King James Version

What Does Joshua 10:43 Mean?

Joshua 10:43 in the King James Version says “And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.”

Joshua 10:43 · KJV

Context

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.

43

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal.

Read Joshua 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal—Gilgal (גִּלְגָּל, "circle [of stones]") served as Israel's base camp throughout the conquest (Joshua 4:19, 5:10, 9:6). The return to Gilgal after victory wasn't retreat but strategic repositioning. Gilgal represented the place where Israel crossed Jordan, was circumcised, celebrated Passover, and first ate the produce of Canaan—a place thick with covenant memory.

The phrase "all Israel with him" emphasizes national unity under Joshua's leadership. Unlike the later period of the Judges when "every man did that which was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25), here we see Israel functioning as am echad (עַם אֶחָד, "one people") under God's appointed leader. This unity, combined with covenant obedience, resulted in victory. The pattern is clear: advance in obedience, conquer in faith, return to the place of covenant remembrance, then advance again.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Gilgal was located near Jericho in the Jordan Valley, about 2 miles from the Jordan River and 10 miles from Jerusalem. It served as Israel's military headquarters during the conquest period, strategically positioned to launch campaigns into both the central hill country and the southern regions. The site remained significant in Israel's history, later visited by Samuel (1 Samuel 7:16) and where Saul was made king (1 Samuel 11:15).

Reflection Questions

  1. What is your 'Gilgal'—the place where you remember God's faithfulness and return for spiritual renewal?
  2. How does returning to foundational covenant truths between ministry efforts strengthen our effectiveness?
  3. What does the unity of 'all Israel with him' teach about the importance of corporate obedience and fellowship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
וַיָּ֤שָׁב1 of 8

“returned”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יְהוֹשֻׁ֙עַ֙2 of 8

“And Joshua”

H3091

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

וְכָל3 of 8
H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל4 of 8

“and all Israel”

H3478

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

עִמּ֔וֹ5 of 8
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֶל6 of 8
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֖ה7 of 8

“with him unto the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

הַגִּלְגָּֽלָה׃8 of 8

“to Gilgal”

H1537

gilgal, the name of three places in palestine

Study Guide