Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining.
JOSHUA 10:33KJVWhat does Joshua 10:33 mean?
Joshua 10:33 describes how Horam, the king of Gezer, came to help the city of Lachish during a battle, but Joshua and the Israelites defeated Horam and his people so completely that none of them were left. The verse shows the thoroughness of Joshua’s victory over those who opposed Israel’s advance.
This verse is part of a narrative where Joshua is leading Israel in a campaign against southern Canaanite cities. When Lachish was under attack, Horam of Gezer tried to intervene, but his forces were destroyed. The story highlights the opposition Israel faced and the decisive nature of Joshua’s conquests during this period.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:33
- עָלָה (ʿālāh, “up”): This word often means to go up or approach, and here it shows Horam’s active movement to join the battle, not just a passive presence.
- עָזַר (ʿāzar, “help”): This word means to give aid or assistance, emphasizing that Horam’s intention was to support Lachish, not to attack Israel directly.
- הִכָּה (hikkāh, “smote”): This verb means to strike or defeat, and in this context, it suggests a complete and overwhelming victory by Joshua.
- שָׁאַר (šāʾar, “left”): This word means to remain or be left over, underlining that Joshua’s victory left no survivors among Horam’s people.
Why Joshua 10:33 matters
- Joshua 10:33 clarifies that Israel’s victories were not just against isolated cities but also against reinforcements from neighboring kingdoms, showing the broader resistance to Israel’s entry into Canaan.
- The verse highlights the completeness of Joshua’s victories, which is a recurring theme in this chapter, emphasizing the fulfillment of what Israel believed was God’s promise.
- By naming Horam and Gezer, the verse connects the events to real historical places and people, grounding the narrative in a specific time and setting.