Definition: And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Joshua 10:31. It's a really important and dramatic part of the story of the Israelites’ defeat at the Battle of Jericho. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Joshua is leaving the conquered city of Jericho. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Joshua passed from Libnah…” : This refers to the city of Libnah, which was the capital of the region where the Israelites were being forced into. Joshua was moving away from this place. “…and all Israel with him…” : This means that everyone who was in the army – the soldiers, the leaders, and even some civilians – followed Joshua. It’s a huge group of people. “unto Lachish…” : Lachish was a fortified city located to the east of Jericho, and it was the stronghold of the Canaanites (the people who had conquered Jericho). So, Joshua was being led to this place. “…and encamped against it…” : Joshua’s army formed a large defensive line around the walls of Lachish. They were positioned to protect themselves from any further attacks. “and fought against it:” This is the key part! Joshua and his army fought against the Canaanites. They successfully defeated them, pushing them back. So, what’s the big takeaway? This verse describes a decisive victory for the Israelites after a long period of oppression. It signifies that God chose to deliver them from their enemies and established them as rulers in the land. It's a story about God’s power and faithfulness. It shows that even though they were surrounded, they persevered and ultimately won through God's intervention. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Give you some historical context (like why this battle was so important)? Talk about the significance of the word "Lachish"?