Bible Strands
Joshua 10:42
And because the LORD, the God of Israel, fought for Israel, Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator summarizes Joshua’s final southern campaign immediately after cataloging the defeated kings from Kadesh-barnea to Gibeon. The account closes the military narrative before noting Joshua’s return to the Gilgal camp.
The words — לָכַד (la.Khad) translates literally as “he captured,” and כּוֹל (kol) means “all.” These terms stress the simultaneous and total seizure of every listed ruler and territory.
The thread — The clause “the LORD fought for Israel” directly parallels Joshua 10:14, which marks a unique day when Yahweh responded to a human voice and intervened militarily. It also foreshadows the psalmist’s later confession that the God of Jacob stands as a fortress for his people.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to acknowledge that territorial conquest resulted from Yahweh’s direct action rather than Israelite military prowess. It demands attribution of victory to divine intervention and frames subsequent obedience around that reality.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the Lord God of Israel fought for Israel.
Cross-references
- Joshua 10:14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man, because the LORD fought for Israel.
- Psalms 46:7 The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
- Psalms 80:3 Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.
- Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.”
- Exodus 14:25 He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”
- Deuteronomy 20:4 For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”
- Psalms 44:3 For it was not by their sword that they took the land; their arm did not bring them victory. It was by Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, because You favored them.
- Psalms 46:1 For the choirmaster. Of the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A song. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
- Psalms 46:11 The LORD of Hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
- Psalms 118:6 The LORD is on my side; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?