Joshua 10:30
And the LORD also delivered that city and its king into the hand of Israel, and Joshua put all the people to the sword, leaving no survivors. And he did to the king of Libnah as he had done to the king of Jericho.
And the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the central role of God in the narrative. The Hebrew word for "LORD" here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, which signifies His eternal presence and faithfulness to His people. In the context of Joshua, it underscores that the victories Israel experiences are not by their own might but by divine intervention. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God is sovereign and actively involved in the affairs of His people.

also delivered
The Hebrew root for "delivered" is "nathan," which means to give or to hand over. This conveys the idea that God is actively granting victory to Israel. It is not merely a passive allowance but an intentional act of God’s will. This highlights the belief that God is the ultimate source of success and deliverance, reinforcing the idea that Israel's victories are a fulfillment of divine promise rather than human achievement.

it
The pronoun "it" refers to the city of Libnah. This specificity indicates that God’s deliverance is not abstract but concrete and particular. Each city conquered by Israel is a testament to God’s faithfulness to His promises. The mention of "it" serves as a reminder that God’s promises are fulfilled in real, tangible ways.

and its king
The inclusion of "its king" signifies the complete overthrow of Libnah’s political and military power. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the king was often seen as the embodiment of the city’s strength and authority. By delivering both the city and its king into Israel’s hands, God demonstrates His supremacy over earthly powers and rulers.

into the hand of Israel
The phrase "into the hand of Israel" uses the Hebrew word "yad," meaning hand, which symbolizes power and possession. This indicates that Israel is now in control, having received authority and dominion over Libnah. It reflects the fulfillment of God’s promise to give the land to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reinforcing the covenantal relationship between God and Israel.

and Joshua
Joshua, whose name means "Yahweh is salvation," is the leader chosen by God to succeed Moses. His role is pivotal as the human agent through whom God’s will is enacted. Joshua’s leadership is characterized by obedience and faith, serving as a model for godly leadership. His actions in this verse demonstrate his reliance on God’s guidance and strength.

struck it
The verb "struck" comes from the Hebrew "nakah," which means to smite or defeat. This action signifies the decisive and complete nature of the victory. It is a reminder of the seriousness of God’s judgment against those who oppose His people and purposes. The use of this word underscores the thoroughness of the conquest.

with the edge of the sword
This phrase indicates the method of conquest, which was common in ancient warfare. The "edge of the sword" symbolizes the totality of the destruction and the finality of the victory. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of opposing God’s will and the seriousness of His commands to Israel regarding the conquest of Canaan.

leaving no survivors
The phrase "leaving no survivors" reflects the concept of "herem," or the ban, which was a command for total destruction. This was not merely an act of war but a divine mandate to purify the land from idolatry and corruption. It underscores the holiness of God and the necessity of complete obedience to His commands.

just as he had done to its king
This phrase draws a parallel to previous victories, emphasizing consistency in God’s actions and Joshua’s obedience. It serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and the importance of following His instructions fully. The repetition of victory reinforces the theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of Israel, successor to Moses, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. Known for his military leadership and faithfulness to God.

2. Libnah
A Canaanite city that was conquered by Joshua and the Israelites. Its defeat is part of the broader campaign to take possession of the Promised Land.

3. The LORD
The God of Israel, who is depicted as actively delivering the enemies of Israel into their hands, demonstrating His sovereignty and faithfulness to His promises.

4. King of Libnah
The ruler of the city of Libnah, who was defeated and killed by Joshua, similar to the fate of the king of Jericho.

5. King of Jericho
Previously defeated by Joshua, serving as a precedent for the conquest of Libnah, illustrating a pattern of divine victory.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Battle
The passage emphasizes that it is the LORD who delivers victories. Believers can trust in God's power and sovereignty in their own battles, whether spiritual or physical.

Obedience to God's Commands
Joshua's actions reflect strict adherence to God's instructions. Christians are called to obey God's Word, trusting that His commands are for their ultimate good.

Faithfulness to God's Promises
The conquest of Libnah is a fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land. This encourages believers to hold fast to God's promises, knowing He is faithful to fulfill them.

The Seriousness of Sin
The complete destruction of Libnah serves as a reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin and disobedience. It calls believers to examine their own lives and repent of sin.

God's Role in Leadership
Joshua's leadership is effective because it is under God's direction. This teaches the importance of seeking God's guidance in leadership roles within the church and personal life.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the conquest of Libnah demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises to Israel, and how can this encourage us in our own faith journey?

2. In what ways does Joshua's obedience to God's commands challenge us to live out our faith in today's world?

3. How can we apply the principle of God's sovereignty in battle to the spiritual battles we face in our lives?

4. What lessons can we learn from the complete destruction of Libnah about the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance?

5. How does Joshua's leadership under God's guidance serve as a model for Christian leadership today, both in the church and in personal life?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 7:1-2
This passage outlines God's command to Israel to conquer and utterly destroy the nations in the Promised Land, which provides context for the actions taken by Joshua in Libnah.

Joshua 6:21
The destruction of Jericho, where Joshua and the Israelites left no survivors, parallels the events in Libnah, showing a consistent pattern of obedience to God's commands.

Psalm 44:3
This verse highlights that victories come not by human strength but by God's favor, aligning with the theme of divine intervention in Joshua's conquests.
Divine SovereigntySketches of SermonsJoshua 10:28-43
The Old Camp and the New FoeA. B. Mackay.Joshua 10:28-43
People
Adonizedec, Amorites, Debir, Eglon, Gibeon, Hoham, Horam, Israelites, Japhia, Jasher, Joshua, Piram
Places
Ai, Azekah, Beth-horon, Debir, Eglon, Gaza, Gezer, Gibeon, Gilgal, Hebron, Jarmuth, Jericho, Jerusalem, Kadesh-barnea, Lachish, Libnah, Makkedah, Negeb, Valley of Aijalon
Topics
Complete, Delivered, Destruction, Edge, Giveth, Hands, Jericho, Joshua, Mouth, None, Remaining, Remnant, Smiteth, Smote, Souls, Struck, Survivor, Survivors, Sword, Therein, Thereof, Thus, Till
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Joshua 10:30

     1305   God, activity of

Joshua 10:29-30

     4207   land, divine gift

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 Iscariot

Praying 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

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 10:30 NIV
Joshua 10:30 NLT
Joshua 10:30 ESV
Joshua 10:30 NASB
Joshua 10:30 KJV

Joshua 10:30 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Joshua 10:29
Top of Page
Top of Page