Joshua 10:38 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:38 mean?

Joshua 10:38 describes how Joshua, leading all Israel, turned back to the city of Debir and launched an attack against it. The verse records another step in Joshua’s military campaign as he and the Israelites systematically confronted cities in southern Canaan.

In this part of the book of Joshua, the narrator is recounting the conquests led by Joshua after the defeat of several other cities. Joshua is acting as the leader of Israel, and the people are following him as they continue their campaign. Debir was a significant Canaanite city, and this verse marks the beginning of its confrontation with Israel.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:38

• "Joshua" (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, Yehoshua): The name means "The LORD is salvation," highlighting the leader chosen for this conquest.
• "returned" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means to turn back or return, suggesting that Joshua and Israel had previously moved away from Debir and are now coming back to address it.
• "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el): Refers to the collective people following Joshua, emphasizing national unity in the campaign.
• "Debir" (דְּבִיר, Devir): The name of the city, which was a notable stronghold in the region.
• "fought" (לָחַם, lacham): This word means to wage war or engage in battle, underlining the active conflict and not just a siege or threat.

Why Joshua 10:38 matters

• Joshua 10:38 shows the methodical nature of Joshua’s campaign, highlighting that the conquest was not random but followed a deliberate strategy.
• The verse connects to the larger narrative of Joshua’s victories, showing that each city was dealt with in turn, reinforcing the completeness of Israel’s conquest in this region.
• By naming both Joshua and all Israel, the verse emphasizes that this was a united effort, not just the action of one leader or a small group.