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.

JOSHUA 10:32KJV
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Joshua 10:32 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:32 mean?

Joshua 10:32 says that the LORD gave the city of Lachish into Israel’s control, and the Israelites captured it on the second day, killing everyone there just as they had done to the city of Libnah. The verse highlights that Israel’s victory was swift and complete, and that it followed the same pattern as previous battles.

Joshua 10:32 is part of a narrative where Joshua leads Israel in a series of battles to conquer Canaan. The verse describes the capture of Lachish, a fortified city, during Israel’s southern campaign. The text emphasizes that the victory was attributed to the LORD’s intervention, and that the Israelites treated Lachish the same way they had treated Libnah, showing a consistent approach in their conquest.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:32

  • The word translated "delivered" is נָתַן (nathan), which means "to give" or "to hand over." This word stresses that the victory was not just a military achievement but was understood as something God actively did for Israel.
  • The term "hand" is יָד (yad), often used in Hebrew to symbolize power or control. Saying Lachish was given "into the hand" of Israel means they were given full authority over the city.
  • The phrase "smote it with the edge of the sword" uses פֶּה (peh, "edge") and חֶרֶב (cherev, "sword"), a Hebrew expression meaning total destruction in battle, not just a partial defeat.
  • "All the souls" uses נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh), meaning "living beings" or "people." This clarifies that the entire population was killed, not just the soldiers.

Why Joshua 10:32 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s victories were seen as acts of God rather than just military skill, reinforcing a central theme in Joshua.
  • The mention of Lachish being taken "on the second day" shows that not all battles were instantaneous; some required persistence, but the outcome was still certain because of divine involvement.
  • By comparing the treatment of Lachish to Libnah, the verse shows a pattern in Israel’s conquest strategy and underlines the seriousness with which they carried out their campaign.

Where else these words appear

“Libnah” Hebrew H3841 · used in 17 verses

  • Numbers 33:20 And they departed from Rimmonparez, and pitched in Libnah.
  • Joshua 12:15 The king of Libnah, one; the king of Adullam, one;
  • 2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

“Lachish” Hebrew H3923 · used in 22 verses

  • Joshua 10:3 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,
  • Joshua 12:11 The king of Jarmuth, one; the king of Lachish, one;
  • 2 Chronicles 25:27 Now after the time that Amaziah did turn away from following the LORD they made a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem; and he fled to Lachish: but they sent to Lachish after him, and slew him there.

“took” Hebrew H3920 · used in 112 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 9:50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
  • Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.