Finally Joshua and all Israel with him turned toward Debir and fought against it. Finally Joshua and all Israel with himThis phrase marks a continuation and culmination of a series of military campaigns led by Joshua. The Hebrew root for "Joshua" is יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (Yehoshua), meaning "The LORD is salvation." This name is significant as it underscores Joshua's role as a divinely appointed leader, guiding Israel in fulfilling God's promises. The phrase "all Israel with him" emphasizes the unity and collective effort of the Israelites, reflecting the importance of communal obedience and faith in God's directives. Historically, this unity was crucial for the conquest of Canaan, as it demonstrated the strength and resolve of the nation under God's guidance. turned toward Debir
The act of "turning toward" indicates a strategic decision and a shift in focus. Debir, known in earlier texts as Kiriath-Sepher, was a significant Canaanite city. The Hebrew root for "Debir" (דְּבִיר) can mean "sanctuary" or "oracle," suggesting that this city may have held religious or cultural importance. Archaeological findings suggest that Debir was a fortified city, which would have posed a considerable challenge to the Israelites. The decision to turn toward Debir signifies a deliberate and courageous move to confront and overcome a formidable obstacle, trusting in God's promise of victory. and fought against it
The phrase "fought against it" highlights the active engagement in battle, a recurring theme in the book of Joshua. The Hebrew verb לָחַם (lacham) means "to fight" or "to wage war," and it conveys the intensity and determination required in the conquest. This action is not merely a physical battle but also a spiritual one, as the Israelites are executing God's judgment against the Canaanite nations. The historical context of ancient warfare involved not only military might but also reliance on divine favor. For the Israelites, each battle was an opportunity to demonstrate their faith and obedience to God, who had promised them the land. This phrase serves as a reminder of the spiritual warfare that believers face, encouraging them to rely on God's strength and promises in their own battles. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel, successor to Moses, and a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. Known for his faithfulness and obedience to God's commands. 2. IsraelThe nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are engaged in the conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership. 3. DebirA Canaanite city targeted by Joshua and the Israelites during their campaign to take possession of the land God promised them. It was a significant city in the southern part of Canaan. 4. The Conquest of CanaanA series of military campaigns led by Joshua to take control of the land promised to the Israelites by God. This event is a fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham. 5. The Southern CampaignA specific phase in the conquest where Joshua and the Israelites focused on defeating the southern Canaanite cities, including Debir. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsJoshua's actions demonstrate the importance of following God's instructions without hesitation. Believers are called to trust and obey God's Word in their lives. Faith in ActionThe conquest of Debir is a testament to the power of faith in God's promises. Christians are encouraged to act on their faith, trusting in God's provision and guidance. Spiritual WarfareThe physical battles of the Israelites can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual battles. Believers are reminded to put on the full armor of God and fight against spiritual forces of evil. God's FaithfulnessThe successful conquest of Canaan, including Debir, underscores God's faithfulness to His promises. Christians can find assurance in God's unchanging nature and His commitment to fulfill His promises. Community and UnityJoshua and all Israel fought together, highlighting the importance of unity and community in achieving God's purposes. Believers are encouraged to work together in their spiritual journeys. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Joshua's leadership in the conquest of Debir reflect his obedience to God's commands, and how can we apply this principle of obedience in our daily lives? 2. In what ways does the conquest of Debir demonstrate the importance of faith in action, and how can we apply this in facing our own challenges? 3. How can the concept of spiritual warfare, as seen in the conquest of Canaan, be applied to the spiritual battles we face today? 4. What does the successful conquest of Debir teach us about God's faithfulness, and how can this assurance impact our trust in God's promises? 5. How can the unity and community demonstrated by Joshua and the Israelites in their campaign be applied to our relationships within the church and our broader Christian community? Connections to Other Scriptures Joshua 10:29-37Provides context for the conquest of Debir, detailing the victories over other southern cities like Libnah, Lachish, and Eglon, showing the systematic approach of Joshua's campaign. Deuteronomy 7:1-2God's command to Israel to conquer and utterly destroy the nations in Canaan, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's instructions in the conquest. Hebrews 11:30-31Highlights the faith of Joshua and the Israelites in the conquest of Jericho, which can be seen as a parallel to their faith-driven actions in the conquest of Debir. 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 Assaulted, Attack, Attacked, Debir, Fighteth, Fought, Joshua, Returned, TurnethDictionary 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 10:38 NIVJoshua 10:38 NLTJoshua 10:38 ESVJoshua 10:38 NASBJoshua 10:38 KJV
Joshua 10:38 Commentaries
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