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.
JOSHUA 10:20KJVWhat does Joshua 10:20 mean?
Joshua 10:20 describes how Joshua and the Israelites defeated their enemies in battle, killing many of them until only a few survivors were left. Those who escaped fled into fortified cities for safety.
This verse is part of the account where Joshua leads Israel in battle against a coalition of Canaanite kings. After a decisive victory, most of the enemy army is destroyed, but a remnant manages to escape and takes refuge behind the walls of their strongholds. The verse highlights both the completeness of Israel’s victory and the fact that not all opposition was eliminated.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:20
- "Slaying" (נָכָה, nākhāh) means to strike or kill, emphasizing the intensity and thoroughness of the Israelites’ attack.
- "Very great" (מְאֹד גָּדוֹל, me’ōd gadōl) underscores the scale of the slaughter, showing this was not a minor skirmish but a significant and overwhelming defeat for the enemy.
- "Fenced" (מִבְצָר, mivtzār) refers to fortified or walled cities, indicating that the survivors sought protection in places designed to withstand attacks, which was common in ancient warfare.
Why Joshua 10:20 matters
- This verse clarifies that while Israel won a major victory, not every enemy was destroyed; some survived by retreating to fortified cities, setting up further conflict.
- The emphasis on the "very great slaughter" shows the seriousness and totality of the battle, helping readers understand the scale of the event.
- The mention of "fenced cities" connects to the broader narrative, as these strongholds would later become targets in Israel’s ongoing conquest of Canaan.