass when Joshua and all Israel ceased destroying them utterly with a very great slaughter, that they that escaped took refuge in the strong cities.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Victory at Makkedah
19But you, do not stop there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Do not let them reach their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.” 20 So Joshua and the Israelites continued to inflict a terrible slaughter until they had finished them off, and the remaining survivors retreated to the fortified cities. 21The whole army returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one dared to utter a word against the Israelites.…

Cross References
Exodus 23:27-28
I will send My terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn and run. / I will send the hornet before you to drive the Hivites and Canaanites and Hittites out of your way.

Deuteronomy 7:23-24
But the LORD your God will give them over to you and throw them into great confusion, until they are destroyed. / He will hand their kings over to you, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand against you; you will annihilate them.

Judges 4:15-16
And in front of him the LORD routed with the sword Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army. Sisera abandoned his chariot and fled on foot. / Then Barak pursued the chariots and army as far as Harosheth-hagoyim, and the whole army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a single man was left.

1 Samuel 7:10-11
As the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel, Samuel was offering up the burnt offering. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel. / Then the men of Israel charged out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, striking them down all the way to an area below Beth-car.

2 Samuel 22:38-39
I pursued my enemies and destroyed them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I devoured and crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.

Psalm 18:37-38
I pursued my enemies and overtook them; I did not turn back until they were consumed. / I crushed them so they could not rise; they have fallen under my feet.

Isaiah 41:11-12
Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing.

Isaiah 54:17
No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 1:19
They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.

Jeremiah 20:11
But the LORD is with me like a fearsome warrior. Therefore, my persecutors will stumble and will not prevail. Since they have not succeeded, they will be utterly put to shame, with an everlasting disgrace that will never be forgotten.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

1 Corinthians 15:57
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

2 Corinthians 2:14
But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

Ephesians 6:10-13
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ...

Philippians 1:28
without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.


Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities.

had made

Joshua 10:10
And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.

Joshua 8:24
And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.

2 Chronicles 13:17
And Abijah and his people slew them with a great slaughter: so there fell down slain of Israel five hundred thousand chosen men.

fenced cities

2 Samuel 20:6
And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.

Jeremiah 8:14
Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.

Jump to Previous
Almost Band Children Cities Complete Completely Consumed Death Destroyed Destruction End Ended Entered Israel Israelites Joshua Killing Reached Remnant Rest Safely Slaughter Slaying Small Survivors Walled War Wiped
Jump to Next
Almost Band Children Cities Complete Completely Consumed Death Destroyed Destruction End Ended Entered Israel Israelites Joshua Killing Reached Remnant Rest Safely Slaughter Slaying Small Survivors Walled War Wiped
Joshua 10
1. Five kings war against Gibeon
6. Joshua rescues it
10. God fights against them with hailstones
12. The sun and moon stand still at the word of Joshua
16. The five kings are murdered in a cave
22. They are brought forth
24. scornfully used
26. and hanged
28. Seven kings more are conquered
43. Joshua returns to Gilgal














So Joshua and the Israelites
This phrase highlights the leadership of Joshua and the unity of the Israelites. Joshua, whose name means "Yahweh is salvation," is a type of Christ, leading God's people into the Promised Land. The Israelites, as God's chosen people, are acting in obedience to God's command to conquer the land. This unity and obedience are crucial themes throughout the book of Joshua, emphasizing the importance of following God's guidance as a community.

finished inflicting a great slaughter
The phrase underscores the completeness of the victory. The Hebrew root for "finished" (כָּלָה, kalah) implies a sense of completion or fulfillment. This reflects God's promise to give the land to the Israelites and His faithfulness in fulfilling His word. The "great slaughter" indicates the severity of the battle and the decisive nature of God's intervention on behalf of His people. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the judgment that comes upon those who oppose God's will.

until they had destroyed the remaining survivors
This part of the verse speaks to the thoroughness of the Israelites' conquest. The Hebrew word for "destroyed" (שָׁמַד, shamad) often implies a complete and utter destruction, leaving nothing behind. This reflects the divine mandate given to the Israelites to remove all influences that could lead them away from God. It serves as a metaphor for the Christian life, where believers are called to remove sin and anything that hinders their relationship with God.

who retreated to the fortified cities
The retreat to "fortified cities" indicates the strategic nature of ancient warfare. These cities were often heavily defended and served as places of refuge. Historically, fortified cities were common in the ancient Near East, providing protection against invaders. Spiritually, this can be seen as a representation of the false security that people seek apart from God. Despite their defenses, these cities could not withstand the power of God working through His people, illustrating the futility of relying on worldly strength instead of divine protection.

Verse 20. - Until they were consumed. An expression not necessarily involving the destruction of every individual, but the entire annihilation of them as an army. A few scattered fugitives only remained, who sought the protection of the fortified towns. "Si ca quae per Moysen de tabernaculo vel sacrificiis, et omni illo cultu adumbrabantur, typus ct umbra dicuntur esse ccelestium, sine dubio et bella quae per Jesum geruntur, et regmn et hostium strages, ecelestium rerum umbra et typus esse dicenda aunt, eorum auntaxat bellorum quae Dominus noster Jesus cure suo exercitu et magistratibus id est credentium populis atquo eorum ducibus contra diabolum et ejus angelos praeliatur" (Orig., Hom. 12 on Joshua). Fenced cities. These were

(1) walled,

(2) crowned with battlements (פִנּות), and

(3) defended by towers. See for further information the article in Smith's 'Dictionary of the Bible.'

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

and the Israelites
וּבְנֵ֣י (ū·ḇə·nê)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

finished
כְּכַלּ֨וֹת (kə·ḵal·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-k | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent

inflicting
לְהַכּוֹתָ֛ם (lə·hak·kō·w·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 5221: To strike

a terrible
גְדוֹלָֽה־ (ḡə·ḏō·w·lāh-)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 1419: Great, older, insolent

slaughter
מַכָּ֥ה (mak·kāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4347: A wound, carnage, pestilence

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

they had finished them off,
תֻּמָּ֑ם (tum·mām)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8552: To be complete or finished

and the remaining
וְהַשְּׂרִידִים֙ (wə·haś·śə·rî·ḏîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8300: A survivor

survivors
שָׂרְד֣וּ (śā·rə·ḏū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8277: To puncture, to escape, survive

retreated
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ (way·yā·ḇō·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the fortified
הַמִּבְצָֽר׃ (ham·miḇ·ṣār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4013: A fortification, castle, fortified city, a defender

cities.
עָרֵ֥י (‘ā·rê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 5892: Excitement


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OT History: Joshua 10:20 It happened when Joshua and the children (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 10:19
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