Joshua 10:40-41
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The verse summarizes a sweeping conquest, but its real force lies in the phrase "all that breathed." This wasn't just a military victory; it was the execution of a divine command to utterly remove an entire people, leaving no trace, as a severe judgment from God.
So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the LORD God of Israel commanded. And Joshua struck them from Kadesh-barnea as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, as far as Gibeon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse wraps up an intense chapter detailing Joshua's swift and devastating conquest of southern Canaan following the defeat of five Amorite kings. It summarizes the complete subjugation of the entire region, from the hill country down to the plains and valleys, leaving no one alive as a direct result of God's command. This final, sweeping victory paved the way for the redistribution of land and the establishment of Israel in their promised inheritance.
Joshua's conquest wasn't limited to a few cities. This verse paints a picture of total victory across diverse terrains.
Total Annihilation
The verse describes Joshua striking 'all the country' – the hills, the south (Negeb), the lowland (valley), and the slopes ('springs' or 'declivities'). This wasn't a selective raid; it was a comprehensive clearing of the land. The kings and 'all that breathed' were destroyed.
This thoroughness emphasizes the absolute nature of God's judgment on the Canaanites. It wasn't about conquering territory for Israel's benefit alone, but about removing a deeply corrupt people as God had commanded.
The absolute destruction described can be difficult to reconcile with our sense of justice. Why such severity?
Divine Mandate, Not Human Cruelty
The verse is clear: 'all that breathed... just as the LORD God of Israel commanded.' This phrase is crucial for understanding these events. The commentators emphasize that Joshua's actions were not his own initiative, driven by personal animosity or a lust for violence.
Instead, this was a direct execution of God's judgment. The Canaanites were steeped in idolatry and abominable practices (Leviticus 18:24-25). God, in His justice, commanded their removal to preserve Israel's spiritual purity and to enact judgment on profound wickedness. The severity, while challenging for us to grasp, was seen as a righteous act of God.
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The success of this sweeping conquest wasn't solely due to Joshua's military might. A greater power was at play.
God's Active Intervention
The repeated affirmation that 'the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel' (as seen in related verses like Joshua 10:42) is the key to understanding these victories. The rapid succession of conquests and the complete annihilation described in verse 40 were possible because God was actively intervening.
This divine enablement meant that humanly impossible feats were accomplished. It wasn't just about Joshua's obedience, but about God demonstrating His power and faithfulness to His promises by clearing the land for His people.
Understand the original words
YHWH Elohei Yisrael · Hebrew Proper Noun
YHWH, the personal, covenantal name of the God of Israel, who revealed Himself as the I AM, the Creator and Redeemer of His people.
nakah · Hebrew Verb
The act of smiting or killing in a military or judicial context, often signifying judgment. It carries the nuance of decisive victory in battle.
Qadesh Barneaʿ · Hebrew Proper Noun
A prominent oasis in the wilderness of Paran, historically significant as the place where Israel rebelled against God's command to enter the Promised Land, resulting in forty years of wandering.
Azzah · Hebrew Proper Noun
A major Philistine city on the Mediterranean coast; it represents the westernmost boundary of the land promised to Israel and symbolizes a stronghold of pagan influence.
Goshen · Hebrew Proper Noun
A region located in the southern part of Canaan, distinct from the Goshen in Egypt. It represents the scope of the land conquered by Israel under Joshua's command.
Gibon · Hebrew Proper Noun
A royal city of the Hivites which entered into a covenant with Israel; its geographical significance here marks the northern extent of this specific military campaign.
The thorough destruction described in this verse was a direct command from God, intended as a judgment on the Canaanites for their extreme wickedness and to prevent their idolatrous practices from corrupting Israel.
c. 1406 BC
Israel enters Canaan
After forty years of wandering in the desert, the Israelites, led by Joshua, finally cross the Jordan River and enter the Promised Land, beginning their military campaign to conquer Canaan.
c. 1406 BC
Battle of Ai and Jericho
Following initial victories, including the fall of Jericho, the Israelites suffer a defeat at Ai due to disobedience, highlighting the importance of following God's commands precisely.
c. 1406 BC
Gibeonite deception
The Hivites of Gibeon deceive Joshua and the Israelites into making a treaty, setting the stage for conflict when their true identity is revealed.
c. 1406 BC
Confederation of Amorite Kings
Five Amorite kings in southern Canaan form an alliance to attack Gibeon for its treaty with Israel, prompting a swift response from Joshua.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Battle of Makkedah
Joshua leads the Israelites in a decisive victory against the allied kings, pursuing them and destroying their cities in the region.
c. 1406 BC
Consolidation of Southern Conquest
Following the defeat of the five kings, Joshua systematically conquers and devotes to destruction the remaining cities and inhabitants of southern Canaan, as commanded by God.
This passage outlines God's command to drive out and utterly destroy the inhabitants of the promised land, providing the divine directive that Joshua was obeying in Joshua 10:40.
Leviticus 18:24-30This passage explains *why* God commanded the destruction of the Canaanites, citing their abominable practices, which underscores the righteous judgment behind Joshua's actions.
1 Samuel 15:3This verse shows a similar command for total destruction given to Saul regarding the Amalekites, highlighting the pattern of God's judgment against persistent wickedness and disobedience, and Saul's failure to fully obey contrasts with Joshua's faithfulness.
Romans 9:20-21Paul uses the analogy of the potter and clay to explain God's sovereign right to judge and destroy, which helps to contextualize the difficult theological questions surrounding the complete destruction of the Canaanites.
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…
bensonJoshua 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."
Joshua 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;…
The verse summarizes a sweeping conquest, but its real force lies in the phrase "all that breathed." This wasn't just a military victory; it was the execution of a divine command to utterly remove an entire people, leaving no trace, as a severe judgment from God.
This verse wraps up an intense chapter detailing Joshua's swift and devastating conquest of southern Canaan following the defeat of five Amorite kings. It summarizes the complete subjugation of the entire region, from the hill country down to the plains and valleys, leaving no one alive as a direct result of God's command. This final, sweeping victory paved the way for the redistribution of land and the establishment of Israel in their promised inheritance.
This verse wraps up an intense chapter detailing Joshua's swift and devastating conquest of southern Canaan following the defeat of five Amorite kings. It summarizes the complete subjugation of the entire region, from the hill country down to the plains and valleys, leaving no one alive as a direct result of God's command. This final, sweeping victory paved the way for the redistribution of land and the establishment of Israel in their promised inheritance.
"So Joshua struck the whole land, the hill country and the Negeb and the lowland and the slopes, and all their kings. He left none remaining, but devoted to destruction all that breathed, just as the LORD God of Israel commanded. And Joshua…" — The verse summarizes a sweeping conquest, but its real force lies in the phrase "all that breathed." This wasn't just a military victory; it was the execution of a divine command to utterly remove an…
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Last reviewed October 2026
