Finally Joshua and all Israel with him
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.

turned toward Debir
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.

and fought against it
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.

1. Joshua
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.

2. Israel
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.

3. Debir
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.

4. The Conquest of Canaan
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.

5. The Southern Campaign
A specific phase in the conquest where Joshua and the Israelites focused on defeating the southern Canaanite cities, including Debir.Obedience to God's Commands
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.

Faith in Action
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.

Spiritual Warfare
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.

God's Faithfulness
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.

Community and Unity
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.(38) Debir is not identified.

Verse 38. - And Joshua returned. Rather, Joshua turned. Debir was not on the way back from Hebron to Eglon, but in a different direction. His march was now southward instead of eastward. Debir. 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 (Joshua 15:15; Judges 1:11), and Kirjath-Sannah (Joshua 15:49). 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 דָבָר word. The meaning of Kirjath-Sannah is by no means clear. Some have derived it from the Arabic "sunna," law, or doctrine (whence the Sunnite sect among the Mohammedans), and some from סַנָּה or סֶנֶה, 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 Joshua 15:19, and Judges 1:15. See note on the former. The grounds of the identification are as follows:

1. Debir (see last note) was southward of Hebron.

2. The circumstances require an arid locality, but within a moderate distance two sets of springs, or pools of water.

3. 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 Joshua 15:48-51, 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 (Joshua 21:15; 1 Chronicles 6:58).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Finally Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

with him
עִמּ֖וֹ (‘im·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

turned
וַיָּ֧שָׁב (way·yā·šāḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7725: To turn back, in, to retreat, again

toward Debir
דְּבִ֑רָה (də·ḇi·rāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 1688: Debir -- an Amorite king, also the name of several places in Palestine

and fought
וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם (way·yil·lā·ḥem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3898: To feed on, to consume, to battle

against it.
עָלֶֽיהָ׃ (‘ā·le·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against


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OT History: Joshua 10:38 Joshua returned and all Israel with him (Josh. Jos)