Joshua 10:36-37
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The text notes Joshua "went up" to Hebron, emphasizing the geographical ascent from the lower lands into the hill country. This isn't just a directional cue, but highlights how each conquered city represented a step further into the challenging, higher terrain of the promised land itself.
Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron. And they fought against it and captured it and struck it with the edge of the sword, and its king and its towns, and every person in it. He left none remaining, as he had done to Eglon, and devoted it to destruction and every person in it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After conquering Eglon, Joshua and the Israelite army advanced into the hill country towards Hebron. This was part of a rapid, divinely-aided campaign to subdue the southern Canaanite kings and their cities. Following this victory, the text details the taking of Debir and then summarizes Joshua's sweeping conquest of the entire southern region, emphasizing that God was the one fighting for Israel.
Why does the Bible specifically mention 'going up' to Hebron, and what does this tell us about the land and Joshua's strategy?
The text notes that Joshua and Israel "went up from Eglon to Hebron." This isn't just a casual observation; it highlights a geographical reality that had strategic implications.
Moving to Higher Ground
Hebron is situated in the hill country, while Eglon is in the lower plains. The repeated use of "went up" emphasizes the challenging ascent required to reach Hebron. This wasn't just a physical climb but a symbolic one, moving into more fortified territory.
Faith in Every Step
This detail underscores the deliberate nature of Joshua's campaign. They weren't just wandering; they were systematically moving from one conquered territory to the next, tackling increasingly difficult objectives. Each "upward" movement signifies overcoming obstacles through faith and God's power.
The verse ends with a simple, yet powerful statement: 'And they fought against it.' What does this terse phrase reveal about the nature of their conquest?
The phrase 'they fought against it' might seem brief, but it encapsulates the determined and comprehensive nature of Israel's military actions.
Not Just Capture, But Conquest
This wasn't a quick skirmish or a negotiated surrender. The repetition of "fought against it" throughout this section of Joshua (and evident in the detailed accounts of surrounding cities) points to a thorough and relentless approach. They engaged the cities directly, overcoming resistance.
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God's Power in the Fight
While Joshua and Israel were the ones fighting, the underlying truth, as highlighted by commentators, is that the LORD God of Israel fought for them (Joshua 10:42). Their persistence in battle was fueled by divine empowerment, making their victories swift and decisive, even against fortified cities.
Understand the original words
Yehoshua · Hebrew Proper Noun
A Hebrew military leader chosen by God to succeed Moses, who led the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan and the distribution of the land. His name means 'The LORD is salvation,' prefiguring the name of Jesus.
Yisrael · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whom God delivered from Egypt to be His own possession and a light to the nations.
pi cherev · Hebrew Noun Phrase
The idiom 'edge of the sword' is used extensively in the Old Testament to denote death by execution or slaughter, specifically in the context of military conquest or judgment.
charam · Hebrew Verb
A Hebrew term (cherem) signifying the act of dedicating persons, cities, or property exclusively to God, usually involving total destruction as a judgment against idolatry and sin, and to prevent spiritual contamination.
The rapid succession of Joshua's conquests, moving from plain cities like Eglon to the hill country of Hebron, highlights the intensity and divine backing of the Israelite invasion.
c. 14th-13th century BC
Canaanite City-States Rule
The land of Canaan was divided into numerous independent city-states, each with its own king. These cities, like those Joshua encountered, were often fortified and powerful.
c. 1400 BC
Israelite Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and began their military campaign to take possession of the land promised to them by God.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Conquest of Southern Cities
Joshua's campaign focused on the southern kingdoms, leading to the defeat of a confederation of five kings. This verse describes the capture of Hebron, one of these key cities.
c. 1400 BC
Fall of Eglon and Hebron
After conquering Eglon, Joshua and the Israelite army marched uphill to capture Hebron, a significant fortified city in the hill country.
c. 1400 BC
Subsequent Capture of Debir
Following the conquest of Hebron, the Israelites moved on to capture Debir, continuing their rapid and decisive campaign through southern Canaan.
c. 1400 BC
Return to Gilgal Camp
After a series of swift victories in the south, Joshua and the entire Israelite army returned to their main camp at Gilgal.
This passage directly commands Israel to drive out the inhabitants of the land and not to show them mercy, setting the theological context for the thorough destruction Joshua enacted in chapter 10.
Joshua 6:21This verse describes the complete destruction of Jericho and its inhabitants, mirroring the pattern of total annihilation Joshua repeats against the cities in this chapter, including Hebron.
Judges 1:10This passage shows that after Joshua's conquest, the tribe of Judah had to reconquer Hebron, highlighting the complex reality that while Joshua secured territory, the complete eradication of Canaanite influence was an ongoing process.
Psalm 135:10-12This psalm recounts God's mighty acts in giving Israel their land, specifically mentioning the smiting of kings and the giving of land, which serves as a theological interpretation and praise for the victories Joshua achieved.
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…
gillJoshua 10:36: "And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:"
And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron,.... Which lay in the hill country, and therefore they are said to go up to it from Eglon, which lay lower; and, according to Bunting (g), it was sixteen miles from it: and they fought against it; it making some resistance at first, and did not surrender at once, as demanded. (g) Ibid. (Travels of the Patriarchs, &c.…
The text notes Joshua "went up" to Hebron, emphasizing the geographical ascent from the lower lands into the hill country. This isn't just a directional cue, but highlights how each conquered city represented a step further into the challenging, higher terrain of the promised land itself.
After conquering Eglon, Joshua and the Israelite army advanced into the hill country towards Hebron. This was part of a rapid, divinely-aided campaign to subdue the southern Canaanite kings and their cities. Following this victory, the text details the taking of Debir and then summarizes Joshua's sweeping conquest of the entire southern region, emphasizing that God was the one fighting for Israel.
After conquering Eglon, Joshua and the Israelite army advanced into the hill country towards Hebron. This was part of a rapid, divinely-aided campaign to subdue the southern Canaanite kings and their cities. Following this victory, the text details the taking of Debir and then summarizes Joshua's sweeping conquest of the entire southern region, emphasizing that God was the one fighting for Israel.
"Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron. And they fought against it and captured it and struck it with the edge of the sword, and its king and its towns, and every person in it. He left none remaining, as he had do…" — The text notes Joshua "went up" to Hebron, emphasizing the geographical ascent from the lower lands into the hill country. This isn't just a directional cue, but highlights how each conquered city re…
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Last reviewed October 2026
