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.

JOSHUA 10:19KJV
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Joshua 10:19 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:19 mean?

Joshua 10:19 tells the Israelite army not to stop but to keep chasing their enemies, attacking those who are lagging behind, and not letting them escape into their fortified cities, because God has given them victory. The verse emphasizes urgent action and trust that God has already delivered their enemies into their hands.

Joshua, the leader of Israel, is speaking to his soldiers during a battle against a coalition of Canaanite kings. The situation is urgent: the enemy is fleeing, and Joshua commands his men to keep up the pursuit and prevent any survivors from reaching safety. The verse highlights both the military strategy and the belief that success comes from the LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh), who has handed over the enemy.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:19

  • "Stay" (עָמַד, 'amad) means to stand still or stop. Joshua is telling the soldiers not to pause or hesitate, stressing the need for continuous action.
  • "Pursue" (רָדַף, radaf) means to chase or follow closely. This word shows the intensity of the pursuit Joshua is commanding.
  • "Hindmost" (זָנָב, zanav) refers to the rear or those at the back of the enemy group. Joshua is instructing his men to target those who are straggling or falling behind, which would weaken the enemy further.
  • "Delivered" (נָתַן, natan) means to give or hand over. The verse uses this word to make clear that the victory is not just from military effort but because God has actively given the enemy into Israel’s power.

Why Joshua 10:19 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the victory is not just about military strength but about following God’s direction and recognizing His role in the outcome.
  • Joshua 10:19 connects to the larger story of the conquest of Canaan, showing how the Israelites were to act decisively and not allow their enemies to regroup or find safety.
  • The verse helps explain the urgency and strategy behind Israel’s actions, making it clear that hesitation could mean losing the advantage that God had provided.

Where else these words appear

“hindmost” Hebrew H2179 · used in 2 verses

  • Deuteronomy 25:18 How he met thee by the way, and smote the hindmost of thee, even all that were feeble behind thee, when thou wast faint and weary; and he feared not God.

“pursue” Hebrew H7291 · used in 135 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Judges 8:5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
  • Psalms 69:26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.