King James Version

What Does Joshua 10:28 Mean?

Joshua 10:28 in the King James Version says “And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, t...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.”

Joshua 10:28 · KJV

Context

26

And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.

27

And it came to pass at the time of the going down of the sun, that Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees, and cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid, and laid great stones in the cave's mouth, which remain until this very day.

28

And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.

29

Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:

30

And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain—this first conquest following the miraculous victory establishes the pattern of herem (חֵרֶם), complete devotion to destruction. The phrase "with the edge of the sword" (lefi-charev, לְפִי־חֶרֶב, literally "by the mouth of the sword") personifies the weapon as devouring its victims, a common Hebrew idiom for total military annihilation.

Makkedah's significance lies not in its size but in its cave, where the five Amorite kings had hidden (10:16-27). Joshua's execution of these kings at Makkedah demonstrated that no refuge existed from God's judgment—neither caves nor fortresses could protect those devoted to destruction. The phrase hecharim (הֶחֱרִים, "utterly destroyed") describes irrevocable consecration to God, whether for holy use or complete annihilation. When applied to Canaanites, it meant no spoil, no survivors, no treaty—only total eradication.

And he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho—this comparison links the southern campaign to the initial conquest, showing consistent application of God's commands. Both Jericho (6:21) and Makkedah received identical treatment: total destruction with the king executed. This consistency demonstrated that God's justice operated by principle, not caprice—the same standards applied to first and last cities alike.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Makkedah's location remains uncertain, though most scholars place it in the Shephelah (lowlands) between the coastal plain and Judean hill country, possibly modern Khirbet el-Qom. The city's strategic importance lay in controlling access routes from the coast to the highlands. Archaeological surveys in the Shephelah region show numerous Late Bronze Age sites with destruction layers, though connecting specific sites to biblical Makkedah remains speculative.

The concept of herem warfare appears in various ancient Near Eastern contexts, including the Mesha Stele (c. 840 BCE), where the Moabite king Mesha dedicated captured Israelite cities to Chemosh. However, Israel's herem was unique in its theological motivation: not imperialistic expansion but divine judgment on Canaanite wickedness (Deuteronomy 9:4-5) and prevention of religious syncretism (Deuteronomy 7:1-6; 20:16-18). God delayed judgment 400 years until Amorite iniquity reached full measure (Genesis 15:16).

The cave where the five kings hid and were later executed became a memorial site (10:27), similar to the stone heap at Achan's execution (7:26). Such memorials preserved historical memory across generations, teaching covenant faithfulness and divine justice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the unchanging application of God's judgment from Jericho to Makkedah demonstrate His consistent justice, and what does this reveal about His character?
  2. What spiritual 'cities' or strongholds in your life need to face complete <em>herem</em>—total consecration to destruction rather than partial compromise?
  3. How does the cave's failure to protect the five kings illustrate that no refuge exists from God's judgment apart from Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וְאֶת1 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מַקֵּדָ֔ה2 of 28

“Makkedah”

H4719

makkedah, a place in palestine

לָכַ֨ד3 of 28

“took”

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ4 of 28

“Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

בַּיּ֣וֹם5 of 28

“And that day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֗וּא6 of 28
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַיַּכֶּ֣הָ7 of 28

“and smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

לְפִי8 of 28

“it with the edge”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

חֶרֶב֮9 of 28

“of the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וְאֶת10 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְמֶ֥לֶךְ11 of 28

“and the king”

H4428

a king

הֶֽחֱרִ֣ם12 of 28

“thereof he utterly destroyed”

H2763

to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose

אוֹתָ֗ם13 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְאֶת14 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל15 of 28
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַנֶּ֙פֶשׁ֙16 of 28

“them and all the souls”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אֲשֶׁר17 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּ֔הּ18 of 28
H0
לֹ֥א19 of 28
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִשְׁאִ֖יר20 of 28

“that were therein he let”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

שָׂרִ֑יד21 of 28

“none remain”

H8300

a survivor

עָשָׂ֖ה22 of 28

“and he did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְמֶ֥לֶךְ23 of 28

“and the king”

H4428

a king

מַקֵּדָ֔ה24 of 28

“Makkedah”

H4719

makkedah, a place in palestine

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר25 of 28
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֖ה26 of 28

“and he did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

לְמֶ֥לֶךְ27 of 28

“and the king”

H4428

a king

יְרִיחֽוֹ׃28 of 28

“of Jericho”

H3405

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 10:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 10:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 6:21Psalms 21:8-9Luke 19:27Deuteronomy 7:2Joshua 10:32Joshua 8:2

Places in This Verse

Jericho 1Settlement · Modern: Tell es Sultan · 31.87°N, 35.44°E63 verses across 13 books
MakkedahSettlement · Modern: Khirbet el Qom · 31.53°N, 34.97°E8 verses across 1 book
View all places in Joshua 10 →

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