Joshua Chapter 10 · Verse 41
And Joshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּכֵּ֧ם
smote
H5221
וַיַּכֵּ֧ם
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
1 of 12
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
בַּרְנֵ֖עַ
them from Kadeshbarnea
H6947
בַּרְנֵ֖עַ
them from Kadeshbarnea
Strong's:
H6947
Word #:
4 of 12
kadesh-barnea, a place in the desert
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
5 of 12
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְאֵ֛ת
H853
וְאֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
8 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֶ֥רֶץ
and all the country
H776
אֶ֥רֶץ
and all the country
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
9 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
גֹּ֖שֶׁן
of Goshen
H1657
גֹּ֖שֶׁן
of Goshen
Strong's:
H1657
Word #:
10 of 12
goshen, the residence of the israelites in egypt; also a place in palestine
Cross References
Joshua 11:16So Joshua took all that land, the hills, and all the south country, and all the land of Goshen, and the valley, and the plain, and the mountain of Israel, and the valley of the same;Joshua 15:51And Goshen, and Holon, and Giloh; eleven cities with their villages:Genesis 10:19And the border of the Canaanites was from Sidon, as thou comest to Gerar, unto Gaza; as thou goest, unto Sodom, and Gomorrah, and Admah, and Zeboim, even unto Lasha.Deuteronomy 9:23Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadesh-barnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened to his voice.
Historical Context
This conquest occurred around 1406-1400 BC during Joshua's southern campaign. Kadesh-barnea was approximately 50 miles south of Beersheba, marking the traditional southern boundary of the Promised Land. Gaza was a major Philistine city on the Mediterranean coast, though full Philistine settlement came later. The campaign covered roughly 100 miles from north to south.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the geographic specificity of God's promises demonstrate His faithfulness to keep His covenant?
- What does Joshua's systematic conquest teach about completing the tasks God assigns us?
- How might the mention of Kadesh-barnea (the place of Israel's earlier failure) encourage believers who have experienced setbacks?
Analysis & Commentary
And Joshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea even unto Gaza—This verse maps the southern extent of Joshua's conquest campaign. Kadesh-barnea (קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ) marked Israel's southern boundary where they wandered for forty years (Numbers 32:8), while Gaza represented the southwestern coastal region of Canaan. The verb nakah (נָכָה, "to strike/smite") indicates decisive military victory, not mere skirmish.
All the country of Goshen—Not Egypt's Goshen, but a distinct region in southern Canaan (Joshua 11:16, 15:51). This comprehensive sweep fulfilled God's promise to give Israel the land from the wilderness to Lebanon (Joshua 1:4). The geographical markers demonstrate the systematic nature of the conquest: from the southern desert (Kadesh-barnea) through the Shephelah (Gaza) to the hill country (Gibeon). God's covenant promise was being fulfilled with military precision under Joshua's leadership.