Bible Commentaries
Joshua 10

Verse 1

Jerusalem = vision of peace. First occ, is connected with war, and next mention is siege and fire (Judges 1:8 ); called Jebus (Judges 19:10-11 ). Assigned by Joshua to Benjamin (Joshua 18:28 ).

taken Ai . Compare Joshua 8:23-29 .

as = according as.

Verse 2

men. Hebrew, plural of ish or 'enosh . App-14 .

Verse 4

children = sons.

Verse 6

hand . So some codices, with two early printed editions; but Hein text has "hands".

mountains = hill country.

Verse 8

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

said. See note on Joshua 3:7 .

hand. Written plural, but read singular in Hebrew text. In some codices and six early printed editions, "hand" both written and read. Other codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "hands".

there. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "and not", i.e. "and there shall not", &c., or "and not a man".

man. Hebrew. ish App-14 .

Verse 10

Beth-horon = the 'Upper Beth-horon, which stood at the head of the Pass to the coast.

Azekah. Near Shochoh, where Goliath afterwards opposed Israel (1 Samuel 17:1 ).

Verse 11

heaven = the heavens; i.e. the clouds.

Verse 12

Israel. Here the Septuagint supplies the words omitted by Homoeoteleuton ( App-6 ) of the word "Israel, [when He destroyed them in Gibeon, and they were destroyed before the sons of] Israel".

Sun = the sun itself, because of what is said in the next verse.

stand thou still . Habakkuk 3:11 . This is not the only miracle in connection with the sun. See shadow going back (2 Kings 20:11 ;. Isaiah 38:8 ). Going down at noon (Amos 8:9 ). No more going down (Isaiah 60:20 ), Darkened (Isaiah 13:10 . Ezekiel 32:7 . Joel 2:10 , Joel 2:31 ; Joel 3:13 .Matthew 24:29 . Revelation 6:12 ; Revelation 8:12 ; Revelation 9:2 ; Revelation 16:8 ). Miracle to be again performed (Luke 23:44 , Luke 23:45 ). His motion described (Psalms 19:4-6 ).

upon = in, as in next line.

Verse 13

stood still = waited silently.

the book of Jasher. Why may not this be "the book of the Upright", another name for Israel, like Jeshurun? See note on Deuteronomy 32:15 . Is. It is so in Arabic and Syriac. It is mentioned in 2 Samuel 1:18 . In the Targum it is "the book of the Law". Josephus appeals to it as a book in the temple, which probably perished with it. Two spurious books so called, A.D. 1394 and 1625.

Verse 18

men. Hebrew, plural of ish or 'enosh . App-14 .

Verse 19

God. Hebrew Elohim . App-4 .

Verse 24

men . plural of ish App-14 .

these kings. Some codices, with three early printed editions, read "these five kings".

Verse 25

be strong, &c. See note on Deuteronomy 31:6 .

Verse 27

took them down. Compare Deuteronomy 21:22 , Deuteronomy 21:23 .

Verse 28

souls. Plural of nephesh. App-14 . Seven times in this chapter: Joshua 10:40 puts "all that breathed" instead.

as = according as.

Verse 29

Libnah. Afterward one of the cities of the priests. Joshua 21:13 . See note on 2 Chronicles 21:19 .

Verse 30

edge = mouth. Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6 .

Verse 31

Lachish. Destroyed and rebuilt seven times. A strong city, as shown by recent explorations.

Verse 32

on the second day. A most significant statement. In 2 Kings 18:17 . 2 Chronicles 32:9 , Sennacherib besieged it; yet when Rabshakeh returned from Jerusalem he found the siege raised (2 Kings 19:8 ). Similar proof of its strength given in Jeremiah 34:7 .

Verse 33

Gezer. See note on 1 Kings 9:16 , 1 Kings 9:17 .

Verse 34

Eglon, about two miles east of Lachish, now Ajlan.

Verse 36

Hebron, before called Kirjath-arba, Judges 1:10 . Some Canaanites afterwards returned here, Judges 1:9-11 .

Verse 38

Debir = Oracle: south of Hebron. Called Kirjath sepher = Book Town (Joshua 15:15 .Judges 1:11; Judges 1:11 ), and Kirjath sannah = Precept Town (Joshua 15:49 );.

Verse 40

country of the hills = the land of the hill country.

breathed = had neshamah. App-16 .

commanded. Compare Deuteronomy 20:16 , Deuteronomy 20:17 .

Verse 41

Kadesh-barnea. This verse describes Joshua's conquests West, South. and North.

Verse 42

fought for Israel. For the reason, see App-23 and App-25 .