Old Testament
Joshua 10:39
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
He captured it, along with its king and all its cities. They struck them with the sword, completely destroying everyone there, leaving no survivors. He did to Debir and its king what he had done to Hebron, and to Libnah and its king.
Compare translations
And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.
What Joshua 10:39 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Joshua continues his military campaign against the cities of Canaan. He captures Debir, along with its king and all its cities, and completely destroys them, leaving no survivors. This reflects the totality of God's judgment against these cities for their wickedness. The verse emphasizes that Joshua treated Debir the same way he had treated Hebron and Libnah, indicating a pattern of divine judgment and the seriousness of Israel's conquest. The destruction serves as a warning about the consequences of opposing God's will and highlights the importance of obedience to God's commands. Joshua's actions demonstrate the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to Israel, but they also raise questions about the nature of divine justice and mercy in the context of warfare.
How to apply Joshua 10:39 to your life
This verse reminds us of the seriousness of following God's commands and the consequences of disobedience. In our lives, we should strive to align our actions with God's will, recognizing that there are spiritual battles we must face. Trusting in God's guidance can lead to victory.
Curated for this public verse page. Joshua Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Noah's story: Noah Is Born (Genesis 5:28–32)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Noah
Photo: Photochrom print, Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division (LCCN 2002725043). License: Public domain in the United States; Library of Congress states no known restrictions on publication. Source. Location: Nablus and Mount Gerizim, West Bank; print preserved by the Library of Congress. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Shechem
Where God promised the land to Abram, and where Joshua led Israel to renew the covenant.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Joshua 10:39
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Joshua 10:39
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Joshua
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Joshua and later compilers
- Written
- Around 1400-1370 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites entering Canaan
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Joshua 10:39 mean?
Joshua 10:39 describes how Joshua captured the city of Debir and its king, completely destroying them and leaving no survivors. This reflects God's judgment against the wickedness of these cities and emphasizes the seriousness of Israel's conquest of Canaan.
What is the significance of total destruction in Joshua 10:39?
The total destruction mentioned in Joshua 10:39 signifies the complete judgment against the cities for their disobedience to God. It serves as a warning about the consequences of opposing God's will and highlights the importance of obedience.
What does the phrase 'left none remaining' in Joshua 10:39 mean?
The phrase 'left none remaining' in Joshua 10:39 indicates that Joshua's conquest was thorough, ensuring that no inhabitants survived. This underscores the totality of God's judgment on these cities.
How does Joshua 10:39 relate to God's promises?
Joshua 10:39 illustrates the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land of Canaan to Israel. Joshua's actions demonstrate that God was actively supporting Israel in their conquest as part of His covenant.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.