King James Version

What Does Joshua 10:37 Mean?

Joshua 10:37 in the King James Version says “And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.

Joshua 10:37 · KJV


Context

35

And they took it on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein he utterly destroyed that day, according to all that he had done to Lachish.

36

And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:

37

And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.

38

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:

39

And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein—Hebron's conquest receives more elaborate description than previous cities, reflecting its exceptional importance. The phrase "all the cities thereof" (kol-areha, כָּל־עָרֶיהָ) indicates Hebron controlled satellite villages forming a city-state complex, not just a single fortress. This multi-settlement structure made Hebron a major regional power center requiring more extensive operations than isolated cities.

Hebron (חֶבְרוֹן) derives from chaver (חָבֵר, "to join" or "unite"), possibly referring to its role as a confederate center. The city held profound patriarchal significance—Abraham purchased the cave of Machpelah there as a burial site (Genesis 23), and Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah were also buried there (Genesis 49:29-32; 50:13). This sacred ground, now under judgment for Canaanite corruption, demonstrated that even places once sanctified by godly presence could become devoted to destruction through later wickedness.

He left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein—the emphatic double statement "left none remaining...destroyed it utterly" underscores complete execution of herem. The comparison to Eglon maintains the pattern of consistent application, while the comprehensive language stresses thoroughness—no half-measures, no survivors, no compromise.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Hebron (modern el-Khalil) sits at 3,050 feet elevation in the Judean hill country, making it one of the highest cities in ancient Israel. Its strategic location controlled north-south routes through the central highlands and provided access to the Negev southward. Archaeological excavations at Tel Rumeida (ancient Hebron) reveal Bronze Age occupation, though connecting specific destruction layers to Joshua's conquest remains challenging due to continuous occupation and later building.

The city's patriarchal associations gave it unique significance. The cave of Machpelah functioned as the family tomb of Israel's founding fathers, making Hebron's conquest particularly poignant—Abraham's descendants reclaiming land their ancestor had purchased. Later, Hebron became a Levitical city and city of refuge (Joshua 21:13), and David ruled from there for seven years before capturing Jerusalem (2 Samuel 2:1-4; 5:5).

Numbers 13:22 mentions that Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt, suggesting great antiquity. The Anakim giants inhabited Hebron (Joshua 11:21; 15:13-14), and Caleb later drove them out and claimed it as his inheritance (Joshua 14:12-15). This detail reveals that Joshua's initial conquest was incomplete—requiring later generations to fully secure the territory, illustrating the ongoing nature of spiritual warfare.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Hebron's transformation from Abraham's sacred burial site to a place of judgment demonstrate that past spiritual heritage cannot protect present wickedness?
  2. What does the phrase 'all the cities thereof' teach about how major strongholds often control networks of smaller dependencies that also require attention?
  3. How does the later reappearance of Anakim in Hebron (requiring Caleb's conquest) illustrate that initial victories in spiritual warfare require ongoing vigilance and effort?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיִּלְכְּד֣וּהָ1 of 28

And they took

H3920

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

וַיַּכּֽוּהָ2 of 28

it and smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

לְפִי3 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

חֶ֠רֶב4 of 28

of the sword

H2719

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

וְאֶת5 of 28
H853

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

מַלְכָּ֨הּ6 of 28

and the king

H4428

a king

וְאֶת7 of 28
H853

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

כָּל8 of 28
H3605

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

עָרֶ֜יהָ9 of 28

thereof and all the cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וְאֶת10 of 28
H853

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

כָּל11 of 28
H3605

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

הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ12 of 28

it utterly 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

אֲשֶׁר13 of 28
H834

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

בָּהּ֙14 of 28
H0
לֹֽא15 of 28
H3808

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

הִשְׁאִ֣יר16 of 28

that were therein he left

H7604

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

שָׂרִ֔יד17 of 28

none remaining

H8300

a survivor

כְּכֹ֥ל18 of 28
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר19 of 28
H834

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

עָשָׂ֖ה20 of 28

according to all that he had done

H6213

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

לְעֶגְל֑וֹן21 of 28

to Eglon

H5700

eglon, the name of a place in palestine and of a moabitish king

וַיַּֽחֲרֵ֣ם22 of 28

but 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

אוֹתָ֔הּ23 of 28
H853

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

וְאֶת24 of 28
H853

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

כָּל25 of 28
H3605

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

הַנֶּ֖פֶשׁ26 of 28

it utterly 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

אֲשֶׁר27 of 28
H834

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

בָּֽהּ׃28 of 28
H0

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 10:37 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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