King James Version

What Does Joshua 10:40 Mean?

Joshua 10:40 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 10:40 · KJV

Context

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.

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.

41

And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.

42

And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon. And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.

This summary emphasizes both Joshua's comprehensive obedience and God's decisive action. The geographical terms—"hills" (central highlands), "south" (Negev), "vale" (Shephelah lowlands), and "springs" (possibly the region near Kadesh)—indicate thorough conquest of southern Canaan's diverse terrain. The phrase "he left none remaining" (lo hish'ir sarid, לֹא הִשְׁאִיר שָׂרִיד) appears frequently in conquest accounts, describing complete military victory by ancient Near Eastern standards—total defeat of organized military resistance.

The troubling phrase "utterly destroyed all that breathed" (vayacharem kol-nefesh, וַיַּחֲרֵם כָּל־נֶפֶשׁ) describes herem warfare—total devotion to destruction as an act of divine judgment. Reformed theology addresses this difficulty by recognizing: (1) the unique, unrepeatable nature of conquest as divine judgment on exceptionally wicked nations (Leviticus 18:24-28; Deuteronomy 9:4-5); (2) the long period of patience God extended before judgment (Genesis 15:16); (3) the typological nature of Canaan conquest foreshadowing final judgment; and (4) the escalation principle—greater revelation brings greater responsibility (Luke 12:48). This was not ethnic cleansing but covenant judgment executing divine justice on cultures characterized by child sacrifice, sacred prostitution, and extreme moral corruption.

The theological climax appears in verse 42: "because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel." Three times in two verses the text names "the LORD God of Israel" (Yahweh Elohe Yisrael, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל), emphasizing that covenant relationship, not military superiority, explains Israel's success. This guards against triumphalism—victory comes not from Israel's righteousness but from God's faithfulness to His promises and His judgment on Canaanite wickedness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The geographical scope—from Kadesh-barnea (southern border) to Gaza (southwest) to Goshen (probably a region south of Hebron, not Egyptian Goshen) to Gibeon (central highlands)—describes the area now comprising southern Israel. Archaeological surveys show numerous Late Bronze Age destructions in this region, though precise dating and attribution to Joshua's campaign remain debated among scholars. Sites like Lachish, Debir (Tel Beit Mirsim), and Hebron show destruction layers from this period.

The phrase "at one time" (pa'am achat, פַּעַם אֶחָת) indicates a single unified campaign rather than decades of gradual settlement. This accords with the book's portrayal of rapid initial conquest followed by extended mop-up operations and tribal allotments. The unified campaign was possible because the southern coalition's aggregation into a single force allowed Joshua to defeat them collectively rather than engaging each city individually. Their strategic error (concentrating forces) became Israel's opportunity (one decisive battle).

The conquest's theological framework distinguished it from typical ancient Near Eastern warfare motivated by imperial expansion, economic gain, or glory. Israel entered Canaan not to build empire but to establish holy community in the land God promised Abraham. The herem restrictions—no plunder (initially), no treaties, no intermarriage—prevented Israel from benefiting materially from conquest, emphasizing that this was divine judgment, not human aggression. Later violations of these restrictions (Achan's theft, treaties with Canaanites, intermarriage) produced the corruptions that eventually led to Israel's own exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding Canaan conquest as unique, unrepeatable divine judgment prevent misapplying these texts to justify violence today?
  2. What does the emphasis "the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel" teach about attributing success to divine grace rather than human achievement?
  3. How should the sobering reality of divine judgment on persistent, unrepentant sin affect our evangelism and our own pursuit of holiness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וַיַּכֶּ֣ה1 of 24

“smote”

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ2 of 24

“So Joshua”

H3091

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

אֶת3 of 24
H853

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

כָּל4 of 24
H3605

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

הָאָ֡רֶץ5 of 24

“all the country”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הָהָר֩6 of 24

“of the hills”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וְהַנֶּ֨גֶב7 of 24

“and of the south”

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)

וְהַשְּׁפֵלָ֜ה8 of 24

“and of the vale”

H8219

lowland, i.e., (with the article) the maritime slope of palestine

וְהָֽאֲשֵׁד֗וֹת9 of 24

“and of the springs”

H794

a ravine

וְאֵת֙10 of 24
H853

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

כָּל11 of 24
H3605

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

מַלְכֵיהֶ֔ם12 of 24

“and all their kings”

H4428

a king

לֹ֥א13 of 24
H3808

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

הִשְׁאִ֖יר14 of 24

“he left”

H7604

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

שָׂרִ֑יד15 of 24

“none remaining”

H8300

a survivor

וְאֵ֤ת16 of 24
H853

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

כָּל17 of 24
H3605

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

הַנְּשָׁמָה֙18 of 24

“all that breathed”

H5397

a puff, i.e., wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal

הֶֽחֱרִ֔ים19 of 24

“but 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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֣ר20 of 24
H834

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

צִוָּ֔ה21 of 24

“commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוָ֖ה22 of 24

“as the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֥י23 of 24

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃24 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

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 10:40 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 10:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 7:2-16Joshua 10:37Exodus 23:31-331 Kings 15:29Joshua 6:172 Thessalonians 1:7-9

Places in This Verse

NegebRegion · Modern: Tel Beer Sheva · 31.24°N, 34.84°E43 verses across 13 books
ShephelahRegion · Modern: Shephelah · 31.69°N, 34.88°E19 verses across 9 books
View all places in Joshua 10 →

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