Josué 10
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 10
Wiersbe - As this confederation of armies and kings assembled, God in heaven must have laughed (Ps. 2:1–4), because unknown to them He was using these events to accomplish His own purposes. Instead of having to defeat these five city-states one by one, He would help Joshua conquer them all at one time! Just as God used the defeat at Ai to form a battle plan for victory over Ai (Josh. 8), so also He used Joshua’s mistake with the Gibeonites to protect Gibeon and accelerate the conquest of Canaan. The mistakes we make embarrass us, especially those mistakes that are caused by our running ahead of the Lord and not seeking His will. But we need to remember that no mistake is final for the dedicated Christian. God can use even our blunders to accomplish His purposes. Somebody defined success as “the art of making your mistakes when nobody’s looking”; but a better definition would be “the art of seeing victory where other people see only defeat.” (Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life) Related Resource: Who were the Amorites? | GotQuestions.org George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 10 The five kings of the Amorites. The name of this people is often taken in a large sense for that of the Canaanites generally, or any one of them, doubtless from their being the most powerful of the distinct tribes that inhabited the country. Strictly speaking, the people of Hebron were Hittites, ch. 11:19, and those of Jerusalem, Jebusites, ch. 15:63; and in one place, 2 Sam. 21:2, the Gibeonites themselves, though generally termed Hivites, are said to be ‘of the remnant of the Amorites.’ The probability is, that the Amorites, being a numerous and powerful people in the Moabitish territory, sent out colonies to these several places, which, having subdued the original inhabitants, communicated their own name very extensively over the country. Made war against it. Put themselves in a warlike attitude, made ready for an assault, were on the eve of attacking them. Joshua 10:6 Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, "Do not abandon your servants; come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us." the camp: Jos 5:10 9:6 do not abandon: 2Ki 4:24 your servants: Jos 9:15,24,25 Isa 33:22 hill country: Jos 21:11 De 1:15 Ps 125:2 Lu 1:39 Joshua 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Proposed Location of Gilgal Near Jericho GIBEON APPEALS TO THEIR COVENANT PARTNER Then - This marks progression of events. Clearly Gibeon was in danger of being demolished. The men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal, saying, "Do not abandon your servants - Hebrew = “do not let your hand drop from us.” Notice the irony of this section. Because Joshua had cut covenant with Gibeon, he was obligated to be their Covenant Defender! Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites that live in the hill country have assembled against us - Note their cry crescendos from do not abandon to Come up to an almost panic stricken save us and help us. To the Gibeonites this was a crisis of life or death and their only hope was Joshua. Humanly speaking Joshua could have thought just let them destroy themselves. But as we see Joshua is a covenant keeping commander. He understands the solemn, binding nature of the covenant they had entered into with Gibeon. THOUGHT - Like the Gibeonites every person born in Adam has a crisis of life or death (Ro 5:12; Ro 3:23) and our only hope is to cry out to "Joshua/Jesus!" Have you recognized your dangerous condition and cried out to Him that you might have His eternal life? As an aside it might have been tempting to Israel to not go to the rescue of Gibeon and let the 5 kings defeat them. Then they would be free of their obligations to the covenant and the 5 kings would undoubtedly have been weakened. The fact that Joshua did not take this human path is clear indication of the force of covenant in the ancient world.
Josué 10
Wiersbe - In spite of their paganism, these Gibeonites are a good example for people to follow today. When they knew they were headed for destruction, they came to Joshua (“Jehovah is Savior”) and obtained from him a promise of protection. Would that lost sinners realize their plight and turn to Jesus Christ by faith! When the Gibeonites found themselves in danger, they believed Joshua’s promise and called on him for help. That’s what God’s people need to do when they find themselves facing the battles of life. The Gibeonites turned the whole burden over to Joshua and trusted him to keep his word, and he did. (Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life) Currid - An important element of covenant treaties in the ancient Near East is a loyalty, or protection, clause. For example, in a treaty between the Hittite king Mursilis and Duppi-Tessub of Amurru (fourteenth century BC) we read the following clause written by Mursilis: If anyone should press you hard, Duppi-Tessub, or [if] anyone should revolt against you, [if] you then write to the king of the Hatti land [Hittites], and the king of the Hatti land dispatches foot soldiers and charioteers to your aid—[if you treat them in an unfair manner], you act in disregard of the gods of the oath. (Joshua: Strong and Courageous) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 10 6. Sent unto Joshua. They trusted to the compassion, the nobleness, the generosity, if not the justice of their new ally. They doubted not that he would consider himself bound in honor and conscience to succor and defend them, although it may not have been expressly stipulated for in the articles of the treaty. It was because of their confidence in Israel and their having thrown themselves entirely upon their protection that they were now marked out as objects of the vengeance of their enemies, and to whom should they go in their extremity but to these their natural defenders? So when the powers of darkness, like mighty Amorites, assail the children of God, to whom shall they betake themselves but to Christ, their true Joshua? It is when we are encompassed with evils that we feel the value of that covenant into which we have entered with him. If we attempt to resist our enemies in our own strength, we shall infallibly be vanquished; but if we betake ourselves to the Captain of our salvation by fervent prayer, we cannot but succeed. Slack not thy hand from thy servants. Do not leave them to the fate which threatens them, put forth vigorous efforts for their deliverance, relax not the hold which thou hast by covenant taken of them. Happy the men of Gibeon, that in this awful moment, this very crisis of their fate, they had an interest in Joshua and the armies of Israel! Happy every trembling suppliant at the throne of mercy, if he be interested by faith in the Almighty Joshua, who hath the armies of the living God at his command! Could a heathen say, when a bird pursued by a hawk flew into his bosom, ‘I will not surrender thee to thine enemy, as thou hast come to me for sanctuary?’ Shall not the Saviour then be an unfailing refuge to those who fly to him in their extremity? See on Josh 1:5. That dwell in the mountains. Heb. ההר ישבי yōshebē hâhâr, dwellers or inhabitants of the mountain; i. e. of the mountainous regions. The allusion is to the tract lying to the southwest of Jerusalem called ‘the hill country,’ Luke 1:39, 65, in which were situated the four cities mentioned above, v. 3. Joshua 10:7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him and all the valiant warriors. Isa 8:12,14 Joshua 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Source: Joshua Teach the Text Commentary JOSHUA IMMEDIATELY TO THE RESCUE! So - Term of conclusion. Their cry for help elicited an immediate response. Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him and all the valiant (chayil) warriors - From the text it appears Joshua immediately came to the aid of his covenant partner Gibeon. One might also reason that he saw the strategic opportunity to utterly destroy five enemy kings in "one fell swoop!" The march from Gilgal to Gibeon was about 25 miles with a significant rise in elevation. In human terms Joshua's army must have been exhausted, but remember Yahweh in on their side and He may have given them the strength they needed to make an attack. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Verses 7-14. The meanest and most feeble, who have just begun to trust the Lord, are as much entitled to be protected as those who have long and faithfully been his servants. It is our duty to defend the afflicted, who, like the Gibeonites, are brought into trouble on our account, or for the sake of the gospel. Joshua would not forsake his new vassals. How much less shall our true Joshua fail those who trust in Him! We may be wanting in our trust, but our trust never can want success. Yet God's promises are not to slacken and do away, but to quicken and encourage our endeavours. Notice the great faith of Joshua, and the power of God answering it by the miraculous staying of the sun, that the day of Israel's victories might be made longer. Joshua acted on this occasion by impulse on his mind from the Spirit of God. It was not necessary that Joshua should speak, or the miracle be recorded, according to the modern terms of astronomy. The sun appeared to the Israelites over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Ajalon, and there they appeared to be stopped on their course for one whole day. Is any thing too hard for the Lord? forms a sufficient answer to ten thousand difficulties, which objectors have in every age started against the truth of God as revealed in his written word. Proclamation was hereby made to the neighbouring nations, Behold the works of the Lord, and say, What nation is there so great as Israel, who has God so nigh unto them? Related Resources - To help you understand the serious, binding nature of covenant in the context of the ancient world... Covenant: The Exchange of Armor and Belts Covenant: Solemn and Binding Covenant: A Walk Into Death Covenant: The Oneness of Covenant George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 10 7. And all the mighty men of valor. Rather, ‘even all the mighty men of valor;’ so the particle translated ‘and’ is used in hundreds of instances, and it is not easy to suppose that ‘all the people of war,’ and ‘all the mighty men of valor,’ constituted two separate portions of the host. The meaning is simply that he went up with an army of picked men, men of approved valor and tried skill, to defend the Gibeonites, their new allies, against their invaders. A sufficient force would of course be left to guard the camp at Gilgal. Instead of taking any advantage of the mere letter of their compact, and saying that they never promised to run the hazard of their own lives to save theirs, he nobly acts on its spirit, and resolves that they shall be no losers by the confidence they have reposed in him; that they shall not suffer by any calamity which he can avert. ‘To a good mind the strongest obligation is another’s trust; and even permission in those things we may remedy, makes us no less actors, than consent. We are guilty of all the evil we might have hindered.’ Bp. Hall. Joshua 10:8 And the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you." Jos 1:5-9 Josh 8:1 11:6 De 3:2 Dt 20:1-4 Jdg 4:14,15 Ps 27:1,2 Isa 41:10-15 Ro 8:31 Joshua 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Deuteronomy 7:24 “He will deliver their kings into your hand so that you will make their name perish from under heaven; no man will be able to stand before you until you have destroyed them. Deuteronomy 11:25 “No man will be able to stand before you; the LORD your God will lay the dread of you and the fear of you on all the land on which you set foot, as He has spoken to you. Deuteronomy 20:1-4 “When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you. 2 “When you are approaching the battle, the priest shall come near and speak to the people. 3 “He shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, you are approaching the battle against your enemies today. Do not be fainthearted. Do not be afraid, or panic, or tremble before them, 4f or the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’ JOSHUA GETS DIVINE DIRECTION And the LORD said to Joshua - It seems clear that in this battle, Joshua is getting his "orders" from the Captain of the host of the Lord. THOUGHT - It is worth noting that the LORD is mentioned 13 times in 11 verses in this chapter. The message is clear when we are in spiritual warfare. Keep your eyes on the LORD! Josh 10:8 Josh 10:10 Josh 10:11 Josh 10:12 Josh 10:14 Josh 10:19 Josh 10:25 Josh 10:30 Josh 10:32 Josh 10:40 Josh 10:42 Do not fear (yare) them - Joshua had heard similar words from Jehovah before (Joshua 1:9, Josh 8:1). Clearly he needed to hear them again. THOUGHT - God knows when we need to be "re-encouraged," when the enemy's forces seem to be simply overwhelming. God grant us ears to hear in those times when our knees begin to knock (spiritually speaking). Amen. For - Terms of explanation are always significant but this one was especially so to Joshua because he undoubtedly had scouting reports of a massive enemy force arrayed against Gibeon (and their ally Israel). God seems to like situations where human ability is simply not a reasonable option as it sets the stage perfectly for supernatural action, in this case one of the great miracles of the Bible! Currid points out that "The command from the Lord that Israel should not be afraid has been a foundational principle of the conquest (Deut. 1:29; 7:21; 20:3; 31:6–8; Josh. 1:9). It is the Lord who fights for Israel and he has already ‘given them into your hands’. (Joshua: Strong and Courageous) I have given them into your hands - Given into your hands means given into their power (cf Dt. 7:24; Josh. 6:2; 8:1, 18) Once again we see God's sovereignty of giving the 5 kings into the hands (power) of Joshua, but Israel still had to engage the enemy (human responsibility). Note that given (or delivered - same Hebrew word "nathan") occurs 5 times in Joshua 10 (Joshua 10:8, 12, 19, 30, 32 - each use is translated in Lxx with paradidomi = hand over into the power of another) and in Joshua 10:19 is actually part of Joshua’s battle cry! God will make a similar promise in the next chapter in the face of an even larger enemy contingent - "Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow at this time I will deliver (Hebrew - nathan; Lxx with paradidomi) all of them slain before Israel; you shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.” (Joshua 11:6) THOUGHT - Every believer faces spiritual battles every day. The Lord's charge to each of us is "Fear not!" Fear can cripple your efforts against your spiritual enemies. Notice why we are not to fear. God promises us victory over the world (see Gal 6:14, Jn 16:33), the flesh (Ro 6:6, 11) and the devil (Heb 2:14-15). KJV has "fear not" - Used in 63 passages - Gen. 15:1; Gen. 21:17; Gen. 26:24; Gen. 35:17; Gen. 43:23; Gen. 46:3; Gen. 50:19; Exod. 20:20; Deut. 1:21; Deut. 20:3; Deut. 31:6; Deut. 31:8; Jos. 8:1; Jos. 10:25; Jdg. 4:18; Jdg. 6:10; Jdg. 6:23; Ruth 3:11; 1 Sam. 4:20; 1 Sam. 12:20; 1 Sam. 22:23; 1 Sam. 23:17; 2 Sam. 9:7; 2 Sam. 13:28; 1 Ki. 17:13; 2 Ki. 6:16; 2 Ki. 17:34; 2 Ki. 25:24; 1 Chr. 28:20; 2 Chr. 20:17; Ps. 55:19; Ps. 64:4; Isa. 7:4; Isa. 35:4; Isa. 41:13; Isa. 41:14; Isa. 43:1; Isa. 43:5; Isa. 44:2; Isa. 54:4; Jer. 40:9; Jer. 46:27; Lam. 3:57; Dan. 10:12; Dan. 10:19; Joel 2:21; Zech. 8:13; Mal. 3:5; Matt. 1:20; Matt. 10:28; Matt. 28:5; Lk. 1:13; Lk. 1:30; Lk. 2:10; Lk. 5:10; Lk. 8:50; Lk. 12:7; Lk. 12:32; Lk. 18:4; Jn. 12:15; Acts 27:24; 1 Pet. 2:18; Rev. 1:17 Not one of them shall stand before you - Yahweh doesn't say "most" won't stand but not one of them! This is Yahweh's promise to assure Israel carries out utter destruction of the enemy. This is a reiteration of Joshua 1:5. Alan Carr - He Gave His Promise—The Lord didn’t stop with just a word of encouragement, He also gave them the promise of absolute victory! I would like to say that I still believe the Lord never saved you for you to be defeated! When He saved you, He did so with the promise that you could walk in His victory—1 Cor. 15:57; Rom. 8:37. That doesn’t mean that every situation in life will work out the way you want it to, but it does mean that God will enable you to live above your circumstances and share in His victory over the world, the flesh and the devil!) (Joshua 10:6-14 Valuable Lessons For The Day Of Battle) Davis offers an interesting insight - The latter part of this assurance had already been given to Joshua in 1:5 before the invasion of Canaan. Now Yahweh repeats it. Such is the usual way God has of reassuring his children: not by unveiling to them some new truth previously unknown, but by reaffirming promises already given, which somehow take on special power because of the present pressing need. That is what God’s people usually need—not new truth but old truth freshly applied to their current need. (Joshua: No Falling Words) Paul E Toms - Here is a remarkable fresh promise from the Lord that Joshua needed just at this time. God was faithful to supply him with assurance and direction. As a result Joshua immediately went after the enemies and engaged in that strange battle during which the daylight was prolonged, hailstones fell from heaven, and an overwhelming victory was afforded the Israelites. (This Land Is Your Land)
Josué 10
Wiersbe - It was a long trek from Gilgal to Gibeon, and the road was uphill; but Joshua assembled his troops and made the journey as quickly as possible. No doubt the men were weary when they arrived, but the Lord was with them and gave them victory. What kept the soldiers going? They believed God’s promise and knew that the victory was assured. (Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life) Guzik on by marching all night -Having marched all night from Gilgal: This took hard work and initiative on Joshua’s part. The march from Gilgal to Gibeon involved a climb of 3,300 feet, and the distance was about twenty miles, taking eight to ten hours of hard marching, all through the night.. God does His work, but He draws us into working with Him. Often God waits to see our initiative, our willingness to be a partner with Him, before He does what only He can do.i. This is not the idea that “God helps those who help themselves.” (ED: AND NOT "let go, let God," but "Let God, let's go!) The idea is “God wants to draw His people into partnership with Him in seeing His work done (see notes on 2Co 6:1 = "working together with Him").” George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 10 9. Went up from Gilgal all night. The distance from Gilgal to Gibeon was about twenty-six miles. By a forced march this distance might have been accomplished in one night; but the words do not necessarily restrict us to this period of time. They imply only that he travelled all night, to which, if we please, we may add, part of the preceding or of the following day. The clause quoted reads somewhat awkwardly as it now stands, from its seeming to put the march after the arrival. By omitting the word ‘and,’ which does not occur in the original, and inclosing the remainder in a parenthesis (‘he had gone up from Gilgal all night,’) every thing is made plain. Though he had received the positive assurance of a victory, yet he neglects no prudent means of effecting it, and therefore adopting a military stratagem, comes upon them by surprise. ‘God’s promises are not intended to slacken or supersede, but to quicken and encourage our own endeavors.’ Henry. Joshua 10:10 And the LORD confounded them before Israel, and He slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon, and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. NET The LORD routed them before Israel. Israel thoroughly defeated them at Gibeon. They chased them up the road to the pass of Beth Horon and struck them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. NLT The LORD threw them into a panic, and the Israelites slaughtered great numbers of them at Gibeon. Then the Israelites chased the enemy along the road to Beth-horon, killing them all along the way to Azekah and Makkedah. ESV And the LORD threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. NIV The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great victory at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. the LORD confounded: Jos 11:8 Jdg 4:15 1Sa 7:10-12 2Ch 14:12 Ps 18:14 44:3 78:55 at Gibeon: Isa 28:21 Beth-horon: Jos 16:3,5 21:22 1Sa 13:18 Azekah: Jos 10:11 15:35 Jer 34:7 Makkedah: Jos 10:28 12:16 15:41 Joshua 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Joshua 10:42 Joshua captured all these kings and their lands at one time, because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel. Upper Bethoron With the Descent DIVINELY CREATED CONFUSION THE VICTORY BELONGS TO YAHWEH! And - This links the previous description of the fatigued army of Joshua with the intervention of Yahweh Himself in this battle. God had promised to fight for Israel and here we see Him clearly entering the battle. Recall Moses' promise given to the Second Generation while they were preparing to enter the Promised Land.. ‘The LORD your God who goes before you will Himself fight on your behalf, just as He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, (Dt 1:30, cf Dt 3:22, Ex 14:14. See the striking contrast when the LORD was not with them - Dt 1:42-45) "When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you....for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.' (Dt 20:1, 4) The LORD confounded them before Israel, and He slew (nāḵāh) them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon, and struck (nāḵāh) them as far as Azekah and Makkedah - The LORD is the subject of all four verbs (confounded...slew...pursued...struck) in this verse. Confounded (Lxx - existemi - confuse, amaze) describes the results of a divinely caused panic (cf. Ex. 14:24; 23:27; 1 Sa 7:10). Part of the cause of their panic was the "artillery of heaven" in the next verse! While Yahweh is the Subject of the verbs, almost certainly it was His "instrument" Israel whom He used to slay, pursue and strike the Amorite forces. While the exact locations of Azekah and Makkedah are not known, clearly the retreating enemy is fleeing toward the south and west (See map above) THOUGHT - Beloved, we are in covenant with the same God. As you read this encouraging story of how He came to the aid of Israel in their battle, remember that He is the same LORD today, yesterday and tomorrow. What "overwhelming enemy forces" do you face today? Have you ask Him to come to your aid? Wiersbe - Three factors combined to give Joshua success in this attack: believing a divine promise (v. 8), using sound strategy (v. 9), and calling on the Lord in prayer (vv. 10–15). (Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life) Campbell points out that the escape route of the fiv e kings "was through a narrow pass and down the valley of Aijalon with the Israelites in hot pursuit. This was not the only time that the highroad which led down from the central hill country has been the scene of a rout; in A.D. 66 the Roman general Cestius Gallus fled down this descent before the Jews (see note)." (See note below on Beth-horon) (The Bible Knowledge Commentary) Coleson - This is the proper name of a specific road, the easiest and best road to Jerusalem, in this period, from the Mediterranean and the northern coastal plain. The two towns of Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon marked the path of its main ascent into the hill country. This road branches off from the main interior north-south road near Gibeon—one reason for Gibeon’s importance to Jerusalem as reflected in this narrative. Joshua, Judges, Ruth) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia has an interesting note on the Battle of Beth-Horon - We are not told by which route he marched, but it is significant that the Amorites fled by the way of Beth-horon; that is to say, not toward their own cities, but away from them. A glance at the map shows that this means that Joshua had succeeded in cutting their line of retreat to Jerusalem. He had probably therefore advanced upon Gibeon from the south, instead of by the obvious route past Ai which he had destroyed and Beeroth with which he was in alliance. But, coming up from Gilgal by the ravines in the neighborhood of Jerusalem, he was exposed to a great danger, for the Amorites might have caught him before he had gained a footing on the plateau, and have taken him at a complete disadvantage. Confounded (02000) hamam means to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, throw into commotion. "The basic meaning of this word seems to be "to give attention to" in the negative sense, that is, "harass," "trouble," often with the purpose of creating panic." Of the 13 uses below God is the subject in 10 verses. Of these, five times the object is Israel's enemy whom God strikes with panic for their sake. (See 1 Sa 7:10; Ex 14:24; Ex 23:27; Josh 10:10; Jdg 4:15; and also 2 Chr 15:6 with a more general subject.) Thus it denotes an important aspect of holy war. The verb is used parallel to "scatter" in 2 Sa 22:15; Ps 18:14, and Ps 144:6 (parallel passages). God uses arrows and lightnings to trouble his enemies. (Some would translate hāmam as "set in motion" referring to the arrows and lightning.) The word is also used to indicate the effect of a cart wheel on grain (Isaiah 28:28). But some make wheel the object and translate "set in motion." The word describes God's treatment of the Israelites over forty until they died in the wilderness. He made sure of their death (Dt. 2:15). Other subjects of this verb are: Nebuchadnezzar, against Jerusalem (Jeremiah 51:34), and Haman against the Jews (Esther 9:24) Haman -13 times - brought(1), confounded(1), confuse(1), confused(1), confusion(1), crushed(1), damage(1), destroy(1), disturb(1), routed(3), throw into confusion(1), troubled(1). Exod. 14:24; Exod. 23:27; Deut. 2:15; Jos. 10:10; Jdg. 4:15; 1 Sam. 7:10; 2 Sam. 22:15; 2 Chr. 15:6; Est. 9:24; Ps. 18:14; Ps. 144:6; Isa. 28:28; Jer. 51:34 Slew....struck (05221) nāḵāh meaning to beat, to strike, to wound. The meaning of the vb. ranges from hitting to killing. ni. be hit, be struck down; pu. be battered, ruined, destroyed; hi. strike, hit, beat, strike dead, wound, batter, destroy; ho. be struck down (dead), be taken, be hit (#5782); nom. מַכָּה (makkâ), blow, stroke, wound, plague. Defeat, conquer, i.e., have a military victory over an opponent or enemy (Jos 10:10) Uses of nakah in Joshua - Jos. 7:5; Jos. 8:21; Jos. 8:22; Jos. 8:24; Jos. 9:18; Jos. 10:4; Jos. 10:10; Jos. 10:20; Jos. 10:26; Jos. 10:28; Jos. 10:30; Jos. 10:32; Jos. 10:33; Jos. 10:35; Jos. 10:37; Jos. 10:39; Jos. 10:40; Jos. 10:41; Jos. 11:8; Jos. 11:10; Jos. 11:11; Jos. 11:12; Jos. 11:14; Jos. 11:17; Jos. 12:1; Jos. 12:6; Jos. 12:7; Jos. 13:12; Jos. 13:21; Jos. 15:16; Jos. 19:47; Jos. 20:3; Jos. 20:5; Jos. 20:9; George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 10 10. The Lord discomfited them. Or, Heb. יחמם yehūmmëm, struck with dismay, confounded. It is the word employed Ex. 23:27, in describing the effect that should be produced by Divine power upon the enemies of Israel, though there rendered less accurately ‘destroy.’ It occurs also Ps. 144:6; 2 Chron. 15:6. And slew them with a great slaughter. Or, ‘he slew them,’ i. e. Israel slew them. In consequence of the panic into which the Lord had thrown them, his people were enabled to effect a great slaughter. The direct work of God on the occasion appears to be described, v. 11. At Gibeon. Heb. בגבעון begibōn, in Gibeon; not in the city, but in the adjoining territory or domain called by the same name, as Joshua is said, ch. 5:13, to be in Jericho, when he was merely in the immediate vicinity. Beth-horon. The tribe of Ephraim contained two places of this name, the upper and lower. The latter is here probably referred to, which lay twelve or fifteen miles to the north-west of Jerusalem, and where Dr.
Josué 10
Wiersbe comments out that "God took His special “ammunition” out of His storehouse and used it to good advantage (Job 38:22–23). When God’s people are obeying God’s will, everything in the universe works for them, even “the stars in their courses” (Jdg 5:20). When we disobey God’s will, everything works against us. (Read Jonah 1 for a vivid illustration of this truth.) (Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life)
Josué 10
Wiersbe points out that "You find seemingly contradictory facts stated in Joshua 10:15 and Joshua 10:21. Why would the army go all the way back to Gilgal when the battle wasn’t over? The best explanation is to see verse 15 as the completion of the quotation from the Book of Jasher, beginning at verse 13b. The temporary Jewish camp was at Makkedah, which was near Libnah; and the army didn’t return to Gilgal until they had established their control over central Canaan. (Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life) Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Verses 15-27. None moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel. This shows their perfect safety. The kings were called to an account, as rebels against the Israel of God. Refuges of lies will but secure for God's judgment. God punished the abominable wickedness of these kings, the measure of whose iniquity was now full. And by this public act of justice, done upon these ringleaders of the Canaanites in sin, he would possess his people with the greater dread and detestation of the sins of the nations that God cast out from before them. Here is a type and figure of Christ's victories over the powers of darkness, and of believers' victories through him. In our spiritual conflicts we must not be satisfied with obtaining some important victory. We must pursue our scattered enemies, searching out the remains of sin as they rise up in our hearts, and thus pursue the conquest. In so doing, the Lord will afford light until the warfare be accomplished. George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 10 15. And Joshua returned to Gilgal. The occurrence of this verse in this place has occasioned great perplexity to commentators. As it is verbatim the same as the last verse of this chapter, and is wanting in some of the ancient versions, many have thought that it was inserted here by the error of some transcriber, and that the only way to obtain a correct view of the thread of the narrative is to neglect it altogether. It cannot, it is said, be supposed that Joshua should have broken off in the mid-career of his victory, and just after the above-mentioned miracle marched his army twenty or thirty miles to Gilgal, and then have immediately returned again to the scene of action to complete the work of conquest. What could be the object of such a strange diversion of his forces at such a crisis? But we are inclined to consider it as inserted here merely by anticipation. The writer’s drift is apparently to close the general account of the engagement described above by saying that when it was ended Joshua and the Israelites returned to the camp; not, however, that this took place immediately; there were some additional incidents that occurred prior to that return, which are too important to be overlooked in the history, and which he here takes occasion to relate. This he does in the ensuing verses, 16–42, after which he inserts again, in its proper place, the account of Joshua’s return to the camp. The repetition of the words at the end of the chapter seems designed to correct the misapprehension that might arise, on reading them in their first connexion, as to the precise time to which they refer. This we regard as a safer solution of the difficulty than to suppose an error in the copyist, which in this instance seems to us improbable. It is not, however, to be disguised, that the entire context, v. 11–15, has very much the air of a supplementary insertion, as it evidently breaks the continuity of the narrative, which requires v. 16 to come in immediate connexion with v. 11, and is marked by a higher and somewhat poetical style of expression. If such a conjecture may be admitted, it will perhaps account for the occurrence of v. 15 in this connexion. The author may have seen fit to append to his inserted matter an intimation of what Joshua did after the miracle, and for this purpose have taken the 15th v. from the ensuing narrative. Joshua 10:16 Now these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in the cave at Makkedah. and hidden: Ps 48:4-6 139:7-10 Isa 2:10-12 Am 9:2 Rev 6:15 in a cave: Jdg 6:2 1Sa 13:6 24:3,8 Isa 2:19-22 24:21,22 Mic 7:17 Joshua 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Revelation 6:15-16+ Then the kings of the earth and the great men and the commanders and the rich and the strong and every slave and free man hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains; 16 and they *said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the presence of Him who sits on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb; Isaiah 2:10-12+ (DESCRIPTION OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION, THE FUTURE DAY OF THE LORD) Enter the rock and hide in the dust From the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty. 11The proud look of man will be abased And the loftiness of man will be humbled, And the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. 12 For the LORD of hosts will have a day of reckoning Against everyone who is proud and lofty And against everyone who is lifted up, That he may be abased. Amos 9:2 Though they dig into Sheol, From there will My hand take them; And though they ascend to heaven, From there will I bring them down. FIVE HIDDEN KINGS Now these five kings had fled and hidden themselves in the cave at Makkedah - The kings were hidden from men but not from the King of kings (Pr 15:3, Heb 4:13! Makkedah is about 35 miles southwest of Gilgal and about 15-17 miles southwest of Gibeon. It is fascinating that God providentially allowed all 5 kings to survive the Israelite swords and the divine hailstones, indicating He wanted them all alive and all together for Joshua's dramatic ceremony of placing his foot on their neck. Matthews - Caves were used as burial locations (Gen. 49:29–30), hideouts (1 Sam. 22:1), and dwellings (Gen. 19:30). (Joshua Teach the Text Commentary)
Josué 10
Wiersbe - Since Joshua is a type of Jesus Christ, we can apply this scene and these words to Christ and His people. Jesus has defeated all His enemies and will one day return and destroy them forever. No matter how they may rage and rebel (Ps. 2:1–3), our Lord’s enemies are only the footstool at His feet (Ps. 110:1; 1 Cor. 15:25). Through Him, we can claim victory and put our feet on the necks of our enemies (Rom. 16:20). (Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life) Irving Jensen - The Christian intent on living close to God knows all too well that the enemy of his soul is often not one but a coalition of many foes . Who has not faced a coalition of Delusion, Doubt, Discouragement, and Despair; or of Pride, Pomp, and Prejudice; or of Laxity and Lukewarmness? But God is able--"for thus shall Jehovah do to all your enemies against whom ye fight." (Joshua- Everyman's Bible Commentary: Rest-Land Won) Be strong (02388)(chazaq) conveys the basic meaning of to be or become strong (Jos. 17:13), to make strong or strengthen, “Be very firm (Josh 23:6), in the Hiphil to take hold of or seize ("retain His anger" - Mic 7:18+), in the Hithpael to strengthen oneself (to take courage 1 Sa 30:6). To be courageous. To overpower. Chazaq describes strength - severity of a famine (a "strong" famine) (2 Ki 25:3, Jer 52:6), strength of humans to overpower (David and Goliath 1Sa 17:50, cf 1Sa 17:35 = seized;, Amnon and Tamar = 2Sa 13:14), in a battle, to capture (2Chr 8:3), Samson's last demonstration of supernatural strength he prays "please strengthen me" (Jdg 16:28). Used in the charge "Be strong and courageous" (Josh 1:6, 7, 9,18, Josh 10:25, "be firm" = Josh 23:6; "Be strong and courageous" = Dt 31:6-7, 23). Chazaq used 12 times in Ex 4-14 of hardening Pharaoh's heart (cf similar use in Josh 11:20). In a great passage in Da 11:32+ we read "“By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength (chazaq) and take action." As in the Qal, when the object of the verb is the heart (ten times), the verb is translated "harden" (Exodus 4:21f.) W E Vine adds "The strong form of the verb is used in Exod. 4:21: "…I will harden his [Pharaoh's] heart…." This statement is found 8 times. Four times we read: "Pharaoh's heart was hard" (Exod. 7:13, 22; Exod. 8:19; Exod. 9:35, niv; kjv, rsv, nasb, "was hardened"). In Exod. 9:34 Pharaoh's responsibility is made clear by the statement "he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart…." All uses of chazaq in Joshua - Jos. 1:6; Jos. 1:7; Jos. 1:9; Jos. 1:18; Jos. 10:25; Jos. 11:20; Jos. 17:13; Jos. 23:6; Joshua 10:26 So afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees; and they hung on the trees until evening. Joshua: Jdg 8:21 1Sa 15:33 hanged: Jos 8:29 Nu 25:4 De 21:22,23 2Sa 21:6,9 Es 2:23 7:9,10 Mt 27:25 Ga 3:13 Joshua 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries FIVE KILLS KILLED AND HANGED So afterward Joshua struck (nāḵāh) them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees; and they hung on the trees until evening - The passage suggests that Joshua himself carried out the execution. He is certainly no "Casper milquetoast!" The kings must be killed lest they lead a rebellion against Israel. THOUGHT - Do you have some "kings," some sins that seek to reign again on the throne of your heart as they did unhindered before you were crucified with Christ. Read Ro 6:11-13+ especially "do not let sin reign [present imperative with a negative see our need to depend on the Holy Spirit to obey] in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts." Our Joshua (Jesus) would say we must slay them without mercy, lest they continue to lead rebell raids on our heart, weakening our spiritual life and witness. Rod Mattoon - Like the kings in the cave, do you feel like your enemy is trapped but not destroyed? Are your weaknesses and bad habits under control, but you still have not attained total victory over them? Perhaps, you feel your enemies have you trapped and you are struggling for victory. Realize Christ can set you free and give you the complete victory you are looking for! Do you feel overwhelmed by battles and problems you still need to face? Understand that Christ is our fortress, shield, strength, and peace. (Treasures From Joshua) Grant comments "Each king bore the curse associated with hanging upon a tree, in accordance with the Law of Moses (Deut 21:22–23) and consistent with the treatment of the king of Ai (8:29). (What the Bible Teaches - Joshua Judges Ruth) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 10 26. Hanged them on five trees, &c. Chal. ‘On five crosses.’ see on Joshua 8:29. Joshua 10:27 And it came about at sunset that Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and put large stones over the mouth of the cave, to this very day. they took: Jos 8:29 De 21:23 2Sa 18:17 this very day: Jos 4:9 7:26 Joshua 10 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries HIDING PLACE BECOMES THEIR BURIAL PLACE And it came about at sunset that Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and put large stones over the mouth of the cave, to this very day - These stones were another memorial to remind them of Israel beginning to possess their possessions.