Joshua 10:40

Joshua 10:40 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes, together with all their kings—leaving no survivors. He devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.

King James Version KJV

¶ 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.

American Standard Version ASV

So Joshua smote all the land, the hill-country, and the South, and the lowland, and the slopes, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but he utterly destroyed all that breathed, as Jehovah, the God of Israel, commanded.

Bible in Basic English BBE

So Joshua overcame all the land, the hill-country and the South and the lowland and the mountain slopes, and all their kings; all were put to death: and every living thing he gave up to the curse, as the Lord, the God of Israel, had given him orders.

Free Bible Version FBV

So Joshua conquered the whole land—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes—and all their kings. He didn't leave a single survivor. He killed everyone as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

So Ioshua smote all the hill countreys, and the South countreys, and the valleys, and the hill sides, and all their Kings, and let none remaine, but vtterly destroyed euery soule, as the Lord God of Israel had commanded.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Joshua smiteth all the land of the hill-country, and of the south, and of the low-country, and of the springs, and all their kings — he hath not left a remnant, and all that doth breathe he hath devoted, as Jehovah, God of Israel, commanded.

World English Bible WEB

So Joshua struck all the land, the hill country, the South, the lowland, the slopes, and all their kings. He left no one remaining, but he utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

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.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

So Josue conquered all the country of the hills and of the south and of the plain, and of Asedoth, with their kings: he left not any remains therein, but slew all that breathed, as the Lord the God of Israel had commanded him,

Translation for Translators T4T

That is how Joshua and his army conquered the entire southern part of Canaan. They defeated the kings who ruled the hilly area, the dry southern area, the western foothills, and the eastern slopes. They killed everyone [DOU] in those areas; they did not allow anyone to remain alive.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 10:40

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Joshua 10:40 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יַּכֶּ֣ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ אֶת כָּל הָ/אָ֡רֶץ הָ/הָר֩ וְ/הַ/נֶּ֨גֶב וְ/הַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֜ה וְ/הָ/אֲשֵׁד֗וֹת וְ/אֵת֙ כָּל מַלְכֵי/הֶ֔ם לֹ֥א הִשְׁאִ֖יר שָׂרִ֑יד וְ/אֵ֤ת כָּל הַ/נְּשָׁמָה֙ הֶחֱרִ֔ים כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּ֔ה יְהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

וַ/יַּכֶּ֣ה nâkâh H5221 to smite Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms

יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ H3091 Joshua N-proper

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

הָ/אָ֡רֶץ ʼerets H776 land Art | N-cs

הָ/הָר֩ har H2022 mountain Art | N-ms

וְ/הַ/נֶּ֨גֶב negeb H5045 Negeb Conj | Art | N-ms

וְ/הַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֜ה shᵉphêlâh H8219 Shephelah Conj | Art | N-fs

וְ/הָ/אֲשֵׁד֗וֹת ʼăshêdâh H794 slope Conj | Art | N-fp

וְ/אֵת֙ ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

מַלְכֵי/הֶ֔ם melek H4428 King's N-mp | Suff

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 not Part

הִשְׁאִ֖יר shâʼar H7604 to remain V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms

שָׂרִ֑יד sârîyd H8300 survivor N-ms

וְ/אֵ֤ת ʼêth H853 Obj. Conj | DirObjM

כָּל kôl H3605 all N-ms

הַ/נְּשָׁמָה֙ nᵉshâmâh H5397 breath Art | N-fs

הֶחֱרִ֔ים châram H2763 to devote/destroy V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms

כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 which Prep | Rel

צִוָּ֔ה tsâvâh H6680 to command V-Piel-Perf-3ms

יְהוָ֖ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 The Lord N-proper

אֱלֹהֵ֥י ʼĕlôhîym H430 God N-mp

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 10:40

וַ/יַּכֶּ֣ה nâkâh H5221 "to smite" Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to strike or hit something, and it's used in many different ways, like in Exodus when God strikes down the Egyptians. It can also mean to punish or destroy, as seen in Isaiah. The word is used to describe God's judgment.

Definition: 1) to strike, smite, hit, beat, slay, kill 1a)(Niphal) to be stricken or smitten 1b) (Pual) to be stricken or smitten 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to smite, strike, beat, scourge, clap, applaud, give a thrust 1c2) to smite, kill, slay (man or beast) 1c3) to smite, attack, attack and destroy, conquer, subjugate, ravage 1c4) to smite, chastise, send judgment upon, punish, destroy 1d) (Hophal) to be smitten 1d1) to receive a blow 1d2) to be wounded 1d3) to be beaten 1d4) to be (fatally) smitten, be killed, be slain 1d5) to be attacked and captured 1d6) to be smitten (with disease) 1d7) to be blighted (of plants)

Usage: Occurs in 461 OT verses. KJV: beat, cast forth, clap, give (wounds), [idiom] go forward, [idiom] indeed, kill, make (slaughter), murderer, punish, slaughter, slay(-er, -ing), smite(-r, -ing), strike, be stricken, (give) stripes, [idiom] surely, wound. See also: Genesis 4:15; Joshua 10:20; 1 Samuel 29:5.

יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ H3091 "Joshua" N-proper

Joshua was a leader in the Bible, first mentioned in Ezra 2:2, who helped the Israelites return from exile. His name means Jehovah is salvation, and he is also known as Jeshua in some parts of the Bible. He was a key figure in the conquest of Canaan.

Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.2; son of: Jehozadak (H3087); father of: Joiakim (H3113); also called Jeshua at Ezr.2.2; 3.2,8; 4.3; 5.2; 1x12.1,7,10,26; § Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation" 1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan 2) a resident of Beth-shemesh on whose land the Ark of the Covenant came to a stop after the Philistines returned it 3) son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration 4) governor of Jerusalem under king Josiah who gave his name to a gate of the city of Jerusalem

Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare H1954 (הוֹשֵׁעַ), H3442 (יֵשׁוּעַ). See also: Exodus 17:9; Joshua 9:15; Zechariah 6:11.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.

הָ/אָ֡רֶץ ʼerets H776 "land" Art | N-cs

The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.

Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan

Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.

הָ/הָר֩ har H2022 "mountain" Art | N-ms

A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.

Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount

Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.

וְ/הַ/נֶּ֨גֶב negeb H5045 "Negeb" Conj | Art | N-ms

The Negeb is the southern district of Judah, also known as the south country, and can occasionally refer to Egypt, which is south of Palestine.

Definition: region of southern Judah Also named: ne.gev (נֶ֫גֶב "south" H5045H) This name means south-country

Usage: Occurs in 97 OT verses. KJV: south (country, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 12:9; 1 Samuel 14:5; Psalms 126:4.

וְ/הַ/שְּׁפֵלָ֜ה shᵉphêlâh H8219 "Shephelah" Conj | Art | N-fs

The Shephelah refers to the lowlands in Palestine, near the coast. This region is west of the Judean mountains. It appears in the Bible as a geographic location.

Definition: 1) lowland, valley 1a) lowland 1a1) strip west of Judean mountains (technical term) 1a1a) the Shephelah 1a2) strip near coast north of Carmel

Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: low country, (low) plain, vale(-ley). See also: Deuteronomy 1:7; 1 Chronicles 27:28; Jeremiah 17:26.

וְ/הָ/אֲשֵׁד֗וֹת ʼăshêdâh H794 "slope" Conj | Art | N-fp

A slope or ravine, such as the terrain described in Joshua 10:12. This word refers to a natural formation, like a spring or a foundation. It is used to describe the landscape in biblical stories.

Definition: foundation, slope

Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: springs. See also: Deuteronomy 3:17; Joshua 12:3; Joshua 13:20.

וְ/אֵת֙ ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

מַלְכֵי/הֶ֔ם melek H4428 "King's" N-mp | Suff

This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.

Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)

Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.

לֹ֥א lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

הִשְׁאִ֖יר shâʼar H7604 "to remain" V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms

To remain or be left over, as in Joshua 10:20. It can also mean to spare or reserve something, like God sparing Noah in Genesis 7:23. This word is used to describe the remnant of Israel.

Definition: 1) to remain, be left over, be left behind 1a) (Qal) to remain 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be left over, be left alive, survive 1b1a) remainder, remnant (participle) 1b2) to be left behind 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to leave over, spare 1c2) to leave or keep over 1c3) to have left 1c4) to leave (as a gift)

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: leave, (be) left, let, remain, remnant, reserve, the rest. See also: Genesis 7:23; 1 Kings 22:47; Isaiah 4:3.

שָׂרִ֑יד sârîyd H8300 "survivor" N-ms

A survivor is someone who remains alive after a difficult event, and this word is used to describe those who are left after a disaster or war. It can also refer to a remnant of people who continue to exist despite challenges. The Bible often uses this term to describe the remaining Israelites.

Definition: 1) survivor, remnant, that which is left 1a) survivor

Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] alive, left, remain(-ing), remnant, rest. See also: Numbers 21:35; 2 Kings 10:11; Isaiah 1:9.

וְ/אֵ֤ת ʼêth H853 "Obj." Conj | DirObjM

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

כָּל kôl H3605 "all" N-ms

Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)

הַ/נְּשָׁמָה֙ nᵉshâmâh H5397 "breath" Art | N-fs

This word means breath, spirit, or wind, and is used in Genesis and other Old Testament books to describe God's breath and the breath of living things. It is related to the idea of divine inspiration and intellect, and is used in various contexts in the Bible.

Definition: 1) breath, spirit 1a) breath (of God) 1b) breath (of man) 1c) every breathing thing 1d) spirit (of man) Aramaic equivalent: nish.ma (נִשְׁמָא "breath" H5396)

Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: blast, (that) breath(-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit. See also: Genesis 2:7; Job 32:8; Psalms 18:16.

הֶחֱרִ֔ים châram H2763 "to devote/destroy" V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms

To devote or destroy something, like the objects the Israelites were told to destroy in Deuteronomy 7:26.

Definition: 1) to ban, devote, destroy utterly, completely destroy, dedicate for destruction, exterminate 1a) (Hiphil) 1a1) to prohibit (for common use), ban 1a2) to consecrate, devote, dedicate for destruction 1a3) to exterminate, completely destroy 1b) (Hophal) 1b1) to be put under the ban, be devoted to destruction 1b2) to be devoted, be forfeited 1b3) to be completely destroyed

Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: make accursed, consecrate, (utterly) destroy, devote, forfeit, have a flat nose, utterly (slay, make away). See also: Exodus 22:19; Joshua 11:21; Isaiah 11:15.

כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֣ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Prep | Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

צִוָּ֔ה tsâvâh H6680 "to command" V-Piel-Perf-3ms

To command or give orders, as seen in the Bible when God gives charge to his people. It can also mean to appoint or ordain someone for a task. This word is used in various forms throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: 1) to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order 1a)(Piel) 1a1) to lay charge upon 1a2) to give charge to, give command to 1a3) to give charge unto 1a4) to give charge over, appoint 1a5) to give charge, command 1a6) to charge, command 1a7) to charge, commission 1a8) to command, appoint, ordain (of divine act) 1b) (Pual) to be commanded

Usage: Occurs in 475 OT verses. KJV: appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 10:13; Deuteronomy 12:11.

יְהוָ֖ה Yᵉhôvâh H3068 "The Lord" N-proper

Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.

Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.

אֱלֹהֵ֥י ʼĕlôhîym H430 "God" N-mp

The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.

Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)

Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper

Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.

Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile

Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

Study Notes — Joshua 10:40

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Context
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Joshua 10:40 Summary
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Gill's Exposition on Joshua 10:40
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Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 10:40
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 10:40
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Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 10:40
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Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 10:40
Sermons on Joshua 10:40

Context — Conquest of the Southern Cities

38Finally Joshua and all Israel with him turned toward Debir and fought against it. 39And they captured Debir, its king, and all its villages. They put them to the sword and devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. Joshua did to Debir and its king as he had done to Hebron and as he had done to Libnah and its king.

40So Joshua conquered the whole region—the hill country, the Negev, the foothills, and the slopes, together with all their kings—leaving no survivors. He devoted to destruction everything that breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded.

41Joshua conquered the area from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza, and the whole region of Goshen as far as Gibeon. 42And because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel, Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Deuteronomy 7:2–16	and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. Do not intermarry with them. Do not give your daughters to their sons or take their daughters for your sons, because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you. Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire. For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth. The LORD did not set His affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than the other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But because the LORD loved you and kept the oath He swore to your fathers, He brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His covenant of loving devotion for a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. But those who hate Him He repays to their faces with destruction; He will not hesitate to repay to his face the one who hates Him. So keep the commandments and statutes and ordinances that I am giving you to follow this day. If you listen to these ordinances and keep them carefully, then the LORD your God will keep His covenant and the loving devotion that He swore to your fathers. He will love you and bless you and multiply you. He will bless the fruit of your womb and the produce of your land—your grain, new wine, and oil, the young of your herds and the lambs of your flocks—in the land that He swore to your fathers to give you. You will be blessed above all peoples; among you there will be no barren man or woman or livestock. And the LORD will remove from you all sickness. He will not lay upon you any of the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but He will inflict them on all who hate you. You must destroy all the peoples the LORD your God will deliver to you. Do not look on them with pity. Do not worship their gods, for that will be a snare to you.
2	Exodus 23:31–33	And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”
3	Joshua 8:27	Israel took for themselves only the cattle and plunder of that city, as the LORD had commanded Joshua.
4	Joshua 10:37	They captured it and put to the sword its king, all its villages, and all the people. Joshua left no survivors, just as he had done at Eglon; he devoted to destruction Hebron and everyone in it.
5	Joshua 8:2	And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.”
6	Joshua 10:35	That day they captured Eglon and put it to the sword, and Joshua devoted to destruction everyone in the city, just as he had done to Lachish.
7	1 Kings 15:29	As soon as Baasha became king, he struck down the entire household of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam anyone that breathed, but destroyed them all according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servant Ahijah the Shilonite,
8	Deuteronomy 7:24	He will hand their kings over to you, and you will wipe out their names from under heaven. No one will be able to stand against you; you will annihilate them.
9	Deuteronomy 20:16–17	However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you must not leave alive anything that breathes. For you must devote them to complete destruction —the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as the LORD your God has commanded you,
10	Psalms 9:17	The wicked will return to Sheol— all the nations who forget God.

Joshua 10:40 Summary

[Joshua 10:40 tells us that Joshua and the Israelites conquered the entire region, including the hill country, the Negev, and the foothills, and that they destroyed everything that breathed, just as God had commanded. This was a difficult task, but Joshua trusted in God's plan and obeyed His commands, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. We can learn from Joshua's example by trusting in God's goodness and obeying His will for our lives, even when it's hard, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 8:28.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Joshua and the Israelites have to kill every living thing in the conquered regions?

This was a command from the Lord, the God of Israel, as stated in Joshua 10:40, to ensure the removal of idolatrous influences and to fulfill His judgment on the wicked nations, as seen in Deuteronomy 7:1-6 and Leviticus 18:24-25.

Is this verse promoting violence and genocide?

It's essential to understand the historical and biblical context, recognizing that God's commands in this situation were specific to the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, and not a general principle for all situations, as explained in Romans 11:22 and Hebrews 10:26-31.

How can we reconcile the idea of a loving God with the destruction described in this verse?

The Bible teaches that God is both loving and just, and His actions, including judgment, are always motivated by His love and desire for righteousness, as seen in Psalm 89:14 and Isaiah 61:8.

What does it mean to 'devote to destruction' as mentioned in this verse?

This phrase refers to the act of completely destroying something, dedicating it to God as an act of judgment, and removing any potential for future evil, as explained in Numbers 21:2-3 and Deuteronomy 13:12-18.

Reflection Questions

What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship with His people?
How can I apply the principle of obedience to God's commands in my own life, even when it's difficult or challenging?
What are some areas in my life where I need to surrender to God's will and allow Him to work, just as Joshua surrendered to God's plan for the conquest of Canaan?
How can I balance the idea of God's love and mercy with the concept of His judgment and justice, as seen in this verse?

Gill's Exposition on Joshua 10:40

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,.... That part of the land of Canaan which lay southward, and consisted of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 10:40

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it: No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 10:40

All that breathed, i.e. all mankind, by a synecdoche; for they reserved the cattle for their own uses. As the Lord God of Israel commanded: this is added for the vindication of the Israelites, whom God would not have to suffer in their reputation for executing his commands; and therefore he acquits them of that implacable hatred and heinous cruelty which they might be thought guilty of, and ascribes it to himself and his own just indignation against this most wicked people.

Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 10:40

Joshua 10:40 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.Ver. 40. As the Lord God of Israel commanded.] It was not therefore cruelty, but obedience, to slay so many thousands. There is a pious cruelty, saith one. And Magna quidem est in ilia severitate pietas per quam tollitur peccandi libertas, saith another: there is great piety in that severity which taketh away licentious liberty. Gregory.

Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 10:40

(40) Of the hills—i.e., the mountains of Judah and Ephraim. The south—i.e., the Nêgeb. The vale—i.e., Shephêlah, the plain of the coast, but not apparently including the Philistine territory, which was not conquered by Joshua. The springs—or Áshdoth. Some render it the slopes or declivities, the country between the high hills and the low plain of the coast.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 10:40

Verse 40. All the country of the hills] See Clarke on Deuteronomy 1:7. Destroyed all that breathed] Every person found in arms who continued to resist; these were all destroyed, - those who submitted were spared: but many no doubt made their escape, and afterwards reoccupied certain parts of the land. See Joshua 10:36-37.

Cambridge Bible on Joshua 10:40

40–43. Survey of the Results of the Campaign in Southern Canaan 40. all the country] Rather, all the land, the hill country, &c. The entire region is comprehensively surveyed, and then treated with special detail: (a) The Hills; (b) The South; (c) The Vale; (d) The Springs. (a) The Hills, i.e. the mountain district of Judah extending southward from Jerusalem. It consists of calcareous limestone, and forms the water-parting between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, rising to the height of 3000 feet. It is generally, especially in the southern portion, an uneven and rocky district. (b) The South = the Negeb, the “land of the south,” the dry, parched land, where the mountain-brooks fail in the summer (Psalms 126:4). It is a limestone district, a land intermediate between wilderness and cultivated land, like the steppes of southern Russia. Because it lay in the south of Palestine, “Negeb” comes to mean generally “south” (comp. Numbers 35:5; Exodus 40:24; Joshua 17:9-10). It must, however, have once been fertile, for Palmer and Drake found grape-mounds all round the western border. “Almost sudden was the transition to the upland wilderness, the ‘Negeb,’ or south country—a series of rolling hills, clad with scanty herbage here and there, especially on their northern faces; and steadily rising, till the barometer, falling three and a half inches, told us that we had mounted 3,200 feet above our camp of the morning.”—Tristram’s Land of Israel, pp. 365, 366. (c) The Vale, i.e. the Lowlands, or Shephêlah, a strip of land in southern Palestine stretching alone from Joppa to Gaza, “the plain of the Philistines.” “Viewed from the sea this maritime region appears as a long low coast of white or cream-coloured sand, its slight undulations rising occasionally into mounds or cliffs, which in one or two places almost aspire to the dignity of headlands.” (d) The Springs, rather the Slopes or Declivities. The verb from which the original word is formed, denotes to pour, to rush down. Hence it means (i) an outpouring; (ii) a place, upon which something pours out. Comp. Deuteronomy 3:17, “from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdoth-pisgah” = the springs or slopes of Pisgah (see margin), where the LXX. and English Version treat the word as a proper name. The word here denotes the district of undulating ground between the Shephêlah or “lowlands,” just mentioned, and the hill or “mountain” of the centre. as the Lord] See Deuteronomy 20:16-17.

Barnes' Notes on Joshua 10:40

See Joshua 9:1. “The south” was the Negeb Numbers 13:17. Render “the springs” “slopes.” The word here means the district of undulating ground between “the vale” (or שׁפלה shephêlâh) last named and

Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 10:40

40. Country of the hills — The mountain ridge, which is the backbone of the Holy Land, is cut up into hills by ravines which stretch away to the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean.

Sermons on Joshua 10:40

	Sermon	Description
	The Judgment Day by Jonathan Edwards	In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of the last trumpet and the resurrection of the dead. He explains that God sent forth his angels with a great sound of a trumpet
	Deception by the Gibeonites by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the deception by the Gibeonites as described in Joshua chapter 9. He emphasizes the importance of heeding the warnings that God gives u
	(Through the Bible) Exodus 23-25 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the preacher discusses various teachings from the Bible. He emphasizes the importance of judges not receiving gifts in order to maintain impartiality in their judgm
	Through the Bible - Deuteronomy by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker discusses the book of Deuteronomy and its three main themes: looking back at God's faithfulness, looking upwards at God's laws, and looking forward to G
	(Through the Bible) Joshua 9-16 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, the speaker addresses a popular but false story about NASA scientists discovering a missing day in time. He emphasizes that this story is not factual and has no bas
	(John the Baptist Comes to Town) - Part 4 Turn or Burn! by Rolfe Barnard	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of repentance as the only command that God has for sinners. He states that God does not have time to argue or negotiate with
	Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 6 by Alan Cairns	This sermon emphasizes the importance of not forgetting the innocent bloodshed and the consequences of a nation turning away from God's covenant mercies. It warns against being div