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Joshua 10:38

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Joshua 10:38 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Finally Joshua and all Israel with him turned toward Debir and fought against it.

King James Version KJV

¶ And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:

American Standard Version ASV

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fought against it:

Bible in Basic English BBE

And Joshua and all Israel with him went on to make an attack on Debir;

Free Bible Version FBV

Then Joshua and the Israelite army turned and went to attack Debir.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

So Ioshua returned, and all Israel with him to Debir, and fought against it.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And Joshua turneth back, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fighteth against it,

World English Bible WEB

Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fought against it.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

Returning from thence to Dabir,

Translation for Translators T4T

Then Joshua and his army turned south and went to Debir city and attacked it.

Study Highlights

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Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 10:38

BAB
Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Joshua 10:38 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יָּ֧שָׁב יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ וְ/כָל יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל עִמּ֖/וֹ דְּבִ֑רָ/ה וַ/יִּלָּ֖חֶם עָלֶֽי/הָ
וַ/יָּ֧שָׁב shûwb H7725 to return Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ H3091 Joshua N-proper
וְ/כָל kôl H3605 all Conj | N-ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper
עִמּ֖/וֹ ʻim H5973 with Prep | Suff
דְּבִ֑רָ/ה Dᵉbîyr H1688 Debir N-proper | Suff
וַ/יִּלָּ֖חֶם lâcham H3898 to fight Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
עָלֶֽי/הָ ʻal H5921 upon Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 10:38

וַ/יָּ֧שָׁב shûwb H7725 "to return" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ H3091 "Joshua" N-proper
Joshua was a leader in the Bible, first mentioned in Ezra 2:2, who helped the Israelites return from exile. His name means Jehovah is salvation, and he is also known as Jeshua in some parts of the Bible. He was a key figure in the conquest of Canaan.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.2; son of: Jehozadak (H3087); father of: Joiakim (H3113); also called Jeshua at Ezr.2.2; 3.2,8; 4.3; 5.2; 1x12.1,7,10,26; § Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation" 1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan 2) a resident of Beth-shemesh on whose land the Ark of the Covenant came to a stop after the Philistines returned it 3) son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration 4) governor of Jerusalem under king Josiah who gave his name to a gate of the city of Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare H1954 (הוֹשֵׁעַ), H3442 (יֵשׁוּעַ). See also: Exodus 17:9; Joshua 9:15; Zechariah 6:11.
וְ/כָל kôl H3605 "all" Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
עִמּ֖/וֹ ʻim H5973 "with" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means with or together, like when God is with his people in Exodus 33:14-15. It's used to describe accompaniment or association, and can also mean against or beside. The word is used to convey a sense of relationship or proximity between people or things.
Definition: 1) with 1a) with 1b) against 1c) toward 1d) as long as
Usage: Occurs in 919 OT verses. KJV: accompanying, against, and, as ([idiom] long as), before, beside, by (reason of), for all, from (among, between), in, like, more than, of, (un-) to, with(-al). See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 21:14; Deuteronomy 29:11.
דְּבִ֑רָ/ה Dᵉbîyr H1688 "Debir" N-proper | Suff
Debir was an Amoritish king and the name of two places in Palestine, one of which was a town in the territory of Manasseh. It is mentioned in the book of Joshua as a location conquered by the Israelites.
Definition: A man living before Israel's Monarchy, only mentioned at Jos.10.3 § Lo-debar = "not a pasture" a town in Manasseh in Gilead east of the Jordan
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: Debir. See also: Joshua 10:3; Joshua 15:7; 1 Chronicles 6:43.
וַ/יִּלָּ֖חֶם lâcham H3898 "to fight" Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3ms
In the Bible, this word means to feed on or consume something, often referring to eating food or battling against someone. It's used in stories like David's battles and the Israelites' struggles in the wilderness.
Definition: 1) to fight, do battle, make war 1a) (Qal) to fight, do battle 1b) (Niphal) to engage in battle, wage war
Usage: Occurs in 171 OT verses. KJV: devour, eat, [idiom] ever, fight(-ing), overcome, prevail, (make) war(-ring). See also: Exodus 1:10; 2 Samuel 8:10; Psalms 35:1.
עָלֶֽי/הָ ʻal H5921 "upon" Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.

Study Notes — Joshua 10:38

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Joshua 15:15 From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher).
2 Joshua 12:13 the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;
3 Joshua 15:49 Dannah, Kiriath-sannah (that is, Debir),
4 Joshua 21:15 Holon, Debir,
5 Judges 1:11–15 From there they marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher). And Caleb said, “To the man who strikes down Kiriath-sepher and captures it, I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage.” So Othniel son of Caleb’s younger brother Kenaz captured the city, and Caleb gave his daughter Acsah to him in marriage. One day Acsah came to Othniel and urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, “What do you desire?” “Give me a blessing,” she answered. “Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me springs of water as well.” So Caleb gave her both the upper and lower springs.

Joshua 10:38 Summary

[Joshua and the Israelites turned their attention to Debir and fought against it, as they continued to conquer the Promised Land. This was part of God's plan to give the land to the Israelites, as promised in Genesis 12:7 and Exodus 23:31. By trusting in God's power and guidance, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, Joshua was able to lead the Israelites to victory. We can learn from Joshua's example by trusting in God's promises and obeying His commands, as seen in Psalm 37:3-7.]

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Joshua and the Israelites attack Debir?

Joshua and the Israelites attacked Debir as part of their campaign to conquer the Promised Land, as commanded by the Lord, the God of Israel, in Joshua 1:3 and Deuteronomy 1:8.

What can we learn from Joshua's military campaigns?

We can learn about the importance of obedience to God's commands, as seen in Joshua 10:38, and trusting in His power and guidance, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3-7.

How does this verse relate to the rest of the Bible?

This verse is part of the larger narrative of God's covenant with the Israelites, as seen in Genesis 12:7 and Exodus 23:31, and demonstrates God's faithfulness to His people and His promises.

What is the significance of Debir in the Bible?

Debir is one of the cities in the hill country of Judah, as mentioned in Joshua 15:49, and its conquest by Joshua marks another step in the fulfillment of God's promise to give the land to the Israelites, as stated in Joshua 21:45 and 23:14.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this verse reveal about Joshua's character and leadership?
  2. How does the conquest of Debir demonstrate God's power and sovereignty?
  3. What can I learn from the Israelites' obedience to God's commands in this verse?
  4. How can I apply the principles of trust and obedience seen in this verse to my own life?

Gill's Exposition on Joshua 10:38

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir,.... A city, according to Kimchi, which he passed by when he went to Hebron, and did not fight against it; but, when he had taken Hebron,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 10:38

And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it: No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 10:38

He is said to return thither, not as if he had been there before, but because having gone as far westward and southward as he thought fit, even as far as Gaza, , he now returned towards Gilgal, which lay northward and eastward from him, and in his return fell upon Debir: See Poole "".

Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 10:38

Joshua 10:38 And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:Ver. 38. To Debir.] Formerly called Kirjathsepher.

Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 10:38

(38) Debir is not identified.

Cambridge Bible on Joshua 10:38

38. returned] or turned. “Turnyde in,” Wyclif. The words indicate a change in the direction of the march. Comp. Exodus 5:22, “and Moses returned unto the Lord,” From Hebron he turned in to the south-west, and attacked Debir. Debir] The early name of this city was Kirjath-sepher = “the town of the book” (Joshua 15:15; Judges 1:11), or Kirjath-sannah = “the town of palm” (“of the law”?) (Joshua 15:49). We find it afterwards given with its “suburbs” to the priests (Joshua 21:15; 1 Chronicles 6:58). “About three miles to the west of Hebron is a deep and secluded valley called the Wady Nunkûr, enclosed on the north by hills, of which one bears a name certainly suggestive of Debir, Dewîr-ban. The name supplies some evidence that the Canaanites were acquainted with writing and books. The town probably contained a noted school, or was the site of an oracle, and the residence of some learned priests.” This accounts for the Hebrew name, Debir, which Jerome renders “oraculum.” The same term was used to denote the adytum of Solomon’s temple.

Barnes' Notes on Joshua 10:38

Joshua returned - The words mark a change in the direction of the march. Joshua from Hebron turned to the southwest, and attacked Debir or Kirjath-sepher and its dependencies Joshua 15:15.

Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 10:38

38. Hebron — See on Joshua 10:3. As the king of Hebron had been executed at Makkedah, his successor is probably referred to as killed in this siege.[38.
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