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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 10:38 Finally Joshua and all Israel with him turned toward Debir and fought against it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/10-38.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/06_Jos_10_38.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 10:38 - Conquest of the Southern Cities" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Finally Joshua and all Israel with him turned toward Debir and fought against it." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and fought against it:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and they fought against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to Debir, and they fought against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to Debir, and they fought against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to Debir, and they fought against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to Debir, and they fought against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to Debir, and fought against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Finally, Joshua turned toward Debir and attacked it. And all Israel was with him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Finally, Joshua turned toward Debir and attacked it. And all Israel was with him. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fought against it:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Joshua and the Israelite army turned and attacked Debir. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Then Joshua and all Israel went back to Debir and attacked it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then Joshua and his army turned back to Debir and attacked it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Joshua returned, accompanied by the entire fighting force of Israel, to Debir, where they attacked it, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Finally Joshua and all Israel with him turned toward Debir and fought against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Joshua and all Israel turned to Debir and fought against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fought against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fought against it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joshua turns back, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fights against it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Joshua turneth back, and all Israel with him, to Debir, and fighteth against it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua will turn back, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and he will war against it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Returning from thence to Dabir, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Returning from there to Debir,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Then Joshua and all Israel turned back to Debir and attacked it,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Then Joshua, with all Israel, turned back to Debir and assaulted it,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Then Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yeshua returned and all Israel with him to Dabir and he fought with it<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Joshua turned back, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel returned to Dabir; and they encamped about it;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/10-38.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=2780" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/10.htm">Conquest of the Southern Cities</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">37</span>They captured it and put to the sword its king, all its villages, and all the people. Joshua left no survivors, just as he had done at Eglon; he devoted to destruction Hebron and everyone in it. <span class="reftext">38</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3091.htm" title="3091: yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yhowshua; from Yhovah and yasha'; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua, the Jewish leader.">Finally Joshua</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im·mōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">with him</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: way·yā·šāḇ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/1688.htm" title="1688: də·ḇi·rāh (N-proper-fs:: 3fs) -- Or Dbir (but see Lo' Dbar); the same as dbiyr; Debir, the name of an Amoritish king and of two places in Palestine.">toward Debir</a> <a href="/hebrew/3898.htm" title="3898: way·yil·lā·ḥem (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To feed on, to consume, to battle. A primitive root; to feed on; figuratively, to consume; by implication, to battle.">and fought</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘ā·le·hā (Prep:: 3fs) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">against it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">39</span>And they captured Debir, its king, and all its villages. They put them to the sword and devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. Joshua did to Debir and its king as he had done to Hebron and as he had done to Libnah and its king.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/11-21.htm">Joshua 11:21</a></span><br />At that time Joshua proceeded to eliminate the Anakim from the hill country of Hebron, Debir, and Anab, and from all the hill country of Judah and of Israel. Joshua devoted them to destruction, along with their cities.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/12-13.htm">Joshua 12:13</a></span><br />the king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/15-15.htm">Joshua 15:15</a></span><br />From there he marched against the inhabitants of Debir (formerly known as Kiriath-sepher).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/1-10.htm">Judges 1:10</a></span><br />Judah also marched against the Canaanites who were living in Hebron (formerly known as Kiriath-arba), and they struck down Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/1-20.htm">Judges 1:20</a></span><br />Just as Moses had promised, Judah gave Hebron to Caleb, who drove out the descendants of the three sons of Anak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/4-13.htm">1 Chronicles 4:13</a></span><br />The sons of Kenaz: Othniel and Seraiah. The sons of Othniel: Hathath and Meonothai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/6-55.htm">1 Chronicles 6:55</a></span><br />They were given Hebron in the land of Judah and its surrounding pasturelands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-18.htm">2 Samuel 5:18-25</a></span><br />Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. / So David inquired of the LORD, “Should I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” “Go up,” replied the LORD, “for I will surely deliver the Philistines into your hand.” / So David went to Baal-perazim, where he defeated the Philistines and said, “Like a bursting flood, the LORD has burst out against my enemies before me.” So he called that place Baal-perazim. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/23-13.htm">2 Samuel 23:13-17</a></span><br />At harvest time, three of the thirty chief men went down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a company of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. / At that time David was in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was at Bethlehem. / David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-15.htm">1 Kings 9:15-17</a></span><br />This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon imposed to build the house of the LORD, his own palace, the supporting terraces, and the wall of Jerusalem, as well as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. / Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. / So Solomon rebuilt Gezer, Lower Beth-horon,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/11-25.htm">Nehemiah 11:25</a></span><br />As for the villages with their fields, some of the people of Judah lived in Kiriath-arba, Dibon, Jekabzeel, and their villages;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/28-21.htm">Isaiah 28:21</a></span><br />For the LORD will rise up as at Mount Perazim. He will rouse Himself as in the Valley of Gibeon, to do His work, His strange work, and to perform His task, His disturbing task.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-23.htm">Matthew 11:23</a></span><br />And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/16-18.htm">Matthew 16:18</a></span><br />And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-15.htm">Luke 10:15</a></span><br />And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades!</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/10-41.htm">Joshua 10:41</a></b></br> And Joshua smote them from Kadeshbarnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/12-13.htm">Joshua 12:13</a></b></br> The king of Debir, one; the king of Geder, one;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/15-15.htm">Joshua 15:15,49</a></b></br> And he went up thence to the inhabitants of Debir: and the name of Debir before <i>was</i> Kirjathsepher… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/10-36.htm">Assaulted</a> <a href="/joshua/10-36.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/joshua/10-36.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/joshua/10-3.htm">Debir</a> <a href="/joshua/10-36.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/10-36.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/8-21.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/joshua/10-15.htm">Turneth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/10-31.htm">Assaulted</a> <a href="/joshua/11-7.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/joshua/11-7.htm">Attacked</a> <a href="/joshua/10-39.htm">Debir</a> <a href="/joshua/10-40.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/10-40.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/11-10.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/joshua/10-43.htm">Turneth</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/10-1.htm">Five kings war against Gibeon</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/10-6.htm">Joshua rescues it</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/10-10.htm">God fights against them with hailstones</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/10-12.htm">The sun and moon stand still at the word of Joshua</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/10-16.htm">The five kings are murdered in a cave</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/10-22.htm">They are brought forth</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/10-24.htm">scornfully used</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/10-26.htm">and hanged</a></span><br><span class="reftext">28. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/10-28.htm">Seven kings more are conquered</a></span><br><span class="reftext">43. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/10-43.htm">Joshua returns to Gilgal</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Finally Joshua and all Israel with him</b><br>This phrase indicates a continuation of Joshua's military campaign in the southern region of Canaan. Joshua, as the leader of Israel, is fulfilling the divine mandate to conquer the Promised Land. The unity of "all Israel with him" emphasizes the collective effort and obedience of the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. This unity is crucial for the success of their mission, reflecting the importance of communal faith and action in achieving God's purposes.<p><b>turned toward Debir</b><br>Debir, also known as Kiriath-Sepher, was a significant Canaanite city located in the hill country of Judah. Its name means "sanctuary" or "oracle," suggesting it may have been a center of religious or cultural importance. The strategic move to Debir follows the pattern of conquering key cities to establish control over the region. Archaeological evidence suggests Debir was a fortified city, indicating the challenge Joshua and the Israelites faced. The turning toward Debir signifies a deliberate and strategic decision in the conquest narrative.<p><b>and fought against it</b><br>The act of fighting against Debir is part of the broader conquest narrative where Joshua leads Israel in battles to claim the land promised to their ancestors. This phrase highlights the ongoing conflict between the Israelites and the Canaanite inhabitants, reflecting the fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land. The warfare is not just physical but also spiritual, as it involves the overthrow of pagan practices and the establishment of a society centered on Yahweh. This battle, like others, can be seen as a type of spiritual warfare, prefiguring the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of Israel, successor to Moses, and a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. Known for his faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, consisting of the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They are engaged in the conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/d/debir.htm">Debir</a></b><br>A Canaanite city targeted by Joshua and the Israelites during their campaign to take possession of the land God promised them. It was a significant city in the southern part of Canaan.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_conquest_of_canaan.htm">The Conquest of Canaan</a></b><br>A series of military campaigns led by Joshua to take control of the land promised to the Israelites by God. This event is a fulfillment of God's covenant with Abraham.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_southern_campaign.htm">The Southern Campaign</a></b><br>A specific phase in the conquest where Joshua and the Israelites focused on defeating the southern Canaanite cities, including Debir.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a></b><br>Joshua's actions demonstrate the importance of following God's instructions without hesitation. Believers are called to trust and obey God's Word in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_in_action.htm">Faith in Action</a></b><br>The conquest of Debir is a testament to the power of faith in God's promises. Christians are encouraged to act on their faith, trusting in God's provision and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The physical battles of the Israelites can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual battles. Believers are reminded to put on the full armor of God and fight against spiritual forces of evil.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a></b><br>The successful conquest of Canaan, including Debir, underscores God's faithfulness to His promises. Christians can find assurance in God's unchanging nature and His commitment to fulfill His promises.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_unity.htm">Community and Unity</a></b><br>Joshua and all Israel fought together, highlighting the importance of unity and community in achieving God's purposes. Believers are encouraged to work together in their spiritual journeys.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_records_verify_joshua_10_event.htm">Why do no known external historical or astronomical records verify such an extraordinary event mentioned in Joshua 10?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/where's_the_evidence_of_joshua_22_10_altar.htm">Where is the historical or archaeological evidence of this altar mentioned in Joshua 22:10, considering its significance to the nation's unity?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_couldn't_ephraimites_expel_canaanites.htm">If God promised the land to Israel, why were the Ephraimites unable to drive out the Canaanites (Joshua 16:10), raising questions about divine promises?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_joshua_16_10_and_1_kings_9_15-16_differ.htm">Why does Joshua 16:10 say the Canaanites in Gezer became forced labor, yet 1 Kings 9:15-16 seems to contradict who controlled Gezer's fate?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/10.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(38) <span class= "bld">Debir</span> is not identified.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 38.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Joshua returned.</span> Rather, Joshua <span class="accented">turned.</span> Debir was not on the way <span class="accented">back</span> from Hebron to Eglon, but in a different direction. His march was now southward instead of eastward. <span class="cmt_word">Debir</span>. A city of importance, since only Hebron and it are mentioned in the history of the campaign as having cities dependent on them. It is also called Kirjath-Sepher (<a href="/joshua/15-15.htm">Joshua 15:15</a>; <a href="/judges/1-11.htm">Judges 1:11</a>), and Kirjath-Sannah (<a href="/joshua/15-49.htm">Joshua 15:49</a>). The first name signifies "the city of the hook," from whence it has been argued that it was the seat of what we should now call an university. Recent discoveries have rendered this supposition by no means improbable. The Hittite remains have proved that people to have been a more influential and intellectual people in early times than had ever been supposed until lately. Others have suggested that it was the abode of an oracle, which is rendered probable if Debir be connected with <span class="hebrew">דָבָר</span> word. The meaning of Kirjath-Sannah is by no means clear. Some have derived it from the Arabic "sunna," <span class="accented">law</span>, or <span class="accented">doctrine</span> (whence the Sunnite sect among the Mohammedans), and some from <span class="hebrew">סַנָּה</span> or <span class="hebrew">סֶנֶה</span>, a palm branch, or more probably a thornbush. Ritter thinks that both Kirjath-Sepher and Kirjath-Sannah imply the place where the public records were kept. Perhaps what is meant is that, like Mona or Anglesea to the Druids, Debir was the home of the Canaanitish religious traditions. Debir appears as Dapur in the list of fortified cities in Canaan captured by Seti I. and Rameses II. of Egypt. They are depicted on the monumental records. See Tomkins, 'Studies of the Time of Abraham,' p. 84. Debir has lately been identified by the Palestine Survey. Lieut. Conder ('Quarterly Paper,' Jan., 1875, p. 48) fixes it at El Dho-heriyeh or Dhaheriyeh. The identification depends upon the passages <a href="/joshua/15-19.htm">Joshua 15:19</a>, and <a href="/judges/1-15.htm">Judges 1:15</a>. See note on the former. The grounds of the identification are as follows: <p><span class="Text_Heading">1.</span> Debir (see last note) was southward of Hebron. <p><span class="Text_Heading">2.</span> The circumstances require an arid locality, but within a moderate distance two sets of springs, or pools of water. <p><span class="Text_Heading">3.</span> There must be signs of ancient dwellings, and, as Debir was a royal city, it must be the converging point of the various roads. All these conditions are fulfilled by El Dhaheriyeh. The rock excavations, the sign of the most ancient dwellings, are plentiful there; ancient roads are found converging in all directions. And six miles and a half north of the village fourteen springs, or pools, are found, some at the head of the valley, some lower down, and some at a lower level still. The distance of these from Debit is in exact accordance with the narrative. They are too far off to be included as a matter of course within the boundaries of Debit, and would naturally enough become the object of such a petition as Achsah is said to have preferred in the passage above cited. Wilson's 'Lands of the Bible,' 1:351, speaks of the excavations here, but does not appear to have been aware of their antiquity. He describes the inhabitants as living in them. But he remarks - and it is a singular confirmation of Lieut. Conder's subsequent discovery - that the sites of five out of the ten cities mentioned in conjunction with Debir in <a href="/joshua/15-48.htm">Joshua 15:48-51</a>, are to be found in the immediate neighbourhood of Dhaheriyeh (ibid. p. 353). From this passage and some others, however, Knobel has anticipated Lieut. Conder's suggestion. He describes Thaharijeh, as he calls it, as on the high road from Gaza, with ruins of great antiquity, situated in the midst of a country which, though barren in appearance and destitute of trees and arable land, is yet rich in pasture. But he says nothing of the springs, the only thing wanting to make the evidence complete. Ritter's description of the place as the "first place of importance" on arriving in Palestine from the south, and as the meeting place of the roads from Beersheba, from Gaza and Egypt, and from Petra and Sinai, confirm Lieut. Conder's view, but Bitter does not seem to have identified it with Debir, though he regards it as "one of a series of fortresses designed to protect the southern frontier of Judaea" (3:193, 288). It became a Levitical city (<a href="/joshua/21-15.htm">Joshua 21:15</a>; <a href="/1_chronicles/6-58.htm">1 Chronicles 6:58</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/10-38.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Finally Joshua</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3091.htm">Strong's 3091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with him</span><br /><span class="heb">עִמּ֖וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(‘im·mōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> </span><span class="str2">With, equally with</span><br /><br /><span class="word">turned</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּ֧שָׁב</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·šāḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn back, in, to retreat, again</span><br /><br /><span class="word">toward Debir</span><br /><span class="heb">דְּבִ֑רָה</span> <span class="translit">(də·ḇi·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1688.htm">Strong's 1688: </a> </span><span class="str2">Debir -- an Amorite king, also the name of several places in Palestine</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and fought</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם</span> <span class="translit">(way·yil·lā·ḥem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3898.htm">Strong's 3898: </a> </span><span class="str2">To feed on, to consume, to battle</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against it.</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלֶֽיהָ׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·le·hā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/10-38.htm">Joshua 10:38 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/10-38.htm">Joshua 10:38 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/10-38.htm">Joshua 10:38 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/10-38.htm">Joshua 10:38 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/10-38.htm">Joshua 10:38 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/10-38.htm">Joshua 10:38 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/10-38.htm">Joshua 10:38 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/10-38.htm">Joshua 10:38 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/10-38.htm">Joshua 10:38 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/10-38.htm">Joshua 10:38 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/10-38.htm">OT History: Joshua 10:38 Joshua returned and all Israel with him (Josh. 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