Deuteronomy 10
Joshua 10 describes the southern campaign that follows Israel's treaty with Gibeon. Five Amorite kings attack Gibeon, the Gibeonites call for help, and Joshua leads Israel to defend them. The chapter includes the battle, the hailstorm, the reported standing still of the sun and moon, the execution of the five kings, and the capture of southern cities.
1verseAt that time the LORD said to me, “Cut two stone tablets like the first, and come up to me onto the mountain, and make an ark of wood.
2verseI will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.”
3verseSo I made an ark of acacia wood, and cut two stone tablets like the first, and went up onto the mountain, having the two tablets in my hand.
4verseHe wrote on the tablets, according to the first writing, the ten commandments, which the LORD spoke to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly; and the LORD gave them to me.
5verseI turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark which I had made; and there they are as the LORD commanded me.
6verse(The children of Israel traveled from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest’s office in his place.
7verseFrom there they traveled to Gudgodah; and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of brooks of water.
8verseAt that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of the LORD’s covenant, to stand before the LORD to minister to him, and to bless in his name, to this day.
9verseTherefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brothers; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD your God spoke to him.)
10verseI stayed on the mountain, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights; and the LORD listened to me that time also. The LORD would not destroy you.
11verseThe LORD said to me, “Arise, take your journey before the people; and they shall go in and possess the land which I swore to their fathers to give to them.”
12verseNow, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
13verseto keep the LORD’s commandments and statutes, which I command you today for your good?
14verseBehold, to the LORD your God belongs heaven, the heaven of heavens, and the earth, with all that is therein.
15verseOnly the LORD had a delight in your fathers to love them, and he chose their offspring after them, even you above all peoples, as it is today.
16verseCircumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff-necked.
17verseFor the LORD your God, he is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, the mighty, and the awesome, who doesn’t respect persons or take bribes.
18verseHe executes justice for the fatherless and widow and loves the foreigner in giving him food and clothing.
19verseTherefore love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.
20verseYou shall fear the LORD your God. You shall serve him. You shall cling to him, and you shall swear by his name.
21verseHe is your praise, and he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.
22verseYour fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now the LORD your God has made you as the stars of the sky for multitude.
Israel Defends Gibeon (Verses 1–11)
The kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon unite against Gibeon because it has made peace with Israel. Joshua marches through the night, and the LORD throws the enemy into confusion. The text also reports that hailstones kill many of the opposing forces.
The Sun and Moon Stand Still (Verses 12–15)
The chapter reports Joshua's appeal and the extraordinary event in which the sun and moon stand still until Israel's battle is completed. The passage presents the event as a sign that the LORD fought for Israel. Interpretive traditions differ on the precise nature of the phenomenon, so the safest explanation is to state what the text reports and its theological emphasis.
The Southern Campaign (Verses 16–43)
The five kings are captured and executed, and the narrative then summarizes the capture of several southern cities. The campaign is portrayed as part of the broader conquest narrative and is framed by the statement that the LORD fought for Israel.
Points for Reflection
- How does Joshua's defense of Gibeon relate to the oath made in chapter 9?
- How does the chapter portray divine help in the midst of conflict?
- Why should ancient war narratives be read with careful attention to context?
Apply It to Yourself
- Reflect on the responsibility that comes with promises and alliances.
- Consider how to seek help and act faithfully when facing pressure from multiple directions.
As part of Coupang Partners activities, this post may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
