Bible Strands
Joshua 10:37
They captured it and put to the sword its king, all its villages, and all the people. Joshua left no survivors, just as he had done at Eglon; he devoted to destruction Hebron and everyone in it.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Joshua 10:37 records the conclusion of the assault on Hebron, immediately following the advance from Eglon in Joshua 10:36 and preceding the movement toward Debir in Joshua 10:38. The narrator reports Joshua’s actions against the city, its king, and its surrounding settlements.
The words — The text highlights וַיִּלְכְּדוּהָ (wayyilkədūhā, "and they captured it") and וַיַּכּוּהָ־ לְפִי חֶרֶב (wayyakūhā lepi ḥereḇ, "and they struck it to the mouth of the sword"). These terms establish the complete military subjugation and lethal execution of the city's inhabitants.
The thread — This verse continues the narrative of total conquest that began at Eglon and repeats the pattern of leaving no survivors before applying the same destruction to Hebron. The motif of complete eradication ties this campaign to the broader theme of divine judgment executed through Joshua’s military leadership.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition of the absolute nature of the commanded judgment, leaving no room for partial compliance or mercy. It requires the reader to confront the severity of the conquest narrative without softening its historical or theological claims.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
And they took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof, and all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining, according to all that he had done to Eglon; but destroyed it utterly, and all the souls that were therein.