And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.

JOSHUA 10:35KJV
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Joshua 10:35 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:35 mean?

Joshua 10:35 describes how the Israelites captured a city in a single day, killed its inhabitants with the sword, and completely destroyed everyone there, just as they had done to the city of Lachish earlier. This verse highlights the thoroughness and speed of the conquest during Joshua’s campaign in Canaan.

The setting is the Israelite conquest of Canaan, led by Joshua, as they move from city to city. The verse records the capture and destruction of a specific city (Eglon, mentioned in the previous verse), emphasizing that the same treatment given to Lachish was repeated here. The language underlines both the military effectiveness and the totality of the destruction, reflecting the commands Joshua was following.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:35

  • "Edge" (פֶּה, peh): This word literally means "mouth," but in this context, it refers to the "edge" or "mouth" of the sword, a Hebrew way of describing being killed by the sword. It paints a vivid picture of the sword as something that "devours."
  • "Souls" (נֶפֶשׁ, nephesh): While often translated as "souls," this word means "lives" or "persons." Here, it refers to all the people in the city, not just some spiritual aspect.
  • "Destroyed" (חָרַם, charam): This verb means to devote something to destruction, often in the sense of complete destruction as an act of dedication or judgment. It signals that nothing was spared, following a specific command.

Why Joshua 10:35 matters

  • Joshua 10:35 shows the pattern of total destruction that marked Joshua’s campaign, helping readers understand the severity and completeness of these battles.
  • The verse connects directly to the earlier destruction of Lachish, showing a consistent approach to each city and reinforcing the idea that Joshua was following a set command or strategy.
  • The use of specific Hebrew terms adds depth, showing that the destruction was not just military victory but involved a complete removal of the city’s population, which was a significant part of ancient warfare in this context.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“destroyed” Hebrew H2763 · used in 48 verses

  • Exodus 22:20 He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.
  • Joshua 10:1 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them;
  • 1 Samuel 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

“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.