So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
JOSHUA 10:40KJVWhat does Joshua 10:40 mean?
Joshua 10:40 describes how Joshua and the Israelites defeated and destroyed all the people and kings in the hill country, the south, the valleys, and the springs, leaving no survivors, just as the LORD God of Israel had commanded. This verse sums up the totality and thoroughness of Joshua’s military campaign in that region.
In this part of the book of Joshua, the narrator is recounting Joshua’s conquest of southern Canaan. The verse emphasizes that Joshua’s actions were in direct obedience to God’s command, highlighting both the scope of the conquest and the seriousness with which Joshua followed those instructions. The mention of different regions—hills, south, valleys, and springs—shows that no area was left untouched.
The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:40
- The word for “destroyed” is הַחֲרֵם (ḥērem, transliterated as "destroyed" or "devoted to destruction"), which often means to completely set apart or eliminate something, usually as an act of judgment or dedication to God. This term underscores the total nature of what Joshua was commanded to do.
- The word for “breathed” is נְשָׁמָה (neshamah, transliterated as "breathed"), which refers to any living being with breath, making clear that the destruction included all living creatures, not just the people.
- The word for “commanded” is צָוָה (tsavah, transliterated as "commanded"), which stresses that Joshua’s actions were not arbitrary but were carried out in response to a direct order from the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH).
Why Joshua 10:40 matters
- This verse clarifies that the conquest was not just a series of battles but a complete campaign covering every part of the southern region, fulfilling a specific divine command.
- It helps readers understand the seriousness with which Joshua and the Israelites approached God’s instructions, showing obedience even when the command was difficult.
- The verse connects to the broader narrative by summarizing the results of several battles, setting the stage for the continued conquest of the land in the following chapters.