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 10:20KJV
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Joshua 10:20 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“rest” Hebrew H8300 · used in 28 verses

  • Numbers 21:35 So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.
  • Joshua 10:39 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.
  • Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

“fenced” Hebrew H4013 · used in 37 verses

  • Numbers 13:19 And what the land is that they dwell in, whether it be good or bad; and what cities they be that they dwell in, whether in tents, or in strong holds;
  • 2 Chronicles 17:19 These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah.
  • Jeremiah 48:18 Thou daughter that dost inhabit Dibon, come down from thy glory, and sit in thirst; for the spoiler of Moab shall come upon thee, and he shall destroy thy strong holds.

“slaughter” Hebrew H4347 · used in 46 verses

  • Leviticus 26:21 And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins.
  • 1 Samuel 23:5 So David and his men went to Keilah, and fought with the Philistines, and brought away their cattle, and smote them with a great slaughter. So David saved the inhabitants of Keilah.
  • Isaiah 27:7 Hath he smitten him, as he smote those that smote him? or is he slain according to the slaughter of them that are slain by him?

“consumed” Hebrew H8552 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
  • Joshua 5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
  • Isaiah 16:4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.