And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.

JOSHUA 11:10KJV
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Joshua 11:10 (KJV)

What does Joshua 11:10 mean?

Joshua 11:10 describes how Joshua turned back during his military campaign, captured the city of Hazor, and killed its king with the sword, noting that Hazor had previously been the leading city among the northern kingdoms. The verse highlights Hazor’s former importance and Joshua’s decisive victory over it.

In this verse, the book of Joshua is recounting the conquest of Canaan, specifically focusing on Joshua’s actions as the leader of Israel. Hazor is singled out because it was considered the “head” or chief city among the local kingdoms, making its defeat especially significant. The verse emphasizes both the strategic and symbolic importance of Hazor’s fall in the broader campaign.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 11:10

  • חָצֹר (ḥāṣōr, “Hazor”): This word refers to the city of Hazor, which archaeological and biblical sources agree was a major center in northern Canaan. Its mention as the “head” city underlines why its capture was so notable.
  • רֹאשׁ (rōʾsh, “head”): This word is used here to mean “chief” or “leader,” showing that Hazor was not just another city but the most prominent among the northern kingdoms.
  • מַמְלָכָה (mamlākhāh, “kingdoms”): This word refers to the various city-states or small kingdoms in the region, making it clear that Hazor’s influence extended over several other rulers.

Why Joshua 11:10 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Hazor’s defeat was a turning point because it was the central power among the northern Canaanite kingdoms, not just another city.
  • By specifying that Joshua killed the king of Hazor, the verse underscores the completeness of the victory and the removal of the region’s main leader.
  • This detail connects to the wider narrative, showing how the Israelites systematically dismantled the existing power structures in Canaan as part of their conquest.

Where else these words appear

“Hazor” Hebrew H2674 · used in 17 verses

  • Joshua 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jabin king of Hazor had heard those things, that he sent to Jobab king of Madon, and to the king of Shimron, and to the king of Achshaph,
  • Joshua 15:25 And Hazor, Hadattah, and Kerioth, and Hezron, which is Hazor,
  • 1 Kings 9:15 And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.

“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.

“kingdoms” Hebrew H4467 · used in 113 verses

  • Genesis 10:10 And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.
  • 2 Kings 15:19 And Pul the king of Assyria came against the land: and Menahem gave Pul a thousand talents of silver, that his hand might be with him to confirm the kingdom in his hand.
  • Isaiah 14:16 They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, and consider thee, saying, Is this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;