👉 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
Explanation: Okay, letās break down this verse from Joshua 10:40. Itās a really powerful and dramatic statement about God's power. Hereās what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Joshua was completely obliterating everything ā all the people, kingdoms, and even the land itself ā with a single, devastating act. Letās unpack it piece by piece: āSo Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springsā¦ā - This describes a vast area. He wasn't just targeting one specific spot; he was taking over an entire region. Think of it like a massive, sweeping campaign. āā¦and of the kingsā¦ā ā This means all the rulers and leaders were targeted. It wasnāt just about local chieftains; it was about the entire kingdom of Israel and Judah. "...he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed..." - This is the core of the verse. āBreathedā refers to all living things ā people, animals, plants, even the land itself. Joshua completely wiped out everything that existed. He didnāt just kill some people; he obliterated the entire kingdom. "...as the LORD God of Israel commanded." - This is a crucial part. It's saying this action was ordered by God. It wasn't a random act of violence; it was a deliberate and sanctioned destruction carried out by Godās authority. It emphasizes that this wasnāt just a brutal war; it was a divine judgment. In short, the verse describes a complete and utter annihilation of everything under Joshuaās control. It speaks to God's absolute power and his willingness to completely destroy his enemies. Important Context: This is often interpreted as a pivotal moment in Israelās history ā a time when God decisively defeated their enemies and established His dominion over the land. --- Do you want me to explain any of these parts further, or would you like me to relate this verse to a specific biblical story or theme? For example, we could discuss: Why this event is significant in the Old Testament. What it might symbolize about Godās power and judgment.