This verse reminds readers that God’s people experience victory in His power.
Joshua 10:20 describes a pivotal moment in Israel’s southern campaign under Joshua’s leadership. When the text says, “It came about when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished slaying them with a very great slaughter, until they were destroyed, and the survivors who remained of them had entered the fortified cities,” (v.20), it portrays the thoroughness of Israel’s victory. Joshua, who led the nation of Israel around 1400 BC following the death of Moses, orchestrates a decisive military operation that effectively deals with multiple opposing forces. These adversaries had banded together against Gibeon, a city in central Canaan, but found themselves overcome by the Israelite offensive. The fortified cities to which the remaining enemies fled were likely strongholds throughout the southern region of Canaan, characterized by high walls and robust defenses, typical of urban centers in the Late Bronze Age.
The verse emphasizes the completeness of the triumph, showing that even though some adversaries escaped, their flight ended in a defensive withdrawal behind city walls rather than on open battleground. By specifically mentioning “when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished slaying them…until they were destroyed,” (v.20), the narrative underscores a sustained engagement that continued until the enemy forces were essentially neutralized. This is a demonstration of the LORD’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel, reminiscent of how God ensures victory for His people Romans 8:37).
Furthermore, Joshua’s success can be seen in light of God’s overarching plan to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham. The defeat of these opposing armies foreshadows the eventual settlement of Israel in the Promised Land. The unity and decisiveness of Joshua and his forces mirror the spiritual principle that complete reliance on divine guidance brings triumph, a theme fully realized in the New Testament through Jesus, who overcomes all spiritual opposition and grants victory to those who trust in Him John 16:33).
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Joshua 10:20 meaning
Joshua 10:20 describes a pivotal moment in Israel’s southern campaign under Joshua’s leadership. When the text says, “It came about when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished slaying them with a very great slaughter, until they were destroyed, and the survivors who remained of them had entered the fortified cities,” (v.20), it portrays the thoroughness of Israel’s victory. Joshua, who led the nation of Israel around 1400 BC following the death of Moses, orchestrates a decisive military operation that effectively deals with multiple opposing forces. These adversaries had banded together against Gibeon, a city in central Canaan, but found themselves overcome by the Israelite offensive. The fortified cities to which the remaining enemies fled were likely strongholds throughout the southern region of Canaan, characterized by high walls and robust defenses, typical of urban centers in the Late Bronze Age.
The verse emphasizes the completeness of the triumph, showing that even though some adversaries escaped, their flight ended in a defensive withdrawal behind city walls rather than on open battleground. By specifically mentioning “when Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished slaying them…until they were destroyed,” (v.20), the narrative underscores a sustained engagement that continued until the enemy forces were essentially neutralized. This is a demonstration of the LORD’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel, reminiscent of how God ensures victory for His people Romans 8:37).
Furthermore, Joshua’s success can be seen in light of God’s overarching plan to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham. The defeat of these opposing armies foreshadows the eventual settlement of Israel in the Promised Land. The unity and decisiveness of Joshua and his forces mirror the spiritual principle that complete reliance on divine guidance brings triumph, a theme fully realized in the New Testament through Jesus, who overcomes all spiritual opposition and grants victory to those who trust in Him John 16:33).