Joshua 10:29-30 records how the LORD allows the Israelites to conquer Libnah, a city in the allotment of Judah. They destroy all its inhabitants, including its king.
In Joshua 10:29-30, the Israelites defeat the city of Libnah.
The Israelites continued with the conquest of Canaan. After their victory over the five southern Canaanite towns (Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon), they waged war against Makkedah, a Canaanite city in the Shephelah foothills of Judah, about 15 miles southwest of Gibeon (vv. 21-28). After capturing Makkedah and killing its inhabitants, Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah (v. 29).
The city of Libnah was in the tribal allotment of Judah (Joshua 15:42). It was the fifth station at which the Israelites encamped on their journey from Sinai (Numbers 33:20-21). Located about nine miles northwest of Makkedah, it was the next logical move for the Israelites. As in Israel’s war against Makkedah, the LORD granted victory to His covenant people over Libnah. He gave it also with its king into the hands of Israel (v. 30). In other words, He weakened the enemy and strengthened His people as they fought against the city. As a result, Joshua struck it and every person who was in it with the edge of the sword.
In ancient times, soldiers used the sword to thrust and slash their opponents in armed conflicts. It was one of the most important weapons of warfare. Joshua and the Israelites utilized it against the town of Libnah. With God’s help, they defeated the enemy. The Israelite leader was so victorious that he left no survivor in that place. Thus, he did to its king just as he had done to the king of Jericho.
Jericho and its king are the prototype and symbol of Israelite victory over Canaanite pagan cultures. The victory is always secured by God, not the special efforts of the human Israelites. Under Joshua’s military command and obedience to God, the Israelites attacked Jericho and captured it. They burned it and killed its king (Joshua 6:22-25). Likewise, Joshua slaughtered the king of Libnah because the LORD was with Him. The Suzerain God worked things out for good for His covenant people, paving the way for them to conquer the Promised Land. It is the Lord who gave victory over Libnah to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 3:22).
Joshua 10:29-30
Joshua's Conquest of Southern Palestine
29 Then Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Makkedah to Libnah, and fought against Libnah.
30 The LORD gave it also with its king into the hands of Israel, and he struck it and every person who was in it with the edge of the sword. He left no survivor in it. Thus he did to its king just as he had done to the king of Jericho.
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Joshua 10:29-30 meaning
In Joshua 10:29-30, the Israelites defeat the city of Libnah.
The Israelites continued with the conquest of Canaan. After their victory over the five southern Canaanite towns (Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon), they waged war against Makkedah, a Canaanite city in the Shephelah foothills of Judah, about 15 miles southwest of Gibeon (vv. 21-28). After capturing Makkedah and killing its inhabitants, Joshua and all Israel with him passed on from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah (v. 29).
The city of Libnah was in the tribal allotment of Judah (Joshua 15:42). It was the fifth station at which the Israelites encamped on their journey from Sinai (Numbers 33:20-21). Located about nine miles northwest of Makkedah, it was the next logical move for the Israelites. As in Israel’s war against Makkedah, the LORD granted victory to His covenant people over Libnah. He gave it also with its king into the hands of Israel (v. 30). In other words, He weakened the enemy and strengthened His people as they fought against the city. As a result, Joshua struck it and every person who was in it with the edge of the sword.
In ancient times, soldiers used the sword to thrust and slash their opponents in armed conflicts. It was one of the most important weapons of warfare. Joshua and the Israelites utilized it against the town of Libnah. With God’s help, they defeated the enemy. The Israelite leader was so victorious that he left no survivor in that place. Thus, he did to its king just as he had done to the king of Jericho.
Jericho and its king are the prototype and symbol of Israelite victory over Canaanite pagan cultures. The victory is always secured by God, not the special efforts of the human Israelites. Under Joshua’s military command and obedience to God, the Israelites attacked Jericho and captured it. They burned it and killed its king (Joshua 6:22-25). Likewise, Joshua slaughtered the king of Libnah because the LORD was with Him. The Suzerain God worked things out for good for His covenant people, paving the way for them to conquer the Promised Land. It is the Lord who gave victory over Libnah to the Israelites (Deuteronomy 3:22).