Joshua 10:11

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְהִ֞י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בְּנֻסָ֣ם׀

H5127

And it came to pass as they fled

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

מִפְּנֵ֣י

H6440

from before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

הֵ֞ם

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בְּמוֹרַ֤ד

H4174

and were in the going down

a descent; as architecture, an ornamental appendage, perhaps a festoon

בֵּית

חוֹרֹן֙

H1032

to Bethhoron

beth-choron, the name of two adjoining places in palestine

וַֽיהוָ֡ה

H3068

that the LORD

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

#10

הִשְׁלִ֣יךְ

H7993

cast down

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

#11

עֲלֵיהֶם֩

H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

#12

בְּאַבְנֵ֣י

H68

stones

a stone

#13

גְּדֹל֧וֹת

H1419

great

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

#14

מִן

H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

#15

הַשָּׁמַ֛יִם

H8064

from heaven

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

#16

עַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

#17

עֲזֵקָ֖ה

H5825

upon them unto Azekah

azekah, a place in palestine

#18

מֵ֙תוּ֙

H4191

and they died

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#19

רַבִּ֗ים

H7227

they were more

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

#20

מֵֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

than they whom

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#21

מֵ֙תוּ֙

H4191

and they died

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill

#22

בְּאַבְנֵ֣י

H68

stones

a stone

#23

הַבָּרָ֔ד

H1259

with hailstones

hail

#24

מֵֽאֲשֶׁ֥ר

H834

than they whom

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

#25

הָֽרְג֛וּ

H2026

slew

to smite with deadly intent

#26

בְּנֵ֥י

H1121

the children

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

#27

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל

H3478

Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#28

בֶּחָֽרֶב׃

H2719

with the sword

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

How might the original audience's understanding of divine sovereignty differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?
In what ways does understanding divine sovereignty in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does the salvation theme in this verse connect to the overarching narrative of Scripture, and what does this reveal about God's character and purposes?

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