Joshua 10:37

French (La Sainte Bible par Louis Segond 1910)

Ils la prirent, et la frappèrent du tranchant de l'épée, elle, son roi, toutes les villes qui en dépendaient, et tous ceux qui s'y trouvaient; Josué n'en laissa échapper aucun, comme il avait fait à Eglon, et il la dévoua par interdit avec tous ceux qui s'y trouvaient.

What Does This Mean?

This verse describes how the Israelites conquered a city, killing everyone inside, including the king and all its people, just as they had done before in Eglon. It shows the severity of the battles they faced and how they carried out orders.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're playing a game where you have to clean up all the toys, and you do it really well, picking up every last one. This verse is like that, but much more serious and sad. The Israelites were told to take over a city and make sure no one was left behind, just like they did before.

Historical Background

Joshua 10:37 is part of the Book of Joshua, written by Joshua or his contemporaries around 1400-1300 BCE. It was written for the Israelites to understand their conquest and the strict instructions given to them. The cultural setting was one of warfare and divine command to take over the land of Canaan.

Living It Out Today

In today's context, this verse can remind us of the importance of following through on our commitments and the consequences of actions taken. It can also serve as a reminder of the importance of understanding the historical and cultural context of such actions.

Topics

• conquest
• obedience
• divine command
• historical narratives
• warfare
• destruction

Related Verses

• Deuteronomy 20:16-18
• Numbers 21:2-3
• Joshua 8:25
• 1 Samuel 15:3
• Revelation 11:18

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the destruction so complete?

The complete destruction was part of divine command to ensure the purity of the land for the Israelites and to prevent the influence of Canaanite practices.

How does this relate to modern warfare?

This verse highlights the harsh realities of ancient warfare and the need for ethical consideration in modern military actions and their justifications.

What can we learn about obedience from this verse?

This verse teaches about the seriousness of obedience to divine commands, even when those commands are difficult or morally challenging.

How is this different from other conquest stories?

This verse emphasizes the completeness of the destruction, which is a theme seen in several conquest stories but underscores the specific divine mandate given to the Israelites.