Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 10:40
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.
40 43. Survey of the Results of the Campaign in Southern Canaan
40. all the country ] Rather, all the land, the hill country, &c. The entire region is comprehensively surveyed, and then treated with special detail: ( a) The Hills; ( b) The South; ( c) The Vale; ( d) The Springs.
( a) The Hills, i.e. the mountain district of Judah extending southward from Jerusalem. It consists of calcareous limestone, and forms the water-parting between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, rising to the height of 3000 feet. It is generally, especially in the southern portion, an uneven and rocky district.
( b) The South = the Negeb, the “land of the south,” the dry, parched land, where the mountain-brooks fail in the summer (Psa 126:4). It is a limestone district, a land intermediate between wilderness and cultivated land, like the steppes of southern Russia. Because it lay in the south of Palestine, “Negeb” comes to mean generally “ south ” (comp. Num 35:5; Exo 40:24; Jos 17:9-10). It must, however, have once been fertile, for Palmer and Drake found grape-mounds all round the western border. “Almost sudden was the transition to the upland wilderness, the ‘Negeb,’ or south country a series of rolling hills, clad with scanty herbage here and there, especially on their northern faces; and steadily rising, till the barometer, falling three and a half inches, told us that we had mounted 3,200 feet above our camp of the morning.” Tristram’s Land of Israel, pp. 365, 366.
( c) The Vale, i.e. the Lowlands, or Shephlah, a strip of land in southern Palestine stretching alone from Joppa to Gaza, “the plain of the Philistines.” “Viewed from the sea this maritime region appears as a long low coast of white or cream-coloured sand, its slight undulations rising occasionally into mounds or cliffs, which in one or two places almost aspire to the dignity of headlands.”
( d) The Springs, rather the Slopes or Declivities. The verb from which the original word is formed, denotes to pour, to rush down. Hence it means (i) an outpouring; (ii) a place, upon which something pours out. Comp. Deu 3:17, “from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdoth-pisgah” = the springs or slopes of Pisgah (see margin), where the LXX. and English Version treat the word as a proper name. The word here denotes the district of undulating ground between the Shephlah or “lowlands,” just mentioned, and the hill or “mountain” of the centre.
as the Lord ] See Deu 20:16-17.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
See Jos 9:1. The south was the Negeb Num 13:17. Render the springs slopes. The word here means the district of undulating ground between the vale (or shephelah) last named and the hills.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 40. All the country of the hills] See Clarke on De 1:7.
Destroyed all that breathed] Every person found in arms who continued to resist; these were all destroyed, – those who submitted were spared: but many no doubt made their escape, and afterwards reoccupied certain parts of the land. See Jos 10:36-37.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
All that breathed, i.e. all mankind, by a synecdoche; for they reserved the cattle for their own uses.
As the Lord God of Israel commanded: this is added for the vindication of the Israelites, whom God would not have to suffer in their reputation for executing his commands; and therefore he acquits them of that implacable hatred and heinous cruelty which they might be thought guilty of, and ascribes it to himself and his own just indignation against this most wicked people.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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,…. That part of the land of Canaan which lay southward, and consisted of hills and vales; which abounded with springs, and was a well watered country, and agrees with the description Moses gives of it, though he never saw it, De 8:7;
he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed; that is, all human creatures; for as for the cattle, they were spared as a prey:
as the Lord God of Israel commanded; this law is extant, De 20:16; and which is here observed to clear the Israelites from the charge of cruelty and inhumanity; since what they did was not of themselves, nor from a private spirit of revenge, nor a greedy desire after the substance of the inhabitants; but in obedience to the command of God, and who ordered this as a righteous punishment of those people for their gross abominations of idolatry, incest, &c. see Le 18:1.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Summary of the Conquest of the Whole of Southern Canaan. – In the further prosecution of his victory over the five allied kings, Joshua smote the whole land, i.e., the whole of the south of Canaan from Gibeon onwards, in all its districts, namely the mountains (Jos 15:48), the Negeb (the south land, Jos 15:21), the lowlands (Jos 15:33), and the slopes, i.e., the hill region (Jos 12:8, and comm. on Num 21:15), and all the kings of these different districts, banning every living thing ( = , Jos 10:28, Jos 10:30, i.e., all the men; vid., Deu 7:1-2; Deu 20:16. He smote them from Kadesh-barnea, on the southern boundary of Canaan (Jos 15:3; see at Num 12:16), to Gaza (see at Gen 10:9), and all the country of Goshen, a different place from the Goshen of Egypt, deriving its name in all probability from the town of Goshen on the southern portion of the mountains (Jos 15:51). As the line “ from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza ” defines the extent of the conquered country from south to north on the western side, so the parallel clause, “ all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon,” defines the extent from south to north on the eastern side. There is no tenable ground for the view expressed by Knobel, which rests upon very uncertain etymological combinations, that the land of Goshen signifies the hill country between the mountains and the plain, and is equivalent to .
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
Victory Complete, vs. 40-43
The extinction of the Canaanites was by the orders of the Lord Himself, that the land might be cleansed and its idolatry eradicated and it become a fit place for the abode of His people.
In this southern phase of the conquest it appears that Joshua carried out the commands of the Lord very well. The area thus subdued stretched from Gibeon on the north to the far south, along a line from Kadesh-barnea (where the Israelites had sent out spies to Canaan soon after they left Egypt) to Gaza, near the Mediterranean coast.
It reached from the Jordan on the east to the great sea (Mediterranean) on the west. Joshua and Israel subdued all the kings of this area in this one campaign because “the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.”
Let us learn that 1) bad decisions will soon bring us serious problems; 2) God will permit, within His will, whatever is necessary to win the victory over our enemies; 3) when the victory is sure we are not to rest on our laurels, but continue to make it complete; 4) if we would not have to do our work over we must do a good job in the beginning, (Gal 6:9).
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
40. So Joshua smote all the country, etc Here the divine authority is again interposed in order completely to acquit Joshua of any charge of cruelty. Had he proceeded of his own accord to commit an indiscriminate massacre of women and children, no excuse could have exculpated him from the guilt of detestable cruelty, cruelty surpassing anything of which we read as having been perpetrated by savage tribes scarcely raised above the level of the brutes. But that at which all would otherwise be justly horrified, it becomes them to embrace with reverence, as proceeding from God. Clemency is justly praised as one of the principal virtues; but it is the clemency of those who moderate their wrath when they have been injured, and when they would have been justified, as individuals, in shedding blood. But as God had destined the swords of his people for the slaughter of the Amorites, Joshua could do nothing else than obey his command.
By this fact, then, not only are all mouths stopped, but all minds also are restrained from presuming to pass censure. When any one hears it said that Joshua slew all who came in his way without distinction, although they threw down their arms and suppliantly begged for mercy, the calmest minds are aroused by the bare and simple statement, but when it is added, that so God had commanded, there is no more ground for obloquy against him, than there is against those who pronounce sentence on criminals. Though, in our judgment at least, the children and many of the women also were without blame, let us remember that the judgment-seat of heaven is not subject to our laws. Nay, rather when we see how the green plants are thus burned, let us, who are dry wood, fear a heavier judgment for ourselves. And certainly, any man who will thoroughly examine himself, will find that he is deserving of a hundred deaths. Why, then, should not the Lord perceive just ground for one death in any infant which has only passed from its mother’s womb? In vain shall we murmur or make noisy complaint, that he has doomed the whole offspring of an accursed race to the same destruction; the potter will nevertheless have absolute power over his own vessels, or rather over his own clay. (108)
The last verse (109) confirms the observation already made, that the fixed station of the whole people was in Gilgal; and that the soldiers who had gone out to war, returned thither, both that they might rest from their fatigues, and place their booty in safety. It would not have been proper to allow them to be more widely scattered till the casting of the lot had shown where each was to have his permanent abode.
(108) French, “ Car cela n’empeschera point que le potier n’ait puissance de faire de ses pots tout ce qu’il luy plaira;” “For that will not hinder the potter from having power to make of his pots whatever he pleases.” — Ed.
(109) This verse is also omitted by the Septuagint. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(40) Of the hillsi.e., the mountains of Judah and Ephraim.
The southi.e., the Ngeb.
The valei.e., Shephlah, the plain of the coast, but not apparently including the Philistine territory, which was not conquered by Joshua.
The springsor shdoth. Some render it the slopes or declivities, the country between the high hills and the low plain of the coast.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
40. Country of the hills The mountain ridge, which is the backbone of the Holy Land, is cut up into hills by ravines which stretch away to the Dead Sea and the Mediterranean. The heads of these valleys often interlap for a considerable distance, forming numerous steep hills.
The south The Negeb. This term designates that territory which was subsequently occupied by Judah and Simeon, and also a portion of Edom. It is a geographical term, used constantly to designate the land lying to the south of Palestine, and should always be translated the south country, as it is in Gen 20:1. In later Hebrew writers it extended from Southern Canaan to Arabia Petraea and Egypt.
The vale The shephelah. This word, with one exception, (Jos 11:16,) always designates the maritime plain of Philistia, from Joppa to the borders of Egypt.
The springs , slopes where torrents flow together; ravines.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ So Joshua smote all the land, the hill country and the South (the Negeb), and the lowland (Shephelah) and the slopes and all their kings. He left none remaining, but he utterly destroyed (devoted) all that breathed as YHWH, the God of Israel, commanded.’
The purpose of Joshua’s invasion of the South was to break down resistance and to kill kings and decimate armies, and weaken the cities by destroying all the inhabitants who remained behind so that they would leave Israel alone. It was a softening up operation. In the nature of what he still had to do he could not occupy them or leave men behind in them. It was an exercise in breaking their backs so that later they would be too weak to resist when Israel finally sought to take them over. But many of the people would still have survived, and once Joshua had moved on, would return and seek to re-establish their cities and encampments.
Note the different areas involved, the southern mountains (the hill country), the south (Negeb) which was the semi-desert area on the southern borders with its oases, the low hills (the Shephelah) sloping down towards the plain, the slopes (the meaning of the word is not certain), possibly the slopes and cliffs of the Negeb and the Shephelah. But campaign went on for a long time but he could not cover every inch of ground.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Jos 10:40 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.
Ver. 40. As the Lord God of Israel commanded. ] It was not therefore cruelty, but obedience, to slay so many thousands. There is a pious cruelty, saith one. And Magna quidem est in ilia severitate pietas per quam tollitur peccandi libertas, saith another: a there is great piety in that severity which taketh away licentious liberty.
a Gregory.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
country of the hills = the land of the hill country.
breathed = had neshamah. App-16.
commanded. Compare Deu 20:16, Deu 20:17.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
all the country: Jos 15:21-63, Jos 18:21-28, Jos 19:1-8, Jos 19:40-48
utterly: Jos 10:35, Jos 10:37, 1Ki 15:29, Psa 9:17, 2Th 1:7-9
as the Lord: Jos 6:17, Jos 8:2, Jos 8:27, Jos 9:24, Exo 23:31-33, Exo 34:12, Deu 7:2-16, Deu 26:16, Deu 26:17
Reciprocal: Gen 13:1 – the south Num 31:15 – General Deu 1:7 – in the plain Deu 20:16 – General Jos 10:39 – he left none Jos 11:2 – on the north Jos 11:11 – any left to breathe Jos 11:12 – all the Jos 11:14 – neither Jos 12:8 – the mountains Jos 13:4 – the land of Luk 1:39 – into Luk 1:65 – all the
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 10:40. All that breathed That is, all mankind; they reserved the cattle for their own uses. As God had commanded This is added for the vindication of the Israelites, whom God would not have to suffer in their reputation for executing his commands; and therefore, he acquits them of that cruelty which they might be thought guilty of, and ascribes it to his own just indignation. And hereby was typified the final destruction of all the impenitent enemies of the Lord Jesus, who, having slighted the riches of his grace, must for ever feel the weight of his wrath.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
10:40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the {i} 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.
(i) Some read, Ashedoth, which signifies the descents of the hills.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
These verses summarize the conquest of the whole southern portion of Canaan. As we shall see later, Israel did not defeat every town or kill every Canaanite without exception. However, Joshua effectively removed the military threat to Israel that the cities in the south posed. "All" (Jos 10:40) has a limited meaning. In this context it means all parts of the land, all the kings of the cities that Joshua destroyed, and all who lived in those cities (cf. Jos 13:1).
Goshen (Jos 10:41) was a town on the southern frontier of Israel (Jos 15:51). The reference is not to the section of Egypt that bore this name.
The writer emphasized God’s fighting for Israel again (Jos 10:42).
God’s people do not have to engage every enemy that exists immediately, any more than the Israelites had to kill every individual Canaanite or attack every city immediately. At this stage in their national life God’s will was that they attack only certain selected targets. Sometimes we can experience discouragement when we look at the host of wicked people that surrounds us, or the many sins that plague us. We may think, "What can one individual do to stem such a tide of wickedness?" We may even think it is useless to do anything in view of the huge task we face (Mat 28:19-20). In those situations we need to do what God puts before us to do day by day rather than taking on more responsibility than God wants us to assume immediately (cf. Mat 6:25-34).