Joshua Chapter 10 · Verse 14

Authorized King James Version

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And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.

Original Language Analysis

וְלֹ֨א H3808
וְלֹ֨א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
הָיָ֜ה H1961
הָיָ֜ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 2 of 14
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַּיּ֤וֹם And there was no day H3117
כַּיּ֤וֹם And there was no day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 3 of 14
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַהוּא֙ H1931
הַהוּא֙
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 4 of 14
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
לְפָנָ֣יו like that before H6440
לְפָנָ֣יו like that before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 5 of 14
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְאַֽחֲרָ֔יו it or after H310
וְאַֽחֲרָ֔יו it or after
Strong's: H310
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ hearkened H8085
לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ hearkened
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 7 of 14
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֔ה for the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה for the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 8 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּק֣וֹל unto the voice H6963
בְּק֣וֹל unto the voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 9 of 14
a voice or sound
אִ֑ישׁ of a man H376
אִ֑ישׁ of a man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 10 of 14
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 11 of 14
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יְהוָ֔ה for the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה for the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 12 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
נִלְחָ֖ם fought H3898
נִלְחָ֖ם fought
Strong's: H3898
Word #: 13 of 14
to feed on; figuratively, to consume
לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ for Israel H3478
לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ for Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 14 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

The testimony—'And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel'—emphasizes the miracle's uniqueness and divine initiative. God's hearkening to human prayer shows covenant intimacy—He responds to His people's requests. Yet the conclusion—'the LORD fought for Israel'—ensures recognition that victory came through divine power, not human prayer manipulating God. Prayer releases God's power but doesn't control it. He fights for His people.

Historical Context

This battle's significance extended beyond military victory—it demonstrated God's commitment to defend Israel and execute judgment on Canaanites. The five-king coalition represented major opposition to Israel's conquest, making their defeat crucial. The earlier hailstone miracle (verse 11, killing more than swords) combined with extended daylight showed comprehensive divine intervention. Such demonstrations of God's power served both practical (victory) and theological (testimony to His sovereignty) purposes.

Questions for Reflection