The Sun Stands Still

The Sun Stands Still

Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; Jos. 10:1

came to pass... This is the first time the word "king" is found in Scripture in connection with Jerusalem, but it is used 86 times with other cities, before this. Once in the N.T., Melchizedek is called "king of Salem," which was the ancient name of Jerusalem (Heb. 7:1-3; Gen. 14:18; Psm. 76:2). The word Adonizedek (Jos. 10:1) means "lord of righteousness"; it is equivalent to "king of righteousness," used of Melchizedek. These were the official names of the kings of Jerusalem.

king of Jerusalem... This is also the first time that Jerusalem is mentioned in Scripture. It means city of peace, or foundation of peace. It is one of the ironies of history that the city with such a name has seen so little peace, and that for its possession rivers of blood have been shed. It was originally also called "Jebus" (Jdg. 19:10-11; 1Ch. 4:5; 2Sa. 5:6-9), the old name of "Jerus." It is called "Jebusi" (Jdg. 18:16, 18:28); "Ariel" (Isa. 29:1); "the city of righteousness" (Isa. 1:26); and "holy city" (Isa. 48:2; 52:1; Neh. 11:1). David captured the city from the Jebusites and made it the capital of united Israel (2Sa. 5:6-9). It remained the capital until the division of the kingdom about 1,000 B.C. Jerusalem then continued to be the capital of Judah until 606 B.C. when it was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar. It became the capital of Israel again about 546 B.C. and remained so until the nation and city were destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. Jerusalem has undergone no less than 28 sieges from Joshua’s time to the present, 10 sieges beginning from Joshua to Nebuchadnezzar (Jdg. 1:8; 2Sa. 5:6-10; 1Ki. 14:25; 2 Ki. 18:13-19:37; 2Ch. 21:16-17; 28:5-15; 36:1-2). In the period between the close of the O.T. to 70 A.D. it was besieged 10 times. Since then it has been besieged 8 times to 1917 A.D., 9 times if we consider the recent war between the Jews and Arabs (1967). Jerusalem has a future as the capital of Israel and of the Antichrist (Eze. 37:1-28; Dan. 9:27-11:40-45; 2Th. 2:3-4; Rev. 11:1-11), and as the eternal capital in the reign of Jesus Christ (Isa. 2:1-22; Eze. 48:1-35; Joel 3:1-21; Amos 9:9-15; Oba. 1:15-21; Mic. 4:1-13; Zec. 14:1-21).

heard how Joshua... The king of Jerusalem had heard of three things:

1. The destruction of Jericho

2. The destruction of Ai

3. The surrender of Gibeon

That they feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, as one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all the men thereof were mighty. Jos. 10:2

The handwriting was on the wall. Jerusalem’s security was being severely threatened. If the advances of Israel’s armies continued without challenge Jerusalem would soon be surrounded and captured.

Wherefore Adonizedek king of Jerusalem sent unto Hoham king of Hebron, and unto Piram king of Jarmuth, and unto Japhia king of Lachish, and unto Debir king of Eglon, saying, Jos. 10:3

sent unto... So the king of Jerusalem sent an urgent message to four other kings of southern Canaan stressing the fact that Gibeon had made peace with Israel, a traitorous and punishable act.

Come up unto me, and help me, that we may smite Gibeon: for it hath made peace with Joshua and with the children of Israel. Jos. 10:4

Come up unto... This might pave the way for other cities to surrender in like manner. It was a signal for war. Immediate action had to be taken against Gibeon.

Therefore the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, the king of Eglon, gathered themselves together, and went up, they and all their hosts, and encamped before Gibeon, and made war against it. Jos. 10:5

five kings of... This was a mistake, for they needed to save themselves to fight Israel; but it gave Joshua the occasion for his next move (Jos. 10:5-15).

And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. Jos. 10:6

And the men... Faced with certain slaughter, the Gibeonites sent a runner to Joshua in… Gilgal with an insistent appeal for help against the overwhelming force that pressed on them.

Appeal for help... But why should Joshua respond to this cry for help from the very people who had deceived him? Why not just sit back and let the Canaanites fight among themselves? The Israelites would then be rid of evidence of an embarrassing failure.

So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour. Jos. 10:7

So Joshua ascended... Joshua inquired of the Lord before making this move, as is clear from the fact that God answered him in Jos. 10:8. Joshua had learned the hard way to seek God in all things (cp. Jos. 10:14).

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. Jos. 10:8

the LORD said... The 10th prophecy in Joshua (Jos. 10:8, fulfilled in Jos. 10:10-42). Next, Jos. 10:25. Two predictions to Joshua:

1. I have delivered them into your hands.

2. No man shall be able to stand before you.

Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. Jos. 10:9

unto them suddenly... After an all-night march, Joshua suddenly attacked the five kings of south Israel and the Lord gave Israel complete victory which put them in possession of all this part of Canaan (Jos. 10:8-14).

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. Jos. 10:10

Lord discomfited them... Two things that God did in this battle:

1. God confused the enemy, enabling Israel to get a speedy victory.

2. God cast down great hailstones from heaven so that more died from the miraculous hail than from the sword of Israel (Jos. 10:11).

And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. Jos. 10:11

died with hailstones... Hailstones of unusual size have been recorded throughout history. On the Upper Rhine, in 1492, one fell which weighed 260 lbs. In 1510 near Padua, Italy about 1,200 stones fell, some weighing 120 lbs. In 1762 near Verona there were some weighing 200 to 300 lbs. Two miraculous hailstorms of history:

1. Upon Egypt (Exo. 9:18-10:15; Psm. 78:47)

2. In this battle (Jos. 10:11)

they were more... Four miraculous hailstorms of prophecy:

1. During the first trumpet (Rev. 8:7)

2. During the seventh trumpet (Rev. 12:1-17:19)

3. During the seventh vial (Rev. 16:17-21)

4. During Armageddon (Eze. 38:17-22)

Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. Jos. 10:12

and he said... The first time that man commanded the solar system to stand still, and it obeyed (Jos. 10:12-13). Later, God listened to Hezekiah and turned the solar system backward ten degrees (2Ki. 20:9-11; Isa. 38:8).

stand thou still... Hebrew: damam, from damah, to be dumb; be silent; stop; cease; hold peace; quiet self; rest; stand still; tarry; wait. The sun and moon stopped influencing the earth which in turn stopped revolving.

Valley of Ajalon... Ajalon was a city in a valley of the same name, between Jerusalem and Ekron (2Ch. 28:18; compare a town in Zebulon by that name, Jos. 19:42). It was over the valley that Joshua saw the moon rising as the sun was setting over Gibeon. He commanded both to stay where they were, and God listened to him (Jos. 10:14).

And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day. Jos. 10:13

And the sun... Eight Scientific and Biblical Facts

1. This was a genuine miracle. The sun and moon either stopped their influences on the earth, or stood still (see Jos. 10:12).

2. It is not the only miracle involving the sun:

(1) Historically: The earth was totally dark for an indefinite period (Gen. 1:2); there was darkness in Egypt for three full days (Exo. 10:21-23); the shadow of the sun went back ten degrees on the sun dial of Ahaz (2Ki. 20:11; Isa. 38:8); the sun went down at noon and the earth was darkened when Israel fell to Babylon (Amos 8:9); and there was darkness for three hours when Christ was crucified (Luke 23:44-45).

(2) Prophetically: The sun will be darkened in the sixth seal (Rev. 6:12-17), the fourth trumpet (Rev. 8:12), the fifth trumpet (Rev. 9:2), the fifth vial (Rev. 16:10), and at the second advent of Christ and Armageddon (Isa. 13:10; Eze. 32:7; Joel 2:10, 2:31; 3:15; Mat. 24:29-31).

3. The rising and setting of the sun is man’s expression for the earth turning on its axis so that only part of it is toward the sun at a given time. The earth’s rotation makes it appear that the sun is actually moving around this globe. The sun does travel through the heavens, making its own prescribed circuit, as do all stars and planets.

4. It is in God’s power to stop the movements of all or part of the solar system, if He sees fit to do so to further His purpose. As the Sovereign Creator of the laws of nature, He may suspend those laws anytime or anywhere He pleases.

5. It is believed that the command for the sun to stand still was given about the time of its setting for several reasons:

(1) The sun was over Gibeon at the time (Jos. 10:12). Looking back from the east where Joshua and his men were pursuing, it could be seen setting in the sky over Gibeon.

(2) The moon was coming up over the valley of Ajalon (Jos. 10:12) and could not have been seen with the naked eye in the afternoon sun.

(3) The statement that the sun "hasted not to go about a whole day" indicates that it was setting at the time the command was given (Jos. 10:13).

(4) If it had been in the middle of the day, Joshua would not have known whether he and his people could avenge themselves before the day was over because he would have had six hours or more left in which to fight.

6. Joshua spoke to the sun and moon, not the earth, for they are the influences causing tides and seasons and day and night and must influence the rotation of the earth (Gen. 1:14-18).

7. The earth’s rotation could suddenly stop without noticeable change for its inhabitants other than the appearance of the heavens, so what is recorded in Jos. 10:12-14 could have happened without being disastrous to the earth and its peoples.

8. Greece, Egypt, China, and Mexico have records of a long day (or night) corresponding to the time of Joshua. By counting the equinoxes, eclipses, and transits backward from our day to his, and counting them from the prime date of creation (re-creation) on to Joshua’s time, a whole day is missing. Mathematically, such a conclusion is unavoidable.

the moon stayed... Hebrew: ‛amad, to stand; abide; cease; remain; be still; tarry; be firm (Jos. 10:13; Deut. 10:10; 1Sa. 20:19; 30:9; 2Ki. 4:6).

until the people... Until—a whole day more of fighting (Jos. 10:13-14). This was a miracle in itself: God strengthened the army of Joshua, for they fought three whole days and one night:

1. The day that news came to Joshua (Jos. 10:6)

2. The night of the march (Jos. 10:9)

3. The day of the battle (Jos. 10:10-11)

4. The extra day of the battle when the sun did not go down (Jos. 10:12-14)

Is not this... Question 14. Next, Jos. 15:18.

book of Jasher... This is variously translated in different versions: The book of Jasher, of the Just, of the Pious, of the Upright, of the Songs, of Heroes, of the Righteous, and in the true Records. It is not mentioned in the Septuagint. The book of Jasher is referred to twice in Scripture—here and in 2Sa. 1:18. It is said to be a collection of triumphal odes composed by different men to celebrate their notable victories, or by one man (Jasher) who wrote of such victories.

And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel. Jos. 10:14

no day like... There was, however, a day when the sun turned backward ten degrees (2Ki. 20:9-11).

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. Jos. 10:15

And Joshua returned... This verse, which is exactly like Jos. 10:43, is omitted in the Septuagint. Either a copyist accidently duplicated Jos. 10:43 and then continued with Jos. 10:16, or Jos. 10:15 should refer to Makkedah (as in Jos. 10:21) where Joshua set up a temporary camp while the work of Jos. 10:16-42 was carried on, after which he returned to Gilgal.

Five Amorite Kings Executed

But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah. And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them: Jos. 10:16, 17, 18

are found hid... Set men by it to keep them in the cave.

And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand. Jos. 10:19

stay ye not... they pursued the Amorite soldiers, killing all but a few who escaped to their fortified cities.

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. Jos. 10:20

till they were... Until all they could catch were destroyed. The remnant entered walled cities to tell the story.

And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. Jos. 10:21

all the people... This should help explain Jos. 10:15 where it is said that Joshua and all Israel returned to the camp at Gilgal, which perhaps should be Makkedah, as here.

none moved his... This expression, found in similar form in Exo. 11:7, means that the events happened so fast and were so divinely executed that all knew that God was supernaturally fighting for Israel. Therefore, they feared both Israel and God. With great hailstones falling from heaven to destroy thousands, the sun and moon standing still a whole day, and so many other strange things happening, Israel’s enemies did not know what to expect next.

Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave. Jos. 10:22

Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.] Seven commands—conquest of Canaan:

1. Sun, stand still over Gibeon; and moon in the valley of Ajalon (Jos. 10:12).

2. Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to keep them (Jos. 10:18).

3. Do not stay, but pursue your enemies and kill them (Jos. 10:19).

4. Do not let them enter the cities.

5. Open the mouth of the cave, and bring the five kings out to me (Jos. 10:22).

6. Put your feet on their necks (Jos. 10:24).

7. Fear not, nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage (Jos. 10:25).

And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. Jos. 10:23

and brought forth... In the battle of Ai only one king was captured and brought before Joshua (Jos. 8:23, 8:29). Now five were brought to him. He hung the first, but killed these and hung them on trees until evening (Jos. 10:23-27). Counting the one at Jericho this made seven kings destroyed so far (Jos. 8:23, 8:29; 10:1, 10:23-27; 12:9-12).

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. Jos. 10:24

Come near... This was done to encourage Israel to believe that all their enemies would likewise be destroyed (Jos. 10:24-25).

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. Jos. 10:25

And Joshua said... The 11th prophecy in Joshua (Jos. 10:25, fulfilled, Jos. 12:1-24). Next, Jos. 11:6.

And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening. Jos. 10:26

until the evening... and they were hanging upon the trees.

And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day. Jos. 10:27

and cast them... Then they were thrown into the cave which was blocked by great rocks, as had been done earlier (Jos. 10:18). These rocks became another memorial of Israel’s victorious march through Canaan.

And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho. Jos. 10:28

And that day... Makkedah became Judah’s in the division of Canaan. It was about 14 miles southwest of Jerusalem (Jos. 10:10, 10:16-17, 10:21, 10:28-29; 12:16; 15:41). The place was not very prominent, being mentioned only in these scriptures.

he utterly destroyed... See Deut. 7:2; 12:2; 20:17.

Conquest of Southern Canaan

Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah: Jos. 10:29

Joshua passed from... Libnah became the possession of Judah. It was but a village as late as the fourth century of the Christian era; its ruins have since disappeared (Jos. 10:29-39; 12:15; 15:42). It was one of the cities given to the priests (Jos. 21:13; 1Ch. 6:57). In the reign of Joram its inhabitants joined the Edomites in a revolt against Judah (2Ki. 8:22; 2Ch. 21:10). It was besieged by Sennacherib in Hezekiah’s reign (2Ki. 19:8; Isa. 37:8). The daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah was the wife of Josiah and the mother of Jehoahaz and Zedekiah (2Ki. 23:31; 24:18; Jer. 52:1). Libnah was about 10 miles southeast of Lachish. There was another Libnah in the wilderness between Rimmon-perez and Rissah (Num. 33:20-21), which was probably the Laban of Deut. 1:1.

And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho. Jos. 10:30

delivered it also... "Also" proves the Lord had given them victory at Makkedah of Jos. 10:9.

And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it: Jos. 10:31

Fifteen Cities Taken in the First Campaign

1. Jericho (Jos. 6:1-27)

2. Ai (Jos. 8:1-35)

3. Gibeon (Jos. 9:1-27)

4. Chephirah (Jos. 9:17)

5. Beeroth (Jos. 9:17)

6. Kirjath-jearim (Jos. 9:17)

7. Makkedah (Jos. 10:28)

8. Libnah (Jos. 9:1-27:29-30)

9. Lachish (Jos. 9:1-27:31-32)

10. Gezer (Jos. 10:33)

11. Eglon (Jos. 10:34-35)

12. Hebron (Jos. 10:36-37)

13. Debir (Jos. 10:38-39)

14. Kadesh-barnea (Jos. 10:40-41)

15. Gaza and all the surrounding country (Jos. 10:40-43)

And the LORD delivered Lachish into the hand of Israel, which took it on the second day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein, according to all that he had done to Libnah. Jos. 10:32

the second day... The second day after they laid siege to it. It was not so easily conquered by the Assyrians (2Ki. 18:17; 19:8; 2Ch. 32:9) or the Babylonians (Jer. 34:7).

Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining. Jos. 10:33

Then Horam... Mentioned only here.

king of Gezer... Supposedly located near Azotus in Philistia, was formerly under the suzerainty of Egypt (1Ch. 20:4). It was taken by Joshua (Jos. 10:33; 12:12) and given to the Levites (Jos. 21:21; 1Ch. 6:67; 7:28). Gezer did not remain conquered (Jdg. 1:29); it warred against David with the Philistines (1Ch. 20:4); then it was taken by Egypt in Solomon’s reign (1Ki. 9:15-17). There was another Gezer in Ephraim (Jos. 16:3).

And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it: Jos. 10:34

passed unto Eglon... Was not far from Lachish in south Israel. It was taken by Joshua (Jos. 10:3, 10:5, 10:23, 10:34-37; 12:12) and given to Judah (Jos. 15:2, 15:39).

And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish. Jos. 10:35

he utterly destroyed... See Deut. 7:2; 12:2; 20:17.

And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it: Jos. 10:36

Joshua went up... Hebron was about 38 miles south of Jerusalem, in the Judah portion of the land (Jos. 10:3-5, 10:23, 10:36-39; 12:10; 14:13-15). One of the most ancient and important cities of southern Israel, it was said to have been founded before Zoan in Egypt (Num. 13:22). Its ancient name was Kirjath-arba (Jdg. 1:10), and it was called Arba for the father of Anak who founded one of the mighty races of giants (Jos. 14:12; 15:14). Abram dwelled here for many years after coming into Canaan (Gen. 13:18), and from here he rescued Lot (Gen. 14:1-24). Here is where his name was changed to Abraham (Gen. 17:5), where God and two angels came to visit him, and where Isaac was finally announced (Gen. 18:1-33). Hebron is where Sarah died (Gen. 23:1-20), Isaac and Jacob spent most of their lives (Gen. 35:27; 37:14), and the patriarchs were buried (Gen. 49:30; 50:13). Jacob and his family went to Egypt from here (Gen. 46:1), and the spies got their grapes near here (Num. 13:22). Hebron became one of the Levite cities (Jos. 21:10) and a city of refuge (Jos. 20:7). David was received with kindness at this place; later he was anointed king and reigned over seven years here (1Sa. 30:31; 2Sa. 5:3-5). It is where six of his sons were born (2Sa. 3:2), where Abner was slain (2Sa. 3:27), and Absalom rebelled (2Sa. 15:7). The city was fortified by Rehoboam (2Ch. 11:10). Jews from the captivity settled here (Neh. 11:25). The Maccabees recovered it from Edom in the period after the close of the O.T. (1 Macc. 5:65). The Romans burned it in their war against the Jews in 70 A.D. Because of its history, it was respected by the Crusaders, and has retained importance during the Muslim period because of its past relationship with Abraham. There were two men in Scripture called "Hebron"—a Levite (Exo. 6:18; Num. 3:19, 3:27; 1Ch. 6:2, 6:18; 23:12, 23:19) and a descendant of Caleb (1Ch. 2:42-43).

And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein. Jos. 10:37

the king thereof... Joshua had killed the king of Hebron, one of the five kings whom he hung on trees (Jos. 10:3, 10:17-26). Here his successor was also destroyed.

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it: Jos. 10:38

And Joshua returned... Returned to Debir (changed direction) toward the south to conquer it.

to... Debir was about 7 miles south of Hebron. It was conquered by Joshua near the end of his southern campaign (Jos. 10:3, 10:38-39; 11:21; 12:13; 13:26). In Jos. 15:15-17; Jdg. 1:11-13 we have the account of Othniel capturing Debir and winning a wife. It is called Kirjath-sannah (Jos. 15:49), which is perhaps a corruption of Kirjath-sepher of Jos. 15:15-16; Jdg. 1:11-12. It was one time a city of giants, of the Anakim tribe (Jos. 11:21). Debir became a Levitical city (Jos. 21:15; 1Ch. 6:58). It must have been a sacred city of the pagans, as its name would indicate, for the Hebrew: debiyr is used in 1Ki. 6:5 to denote the holy of holies (oracle). There were two other towns called Debir—one between Judah and Benhamin (Jos. 15:7), which must have been east of Jerusalem on the Jericho road, and one on the border of Gad near Mahanaim (Jos. 13:26) which may be the Lodebar of 1Sa. 9:4.

And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king. Jos. 10:39

all the cities... All the cities round about Debir, Hebron, and Libnah.

So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded. Jos. 10:40

So Joshua smote... Summary of Joshua’s southern campaign:

1. All the hills—the hill country of Judea (Luke 1:39, 1:65)

2. All of the south

3. All of the vale

4. All of the springs

5. All of their kings

all that breathed... That is, all who resisted and were captured and destined to destruction; not all who fled the country, for many escaped and were spared (Num. 31:17-18; Deut. 21:10).

And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon. Jos. 10:41

Joshua smote them... This verse describes Joshua’s conquests south to Kadesh-barnea, west to Gaza near the Mediterranean in Philistia, and north to Gibeon. The Goshen mentioned here was not in Egypt, but in Israel. There was a city of this name, and the surrounding country was called the land of Goshen.

And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel. Jos. 10:42

at one time... Joshua took all the kings of all these places—south, west, and north—in one campaign (Jos. 10:41-42).

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal. Jos. 10:43

And Joshua returned... Joshua returned to Gilgal, which he had left to help the Gibeonites, as in Jos. 10:1-7 (Jos. 10:43; cp. 10:15).