Joshua 10:28 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:28 mean?

Joshua 10:28 describes how Joshua captured the city of Makkedah in a single day, killed its king and all the people in it, and left no survivors, treating the king of Makkedah the same way he had treated the king of Jericho. The verse emphasizes the complete destruction carried out by Joshua and the Israelites during their conquest of Canaan.

Joshua is leading the Israelites in battle as they take over cities in the land of Canaan, following what they believe are God’s instructions. The verse records a specific event where Joshua’s forces defeat Makkedah, kill everyone in the city, and destroy its king, just as they had done previously in Jericho. This verse is part of a larger narrative showing the systematic conquest of the land.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:28

• The word for "destroyed" is הֶחֱרִים (hecherim), often translated as "utterly destroyed" or "devoted to destruction." This word signals that everything in the city was set apart for destruction, not just defeated in battle.
• The word for "souls" is נֶפֶשׁ (nefesh), which literally means "life" or "person." Here, it highlights that every person in the city was killed—no one was spared.
• The phrase "edge of the sword" uses פִּי (pi, "mouth") and חֶרֶב (cherev, "sword"), a Hebrew way of saying "by the sword’s blade," emphasizing the violence and totality of the attack.

Why Joshua 10:28 matters

• Joshua 10:28 clarifies that the destruction of Makkedah was total, not partial, which helps explain the seriousness and finality of these battles in the conquest narrative.
• The verse connects the fate of Makkedah’s king to that of Jericho’s king, showing a pattern in Joshua’s campaign and reinforcing the methodical approach of the Israelites.
• This verse helps readers see the historical context of ancient warfare and the specific commands the Israelites believed they were following, which can be important for understanding the tone and actions described in Joshua.