Definition: And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Joshua 11:10. It's a pretty dramatic story about a battle and a shift in power. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Historical Context: This verse comes after the Israelites had conquered the city of Hazor. Hazor was a significant city, and the Israelites were determined to destroy it. Joshua's Action: Joshua, the leader of the Israelite army, decides to take action. He leads his forces to attack Hazor. The Battle & Destruction: During the battle, Joshua’s soldiers systematically destroy the city. They kill the king and everyone inside. A Shift in Power: The most important part is that after this destruction, Hazor becomes the "head of all those kingdoms." That means it starts to become the most powerful and dominant kingdom in the region. Let's unpack it further: “And Joshua at that time turned back…” – This tells us that Joshua wasn’t just doing this action; he was making a deliberate decision. He recognized the importance of Hazor and decided to take control of it. “…and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword:” – He actually took the city by force. He used a sword to kill the king, signifying his complete victory. “For Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms.” – This is the key part! It means that after the battle, Hazor became the most important and powerful kingdom in the entire region. It essentially established it as the leader. What does this mean symbolically? This verse speaks to a larger idea: order and stability. When a strong, victorious kingdom like Hazor becomes the “head of all kingdoms,” it suggests that God’s will and his chosen rulers are establishing a proper order and protecting their people. It's a message about the importance of righteous leadership and the establishment of power for good. In short: This verse describes a significant victory where Joshua conquered a city, destroyed its king, and established Hazor as the dominant force in the region – signifying God’s chosen rule establishing order and protecting his people. --- Do you want me to: Explain any of these points further? Give an example of how this verse relates to other stories or events in the Bible?