Joshua’s resolute capture of Hebron demonstrates the absolute trustworthiness of God’s promises.
“They captured it and struck it and its king and all its cities and all the persons who were in it with the edge of the sword. He left no survivor remaining in it; just as he had done to Eglon, he utterly destroyed it and all the persons who were in it.” (v.37)
In Joshua 10:37, the Israelites, under Joshua’s leadership, attack the city of Hebron right after capturing Eglon in the southern region of Canaan. Joshua, who began leading Israel around 1406 BC after Moses’ death, had already crossed the Jordan River following the LORD’s promise that He would fight for His people (Joshua 1:9). Here, “They captured it and struck it and its king and all its cities” describes how Israel fully subdued Hebron in the same manner as other Canaanite cities. Hebron, located about nineteen miles south of Jerusalem, was a major site in the region and a key fortress city. It was notably associated with Abraham, who resided there centuries before (Genesis 13:18). The complete destruction seen in “He left no survivor remaining in it” might trouble modern readers, but in the context of Israel’s covenant with God, removing the entrenched evil practices of Canaanite cultures was part of fulfilling the LORD’s instructions (Deuteronomy 7:2). This obedience also ensured that the paganism and moral corruptions of the land would not corrupt the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:4).
The verse states that Joshua treated Hebron “just as he had done to Eglon,” meaning he was consistent in carrying out the conquest instructions. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, conquering armies typically destroyed cities’ fortifications, people, and possessions to prevent future uprisings and pagan influences. The text emphasizes that God was present with Joshua, granting military victory to fulfill His promise to give Israel the land. This conquest foreshadows the believer’s spiritual victories, where followers of Jesus must allow God to remove sin thoroughly from their lives (Romans 8:13). Joshua’s unwavering devotion to the LORD exemplifies a commitment to trust Him fully, even when fighting formidable adversaries (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Historically, Hebron would later become a royal city under King David, around 1010 BC (2 Samuel 2:1). That future significance highlights God’s plan for Hebron in biblical history, tying Israel’s conquests to His larger program of salvation. As the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, it served as a reminder of God’s promises dating back to Abraham and ultimately looks ahead to Jesus, born of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1:1-2). In this way, the conquest of Hebron in Joshua 10:37 looks both backward to the patriarchs and forward to the King of kings, who will ultimately conquer sin and death on behalf of His people.
Joshua 10:37 underscores God’s faithfulness to deliver on His covenant promises and the call for His people to be resolute in eradicating unrighteousness.
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Joshua 10:37 meaning
“They captured it and struck it and its king and all its cities and all the persons who were in it with the edge of the sword. He left no survivor remaining in it; just as he had done to Eglon, he utterly destroyed it and all the persons who were in it.” (v.37)
In Joshua 10:37, the Israelites, under Joshua’s leadership, attack the city of Hebron right after capturing Eglon in the southern region of Canaan. Joshua, who began leading Israel around 1406 BC after Moses’ death, had already crossed the Jordan River following the LORD’s promise that He would fight for His people (Joshua 1:9). Here, “They captured it and struck it and its king and all its cities” describes how Israel fully subdued Hebron in the same manner as other Canaanite cities. Hebron, located about nineteen miles south of Jerusalem, was a major site in the region and a key fortress city. It was notably associated with Abraham, who resided there centuries before (Genesis 13:18). The complete destruction seen in “He left no survivor remaining in it” might trouble modern readers, but in the context of Israel’s covenant with God, removing the entrenched evil practices of Canaanite cultures was part of fulfilling the LORD’s instructions (Deuteronomy 7:2). This obedience also ensured that the paganism and moral corruptions of the land would not corrupt the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 7:4).
The verse states that Joshua treated Hebron “just as he had done to Eglon,” meaning he was consistent in carrying out the conquest instructions. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, conquering armies typically destroyed cities’ fortifications, people, and possessions to prevent future uprisings and pagan influences. The text emphasizes that God was present with Joshua, granting military victory to fulfill His promise to give Israel the land. This conquest foreshadows the believer’s spiritual victories, where followers of Jesus must allow God to remove sin thoroughly from their lives (Romans 8:13). Joshua’s unwavering devotion to the LORD exemplifies a commitment to trust Him fully, even when fighting formidable adversaries (Ephesians 6:10-17).
Historically, Hebron would later become a royal city under King David, around 1010 BC (2 Samuel 2:1). That future significance highlights God’s plan for Hebron in biblical history, tying Israel’s conquests to His larger program of salvation. As the inheritance of the tribe of Judah, it served as a reminder of God’s promises dating back to Abraham and ultimately looks ahead to Jesus, born of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1:1-2). In this way, the conquest of Hebron in Joshua 10:37 looks both backward to the patriarchs and forward to the King of kings, who will ultimately conquer sin and death on behalf of His people.
Joshua 10:37 underscores God’s faithfulness to deliver on His covenant promises and the call for His people to be resolute in eradicating unrighteousness.