Joshua 10:36
And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
This event occurred around 1406-1400 BC during Joshua's systematic conquest of Canaan following the miraculous victory at Jericho and the strategic conquest of Ai. The southern campaign (Joshua 10) was triggered when five Amorite kings allied against Gibeon because of their treaty with Israel. Joshua's rapid military response, aided by divine intervention (sun standing still, hailstones), routed the coalition and opened southern Canaan to conquest.
Hebron (Tel Rumeida, about 19 miles south of Jerusalem) was one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the region, with archaeological evidence of occupation dating to the Early Bronze Age (3300-2200 BC). In Joshua's time it was called Kiriath-arba, named after Arba, the greatest man among the Anakim (Joshua 14:15). The city's conquest was particularly significant because it represented defeating the giants who had terrified Israel 40 years earlier.
Later, Caleb specifically requested Hebron as his inheritance (Joshua 14:12-13) because it represented the fulfillment of God's promise from 45 years earlier. Hebron eventually became one of the cities of refuge (Joshua 20:7) and later served as David's capital for seven years before he conquered Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:5). The city's history interweaves with Israel's covenant journey from Abraham through David.
Questions for Reflection
- What "giants" in our lives require faith in God's promises to overcome?
- How does corporate unity contribute to accomplishing God's purposes versus individualistic Christianity?
- What does Joshua's methodical campaign teach about the relationship between faith and strategic planning?
- How can we maintain spiritual momentum when facing increasingly difficult challenges?
- What does this passage reveal about God's faithfulness to multi-generational promises?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it. This verse describes the next phase of Joshua's southern campaign to conquer Canaan. "Went up" (vaya'al, וַיַּעַל) is geographically accurate—Hebron sits at approximately 3,050 feet elevation, significantly higher than Eglon in the Shephelah lowlands. This ascent represents both physical and strategic advancement in claiming the Promised Land.
"And all Israel with him" emphasizes national unity and corporate obedience under Joshua's leadership. The conquest wasn't accomplished by professional soldiers alone but required the entire covenant community's participation. This phrase appears repeatedly in Joshua 10, highlighting the importance of unified action in accomplishing God's purposes. Division and individualism would have spelled defeat; unity enabled victory.
Hebron held immense historical significance for Israel. It was where Abraham dwelt (Genesis 13:18), where the patriarchs were buried (Genesis 23), and where the giants (Anakim) lived, representing formidable opposition (Numbers 13:22, 28). Conquering Hebron demonstrated God's faithfulness to promises made centuries earlier to Abraham and countered the fearful report of the ten spies who saw the Anakim as invincible. This was faith in action, trusting God's promises despite intimidating obstacles.