“But Joshua took Makkedah on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that were therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.”
Joshua 10:28 is part of the account of the conquest of the Promised Land by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua:following the death of Moses. In this verse, we see that Joshua and the Israelites successfully capture the city of Makkedah and defeat its king, just as they had done to the king of Jericho.
This passage is part of the larger narrative in Joshua 10:which records several military victories of the Israelites as they advanced into the land of Canaan. After the miraculous defeat of the city of Jericho (Joshua 6:) the Israelites were emboldened and continued their conquest of the region.
Makkedah was a city in the southern part of Canaan, and its capture was significant because it allowed the Israelites to secure their control over that area and further establish their presence in the land. The defeat of the king and the destruction of the city were part of the Israelites’ strategy to remove any potential threats and establish their dominance.
It’s important to note that the conquest of Canaan, as described in the book of Joshua:can be challenging to understand from a modern perspective. The Israelites believed they were acting under the guidance and direction of God, who had promised them the land as an inheritance (Genesis 12:7; Joshua 1:6-9). They understood these military campaigns as fulfilling God’s purposes and carrying out His judgment upon the wickedness of the Canaanite nations (Deuteronomy 9:4-5).
While the conquest of Canaan involved military conflict and the destruction of cities, it is crucial to interpret these events within their historical and theological context. It is not an endorsement or justification for violence in general, but rather a specific account of ancient history and the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to the Israelites.
As with any passage in the Bible:it is helpful to consider the broader themes of God’s character, His plan for redemption, and His ultimate purposes for humanity. These themes can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the text and its relevance to our lives today.
