Joshua 10:28

And that day Joshua took Makkedah, 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 (KJV)

Context

Joshua 10:28 records the capture of Makkedah on the same day the five Amorite kings were defeated. Earlier, those kings had hidden in a cave at Makkedah (Joshua 10:16-27). After their execution, Joshua turned to the city itself. This verse is part of a larger campaign in southern Canaan, with similar conquests at Libnah and Lachish following in Joshua 10:29-32.

Meaning

The verse emphasizes complete destruction. Joshua took the city, struck it with the sword, and utterly destroyed the king and all the souls in it, leaving none remaining. The Hebrew word behind “utterly destroyed” is often translated as “devoted to destruction” (cherem), meaning the city was set apart for God’s judgment, not merely defeated in battle. The comparison to the king of Jericho links this event to Joshua 6, showing a consistent pattern of obedience. This was not random cruelty but a deliberate act of divine judgment within Israel’s theocratic history.

Biblical connections

This conquest fulfilled God’s promise to give Israel the land (Genesis 12:7; Joshua 1:6-9). It also carried out divine judgment on the Canaanite nations, as explained in Deuteronomy 9:4-5. The destruction was not human vengeance but a specific act within God’s plan. For believers, it illustrates the seriousness of sin and the certainty of God’s judgment, while also pointing to the need for complete obedience to God’s commands. The reference to Jericho shows that God’s commands are consistent, and His servants are to obey fully.

Application

This passage is not a model for personal violence. Instead, it calls believers to “utterly destroy” sin in their own lives, leaving no remnant that could cause future problems. This is spiritual discipline, not physical force. The verse reminds us that God is faithful to His promises and that His servants are to obey fully, as Joshua did. In the broader biblical narrative, this event is part of the conquest of Canaan, which serves as a picture of the believer’s spiritual warfare against sin and evil.

Reflection

God’s judgment is just, and He will not leave sin unpunished. Yet the cross shows that Christ took that judgment for sin, and a final judgment remains. Trust in God’s sovereignty and obey His commands fully, knowing He is faithful to His word. This passage encourages believers to take sin seriously and to rely on God’s grace for complete obedience.