Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 10:38
And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:
38. returned] or turned. “Turnyde in,” Wyclif. The words indicate a change in the direction of the march. Comp. Exo 5:22, “and Moses returned unto the Lord,” From Hebron he turned in to the south-west, and attacked Debir.
Debir ] The early name of this city was Kirjath-sepher = “ the town of the book ” (Jos 15:15; Jdg 1:11), or Kirjath-sannah = “ the town of palm ” (“of the law”?) (Jos 15:49). We find it afterwards given with its “suburbs” to the priests (Jos 21:15; 1Ch 6:58). “About three miles to the west of Hebron is a deep and secluded valley called the Wady Nunkr, enclosed on the north by hills, of which one bears a name certainly suggestive of Debir, Dewr-ban. The name supplies some evidence that the Canaanites were acquainted with writing and books. The town probably contained a noted school, or was the site of an oracle, and the residence of some learned priests.” This accounts for the Hebrew name, Debir, which Jerome renders “oraculum.” The same term was used to denote the adytum of Solomon’s temple.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Joshua returned – The words mark a change in the direction of the march. Joshua from Hebron turned to the southwest, and attacked Debir or Kirjath-sepher and its dependencies Jos 15:15.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
He is said to return thither, not as if he had been there before, but because having gone as far westward and southward as he thought fit, even as far as Gaza, Jos 10:41, he now returned towards Gilgal, which lay northward and eastward from him, and in his return fell upon Debir: See Poole “Jos 15:15“.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir,…. A city, according to Kimchi, which he passed by when he went to Hebron, and did not fight against it; but, when he had taken Hebron, returned and took it; and which Bunting h says was but a mile from it, and twenty two miles from Jerusalem, towards the south; it is the same with Kirjathsepher and Kirjathsannah, Jos 15:15; the city of a book or books; and the Rabbins say i, that with the Persians Debir signifies the same, and had its name from a library which was here kept, or from the archives in which the most memorable things since the flood were recorded; or from the making of paper or parchment, or whatsoever was made use of for writing, and of which volumes of books were made:
and fought against it; it refusing to submit to him upon his summons.
h Travels of the Patriarchs, &c. p. 96. i T. Bab. Avodah Zarah, fol. 24. 2.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(38) Debir is not identified.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
38. Hebron See on Jos 10:3. As the king of Hebron had been executed at Makkedah, his successor is probably referred to as killed in this siege.
[ 38. And Joshua returned to Debir Debir has not been with certainty identified with any modern name. Van de Velde finds it in a place called Dilbeh, six miles southwest of Hebron. Compare Stanley’s note at Jos 15:18. Others suppose it to have been nearer Hebron, on the west. Dr. Rosen places it, with much probability, at Dewirban. Its earlier name was Kirjath-sepher, (Jos 15:15,) which means book city, and intimates that the original Canaanitish inhabitants were acquainted with writing and books, and that their city became noted for learning. The same place is called Kirjath-sannah in Jos 15:49, a name of similar meaning.]
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fought against it. And he took it and its king, and all its cities, and they smote them with the edge of the sword and utterly destroyed (devoted) all the souls who were in it. He left none remaining. As he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to its king, as he had done also to Libnah and to its king.’
Debir too was in the highlands and again part of a confederacy of cities. But this did not help it and once more Joshua was successful. This too was conquered and all its people put to the sword. But the same situation would arise with Debir. Once Joshua had passed on to the north Hebron and Debir were rebuilt as far as necessary (it is not said that he set fire to them) and re-inhabited, having to be captured a second time by Caleb under Joshua’s overall command (Jos 11:21; Jos 15:13-19; Jdg 1:10-15 which was a flashback).
This was not needless slaughter. Having demonstrated their belligerence against Israel their strength had to be seriously weakened for Israel’s sake in the future. Israel could not settle in the land while there were powerful alliances against them.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jos 10:38 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:
Ver. 38. To Debir. ] Formerly called Kirjathsepher. Jdg 1:12
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 10:38-39
38Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to Debir, and they fought against it. 39He captured it and its king and all its cities, and they struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed every person who was in it. He left no survivor. Just as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir and its king, as he had also done to Libnah and its king.
NASB (UPDATED TEXT): Jos 10:40-43
40 Thus Joshua struck all the land, the hill country and the Negev and the lowland and the slopes and all their kings. He left no survivor, but he utterly destroyed all who breathed, just as the LORD, the God of Israel, had commanded. 41Joshua struck them from Kadesh-barnea even as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen even as far as Gibeon. 42Joshua captured all these kings and their lands at one time, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.
Jos 10:40-43 These verses are a geographical summary of the military campaign up to this point (i.e., southern Canaan). Notice the continued use of the term utterly destroy all who breathe. Again, this refers to humans and animals because they became dedicated to God (i.e., herem, BDB 355).
Jos 10:40 In Jos 10:40 several topological and geographical areas are mentioned.
1. the hill country, BDB 249, refers to the highlands of Judah, cf. Jos 11:3; Jos 11:21; Jos 15:48; Jos 18:12; Jos 20:7; Jos 21:11 (not Jos 11:2)
2. the Negev, BDB 616, means the semi-arid pasture lands of southern Judah, cf. Jos 15:19; Jos 15:21-23
3. the lowlands, BDB 1050, strip of land west of the Judean hill country, cf. Jos 15:33 (not Jos 11:2)
4. the slopes, BDB 78, the hillsides to the east of the Judean hills, sloping toward the Dead Sea, cf. Jos 12:8 (on eastern side of Jordan, cf. Jos 12:3; Jos 13:20; Deu 3:17; Deu 4:49)
Jos 10:41 Gaza See a good article in NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 652-653.
Goshen The land of Goshen mentioned here is not the one in Egypt, but the one in Canaan (cf. Jos 15:51).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why did these Canaanite kings attack one of their own cities?
2. How Isa 10:12-13 related to the concept of natural law?
3. Why did Joshua hang the dead kings on trees until dark?
4. What does the term holy war imply and why?
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Debir = Oracle: south of Hebron. Called Kirjath sepher = Book Town (Jos 15:15. Jdg 1:11), and Kirjath sannah = Precept Town (Jos 15:49);.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Debir: Debir was situated in the south of the tribe of Judah, near Hebron. The expression of Joshua’s returning to Debir, probably denotes, that having carried his conquests in the southern parts as far as Gaza – Jos 10:41, which was in the south-west angle of Canaan, he then marched back to besiege Debir. Jos 12:13, Jos 15:15, Jos 15:49, Jos 21:15, Jdg 1:11-15
Reciprocal: Jos 15:7 – Debir 1Ch 6:58 – Debir
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 10:38. Joshua returned to Debir Joshua had not been there before, but having advanced as far south and west as he thought expedient, even as far as Gaza, which was in the western coast, (Jos 10:41,) he now returned toward the camp at Gilgal, which was north-east from him, and in his march thither took Debir, which afterward was a city of Judah, (Jos 15:49,) and one of the cities of the priests, Jos 21:15.