Chapter 10
Sun and Moon Stand Still
10:1 As soon as Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard how Joshua had captured Ai and had devoted it to destruction, doing to Ai and its king as he had done to Jericho and its king, and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and were among them, 2 he feared greatly, because Gibeon was a great city, like one of the royal cities, and because it was greater than Ai, and all its men were warriors.
This chapter opens with the king of Jerusalem, Adoni-zedek, hearing about how Joshua captured Ai and completely destroyed the city and killed its king. The king also heard about how the inhabitants of Gibeon were able to make “peace with Israel and were among them,”who he feared as they were a great city, even greater than Ai, and all of its men were warriors, perhaps thinking that by joining together the combined force becomes even more threatening. Note that there is no mention of him acknowledging YHWH.
This is the first mention of Jerusalem in the Bible, the name means “foundation of peace” or as some prefer, “city of peace.” Earlier in the book of Genesis the same city is identified as Salem (meaning ‘peace’), whose king was Melchizedek (see Genesis 14:18). Notice the similarities in the names of the kings, Melchizedek means “king of righteousness” and Adoni-zedek means “lord of righteousness,” perhaps a title instead of a name. The city was occupied by the Jebusites during this time (descendants of Jebus a son of Canaan, see Genesis 10:16) prior to Joshua’s arrival, but will not be occupied by Israel until after King David conquers it several years later (see 2 Samuel 5:6-10).
10:3 So Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem sent to Hoham king of Hebron, to Piram king of Jarmuth, to Japhia king of Lachish, and to Debir king of Eglon, saying, 4 “Come up to me and help me, and let us strike Gibeon. For it has made peace with Joshua and with the people of Israel.” 5 Then the five kings of the Amorites, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon, gathered their forces and went up with all their armies and encamped against Gibeon and made war against it.
Adoni-zedek was successful in convincing the four kings to join in his battle against Gibeon so they combined their armies and engaged in battle against their own people in Gibeon. The word translated as ‘encamped’ is the Hebrew word yǎ·ḥǎnû’ which implies that they set up camp there perhaps preparing for a lengthy campaign or siege.
10:6 And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, “Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us.”
The Gibeonites sent word to Joshua that their city was under attack and that they needed help, as all of the kings of the Amorites who live in the hill country had joined forces against them.
10:7 So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. 8 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands. Not a man of them shall stand before you.”
Joshua headed out to Gibeon and all the people of war and all the mighty men of valor went with him. There is no explanation as to why some are called the people of war and some the mighty men of valor. Many believe one could be a reference to the Gibeonite army and the other group being the men of Israel. Then there are others that believe the text should be translated “he and all the military people with him, every one mighty in strength,” or similar.
God reassures Joshua by telling him that He has given the Amorite kings and their armies into his hands and that no one will be able to stand against him.
10: 9 So Joshua came upon them suddenly, having marched up all night from Gilgal.
Joshua and his army marched all night from Gilgal to Gibeon a distance of approximately 18-20 miles and was able to surprise the kings and the army attacking Gibeon.
10:10 And the LORD threw them into a panic before Israel, who struck them with a great blow at Gibeon and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth-horon and struck them as far as Azekah and Makkedah. 11 And as they fled before Israel, while they were going down the ascent of Beth-horon, the LORD threw down large stones from heaven on them as far as Azekah, and they died. There were more who died because of the hailstones than the sons of Israel killed with the sword.
Upon arriving, God threw the Amorite army into a panic before Joshua and his men, and they were able to hit them hard and gave chase to those fleeing in several directions for many miles. Some were chased on the main trade route through the ascent of Beth-horon (a dual settlement, the lower town approximately five miles from Gibeon, and the upper town being approximately two miles further) and caught up with them as far as Azekah (in the Valley of Elah, about 17 miles south of Beth-horon) and at Makkedah (this name appears nine times in this book, there is some debate as to the exact location as there are several potential candidates that match the description, but the archaeological site at Khirbet el Qom is favored). While the Amorite army was fleeing, God “threw down” large hailstones on them. We read that more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords wielded by the sons of Israel. It is interesting to note in the book of Job, after Job and his friends speak, God responds with the “Where were you when I…” series of statements which included, “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war?” (Job 38:22-23, ESV)
10:12 At that time Joshua spoke to the LORD in the day when the LORD gave the Amorites over to the sons of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, “Sun, stand still at Gibeon, and moon, in the Valley of Aijalon.” 13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar? The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. 14 There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD heeded the voice of a man, for the LORD fought for Israel.
These three verses summarize the victory over the Amorite army and it records how Joshua boldly spoke to God. He asked in the sight (and hearing) of Israel that the sun stop at Gibeon and the moon to hold in the Valley of Aijalon, and the sun and moon did stop until the nation of Israel defeated its enemies. Apparently Joshua needed more daylight time to finish. We are informed that the sun stopped in the middle of the day and did not set for about one full day (only approximate as they couldn’t be more precise without the sun moving). We are also informed that there has never been a day like that before or since when God answered such a prayer in such tangible ways (hail, sun stopping, etc.) making this event very unique. As readers we are asked, “Is this not written in the Book of Jashar?” The “book of the upright man” (or the book of Jasher) is also referenced in 2 Samuel 1:17-27 , it is considered a “song book” of praises that commemorated events where God blessed man in miraculous ways and in recognition of heroes (perhaps the same book of songs referenced in 3 Reigns 8:53 or 1 Kings 8:53 found in the Septuagint).
For obvious reasons this is the most debated and often scoffed-at segments of the book of Joshua. Due to understanding of the ‘science’ (rotation of planets, gravity, etc.) many find the idea of the sun stopping as being an absurd idea and therefore refer to it as either a fable or ignore it entirely. Considering the difficulty in believing, there have been several alternate theories proposed including (but not limited to): 1) the words are only poetical or poetic hyperbole, for example, God refreshed the men of Israel and it only seemed like the day was extended or that Joshua was asking for a favorable sign in the sky; 2) due to a light-bending miracle, light refracted around the world which only made it appear as if the sun and moon stood still; or 3) that Joshua did not request a longer day but desired less heat from the sun and was given cooler weather like hail, etc. These are only a few of man’s ideas, but why do we feel the need to limit God? (See below)
10:15 So Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.
After the defeat, Joshua and his army returned to the camp at Gilgal. Many question whether the word ‘all’ means everyone, did all of his fighting men of Israel go to battle and leave behind the women and children alone defenseless? Questions of this nature can only lead to speculation, in any case, God is fully capable to stop any invasion, the use of men are not His only line of defense.
This verse and the last three verses seem out of place as they summarize and then conclude the engagement while there is more to report. Joshua likely did not return to Gilgal and come back, as we will see in the next series of verses. One way to interpret the last six verses is to call attention to God’s participation in this campaign, He said He would give them into their hands, and He did, again, like Jericho, there would be no doubt He was there!
Considerations
Hailstones
In the Introduction we reviewed the idea of the typology of the book of Joshua pointing to the book of Revelation, so it is interesting to see parallels within the texts. In Revelation 16:21 we read, “And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe.” (ESV) Considering that the largest hailstone recorded in the United States to date was 8.0 inches in diameter and weighed only 1.9375 pounds found near Vivian, South Dakota on July 23, 2010, which would definitely be lethal, an one-hundred pound hailstone would be massive and extremely destructive!
The Sun and Moon Stand Still
Is anything too difficult for God? (see Jeremiah 32:17, 27; Job 9:7; 38:22-23; Isaiah 38:8) No! All things are possible, but we need to be open-minded to accept the truth. Some Christian scientists believe that God changed the rotational path of the planets, with Earth and Mars being the most affected. They claim that the only long-term affect was a change in the number of days in a year. This could account for the fact that several ancient cultures, including the Israelites, initially had 360 day years for their calendars and later had to change them. If interested in these theories, see Donald Wesley Patten’s book “Catastrophism and the Old Testament: The Mars-Earth Conflicts” released in 1988, or Immanuel Velikovsky’s book “Worlds in Collision” published in 1950.
The Book of Jashar
The Bible often speaks about other books, some within the Bible and several others outside the accepted canon (click here for more information regarding the canon). There are a significant number of extra-biblical books and writings available today. Some very old including the Apocryphal books (authenticity is doubted, click here to read more) and Pseudepigraphal books (the claimed author is not the true author, click here to read more) that have been around for centuries. Regarding the book of Jasher that is mentioned here in Joshua, it has never been found. There are many relatively new books that often use the same names or tout being discoveries of lost books, but these should be considered deceptions. For example, there is a eighteenth-century forgery claiming to be the lost book of Jasher and another recent fictional book by a similar name, they are both works of fiction.
The Five Kings Executed
10:16 These five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. 17 And it was told to Joshua, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.” 18 And Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and set men by it to guard them, 19 but do not stay there yourselves. Pursue your enemies; attack their rear guard. Do not let them enter their cities, for the LORD your God has given them into your hand.”
The five Amorite kings ran off to Makkedah and hid in a cave. Some of the Israelites either saw or heard that the kings were there and relayed that information to Joshua. He told them to roll (Hebrew word gōl’·lû, the root meaning is to roll, to commit, to remove or move) large stones in front of the cave’s opening and to post guards at the entrance. But for the fighting men they were to continue their pursuit of those fleeing and to attack from the rear so that they could not reach and enter any of their fortified cities, for YHWH their God has given them into their hand.
10:20 When Joshua and the sons of Israel had finished striking them with a great blow until they were wiped out, and when the remnant that remained of them had entered into the fortified cities, 21 then all the people returned safe to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. Not a man moved his tongue against any of the people of Israel.
When the Israelites had finished chasing and destroying the men that attacked Gibeon and after the few that remained enter their cities, Joshua and the sons of Israel returned safely to the camp at Makkedah. None of them complained or grumbled!
10:22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.” 23 And they did so, and brought those five kings out to him from the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon. 24 And when they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings.” Then they came near and put their feet on their necks.
Joshua has the men open the cave and bring out the five kings. They opened the cave and brought the kings to Joshua, who then summoned all the men of Israel to come and witness. With everyone present he asks the chiefs (Hebrew qeṣî·nê’, a captain, a ruler, first use in Bible typically of military leadership) of the men of war who were his commanders to come forward and put their feet on the necks of the kings, which they did. This practice of subjection was widespread as seen in art and history around the world, including being described elsewhere in the Bible (see 1 Kings 5:3; Psalm 8:6; 110:1; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 2:8).
10:25 And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
Joshua offers them encouragement using words that were first told to Moses by God, and Moses relayed those words to Joshua (see Deuteronomy 31:6-7, Joshua 1:7, 9, 18) who now tells his men that they should not be afraid or dismayed, but instead be strong and courageous, because victory has been guaranteed by God! While the feet were still on the necks of the kings, Joshua tells them that YHWH will do likewise to all their enemies that they will encounter in battle.
10:26 And afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees. And they hung on the trees until evening. 27 But at the time of the going down of the sun, Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden themselves, and they set large stones against the mouth of the cave, which remain to this very day.
Joshua killed the kings and he hanged their bodies on five separate trees until that evening when he commanded them to take the bodies down and throw them into the cave, which was then sealed with large stones (see Deuteronomy 21:23, see also Joshua 8:29, click here to read about hangings in the Bible).
The Canaan Conquest Continues South
10:28 As for Makkedah, Joshua captured it on that day and struck it, and its king, with the edge of the sword. He devoted to destruction every person in it; he left none remaining. And he did to the king of Makkedah just as he had done to the king of Jericho.
Little is known about the city of Makkedah and little is said about its demise as it is summarized in just one verse. Joshua and his men conquered it and killed all of its inhabitants including the king. The text states that Joshua did to the king Makkedah the same thing he had done to the king of Jericho, but there was no mention earlier as to how the king of Jericho was killed (see Joshua 6:20-24).
10:29 Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah. 30 And the LORD gave it also and its king into the hand of Israel. And he struck it with the edge of the sword, and every person in it; he left none remaining in it. And he did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho.
The campaign to eradicate Canaan moves from Makkedah to Libnah (believed to be the archaeological site known as Tel Burna near Qiryat Gat). Joshua and the men of Israel killed everyone including the king. Here again we see the wording that Joshua “did to its king as he had done to the king of Jericho” (see commentary above for verse 28).
10:31 Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Libnah to Lachish and laid siege to it and fought against it. 32 And the LORD gave Lachish into the hand of Israel, and he captured it on the second day and struck it with the edge of the sword, and every person in it, as he had done to Libnah.
Joshua and the people of Israel then leave Libnah and arrive at Lachish (a city that will later become a principal city of Judah, located approximately 25 miles southwest of Jerusalem). They laid siege (Hebrew yi’·ḥǎn, meaning to pitch one’s tent, encamp, typically to camp around a city to prevent access to food and water). No need to set up camp, God gave them victory on this now second day in their southern campaign. Everyone in Lachish was killed, there is no mention of a king because their king Japhia was killed in Makkedah the day before (see verses 22-27 above).
10:33 Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish. And Joshua struck him and his people, until he left none remaining.
The king of Gezer and his army came out to help Lachish, but Joshua and his army struck them all down, no one survived. However, Joshua never captured the city of Gezer (see Joshua 16:10). Many years later during Solomon’s reign an Egyptian Pharaoh captured the city and gave it to his daughter who was one of Solomon’s wives (see 1 Kings 9:16).
10:34 Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Lachish to Eglon. And they laid siege to it and fought against it. 35 And they captured it on that day, and struck it with the edge of the sword. And he devoted every person in it to destruction that day, as he had done to Lachish.
Next was the city of Eglon, every person was devoted to destruction and died, their king Debir was also killed in Makkedah.
10:36 Then Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron. And they fought against it 37 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.
They went from Eglon to Hebron and killed everyone, and its king, this could be a reference to their king Hoham being killed in Makkedah, or they had already enthroned a new king. The text mentions that they also killed everyone in “its towns,” apparently there were some villages around the main city.
10:38 Then Joshua and all Israel with him turned back to Debir and fought against it 39 and he captured it with its king and all its towns. And they struck them with the edge of the sword and devoted to destruction every person in it; he left none remaining. Just as he had done to Hebron and to Libnah and its king, so he did to Debir and to its king.
Joshua and the men of Israel turned back (Hebrew yā’·šǒḇ, to return, to turn) toward Debir (not to be confused with the king of Eglon, although the city has other names, see Joshua 15:15, 49) and everyone in this city, including the king, was killed.
10:40 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.
We are told that Joshua struck the whole land, which is identified as the “hill country” (the central mountain range principally in the territories that will be later known as Judah and Ephraim), the “Negeb” (or Negev, the southern desert area), the “lowland” (also known as Shephelah, the area between the hill country of Judah and the coastal plain), and the “slopes” (a reference to the steep descent from the mountains to the Jordan Valley).
10:41 And Joshua struck them from Kadesh-barnea as far as Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, as far as Gibeon. 42 And Joshua captured all these kings and their land at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel. 43 Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to the camp at Gilgal.
Joshua also struck from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza and all the country of Goshen (a region in the lowlands not the Goshen of Egypt) as far as Gibeon. They conquered all the land and kings because YHWH, the God of Israel fought for Israel. With the southern campaign finished they returned to Gilgal.
Considerations
Details
The campaign against Canaan started with the famous Jericho encounter followed by the battles in Ai, both reported in detail. But as the campaign continued the details of each consecutive encounter begins to diminish a little, to the point where the text here at the end of this chapter simply summarizes the victories by region. It serves as a reminder that God has given us what we need to know, the Bible, while historically accurate, is not just a history book. In the retelling of Jericho’s demise we see that the Israelites and the world around could see that it was clearly God, not man, that made these victories possible. The problems with the encounter at Ai served as a valuable lesson for the Israelites and for us readers. What lessons can we learn from these two events? God keeps His promises regardless of how things look at the time and to seek God before proceeding, both timeless lessons. Meanwhile, there are only so many ways to say, Joshua and his army came, they killed everyone, they left. We don’t need to read all of the details.
Jerusalem and Jarmuth
These are two of the five cities that joined the coalition against Gibeon, and whose kings were killed in Makkedah, but there is no mention of these cities being attacked or conquered. We will later see that the Jebusites, the current occupants of Jerusalem could not be driven out (see Joshua 15:63, see also Judges 1:8), and it will not be conquered until the days of King David. As for Jarmuth, it is assumed conquered as it is later listed with all of the other major cities that were defeated (see Joshua 15:35).