Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. And Joshua struck him and his people, until he left none remaining.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights how even those who come to assist others can fall victim to the sweeping judgment. The king of Gezer's timely intervention for Lachish only brings him and his people into Joshua's path, showing that any attempt to support the doomed can lead to sharing their fate.
Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. And Joshua struck him and his people, until he left none remaining.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joshua is in the midst of a relentless campaign in southern Canaan, systematically conquering city after city following the victory at Gibeon. After taking Makkedah, Libnah, and Lachish, the king of Gezer arrives with his army to aid the besieged city of Lachish. However, Joshua decisively defeats this reinforcement, annihilating Horam and his entire army before continuing his rapid conquest.
Imagine the sheer terror and desperation. As one city falls, another king rushes in, hoping to turn the tide. Yet, the text paints a picture of relentless momentum.
This verse is part of a swift, decisive campaign. Joshua and the Israelites moved from city to city, conquering their enemies with astonishing speed. The text emphasizes that this wasn't just military might at play.
Divine Intervention
Why such a complete and utter destruction? It wasn't just about winning territory; it was about a divine mandate and the consequences of resisting it.
The thoroughness of the destruction in these battles, including the defeat of Horam who came to help, speaks volumes about God's settled judgment against the Canaanites and their alliances.
Reasons for the Judgment:
Ask a follow-up
This verse captures a moment within a rapid, divinely-aided conquest of southern Canaan. The intervention of Horam of Gezer, though ultimately unsuccessful, highlights the widespread resistance and the strategic, unified response of the Israelite army under Joshua.
c. 1400 BC
Israel Enters Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt and wilderness wandering, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, cross the Jordan River to begin their conquest of the land of Canaan.
c. 1400 BC
Battle of Jericho and Ai
Early victories at Jericho and Ai establish Israel's presence and demonstrate God's power, striking fear into the hearts of the Canaanite inhabitants.
c. 1400 BC
Gibeonite Deception
The Gibeonites trick Joshua into a treaty, highlighting the political complexities and the challenge of discerning true allies from enemies.
c. 1400 BC
Confederation of Southern Kings
Five Amorite kings in southern Canaan form an alliance to attack Gibeon and counter the Israelite advance, leading to a major confrontation.
c. 1400 BC
Battle of Makkedah
Joshua leads the Israelite army to a decisive victory against the allied kings, pursuing them and striking them down. The kings hide in a cave and are later executed.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Southern Cities
Joshua systematically captures and destroys cities in southern Canaan, including Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, as part of a swift and thorough campaign.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Horam King of Gezer's Intervention
Horam, king of Gezer, attempts to aid the besieged city of Lachish but is intercepted and decisively defeated by Joshua's forces, leaving none of his people alive.
This passage sets the stage for the command to utterly destroy the nations in the Promised Land, highlighting the divine mandate behind Joshua's actions in verses like Joshua 10:33.
Joshua 11:19-20It echoes the same theme of complete destruction against the Canaanites, explaining that this thoroughness was part of God's plan to harden their hearts and ensure their removal, providing a theological backdrop to the military actions.
Judges 1:29This verse shows a stark contrast, where Israel failed to drive out the inhabitants of Gezer, illustrating the consequences of incomplete obedience that the preceding conquest aimed to prevent.
1 Kings 9:15-16This later account reveals that Gezer, despite being in Israelite territory, was later captured by Pharaoh and given to Solomon, indicating that the Canaanite presence, though suppressed, persisted in some areas, making the thoroughness in Joshua crucial.
calvinJoshua 10:29-43: "Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:"
And the LORD delivered it also, and the king thereof, into the hand of Israel; and he smote it with the edge of the sword, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain in it; but did unto the king thereof as he did unto the king of Jericho.
Tradiditque Jehova illam etiam in manum Israel, et regem ejus, et percussit eam acie gladii, omnemque animam quae erat i…
pulpitJoshua 10:33: "Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua smote him and his people, until he had left him none remaining."
Verse 33. - Then Horam king of Gezer. It is remarkable that, as Gezer lay somewhat out of the line of march, Joshua did not capture it. Accordingly, in spite of the alleged carelessness of our compiler, who is credited with having put together shreds of the various narratives in the most perfunctory manner, he takes care to add (Joshua 16:10) that the inha…
This verse highlights how even those who come to assist others can fall victim to the sweeping judgment. The king of Gezer's timely intervention for Lachish only brings him and his people into Joshua's path, showing that any attempt to support the doomed can lead to sharing their fate.
Joshua is in the midst of a relentless campaign in southern Canaan, systematically conquering city after city following the victory at Gibeon. After taking Makkedah, Libnah, and Lachish, the king of Gezer arrives with his army to aid the besieged city of Lachish. However, Joshua decisively defeats this reinforcement, annihilating Horam and his entire army before continuing his rapid conquest.
Joshua is in the midst of a relentless campaign in southern Canaan, systematically conquering city after city following the victory at Gibeon. After taking Makkedah, Libnah, and Lachish, the king of Gezer arrives with his army to aid the besieged city of Lachish. However, Joshua decisively defeats this reinforcement, annihilating Horam and his entire army before continuing his rapid conquest.
"Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. And Joshua struck him and his people, until he left none remaining." — This verse highlights how even those who come to assist others can fall victim to the sweeping judgment. The king of Gezer's timely intervention for Lachish only brings him and his people into Joshua…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026