What does Joshua 10:28 mean?
"¶ 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

As per your request, I will provide a detailed interpretation of Joshua 10:28 from the King James Version of the Bible.
The verse Joshua 10:28 states: "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."
In order to properly understand the deeper meaning of this verse, it is essential to first understand the broader context in which it is set. The book of Joshua recounts the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, following the death of Moses. Joshua 10:28 takes place in the midst of the Israelite campaign to conquer the land of Canaan, which had been promised to them by God. This campaign was marked by a series of military victories and battles against the various Canaanite tribes and cities.
The verse describes the Israelites' conquest of Makkedah, a city in the hill country of Judah. The city’s king is also mentioned, signifying the ruling power of the city. The text emphasizes that Joshua and his army did not just defeat the people of Makkedah, but that they "utterly destroyed" them, leaving no survivors behind. This is consistent with the brutal nature of warfare in ancient times and the resolution of the Israelites to claim the Promised Land as their own.
The verse also references the fate of the king of Makkedah, likening it to the fate of the king of Jericho. This alludes to the destruction of Jericho, which is detailed earlier in the book of Joshua. Both the king of Makkedah and the king of Jericho are presented as symbols of opposition to God's plan for the Israelites, and their fate serves as a warning to those who dare to defy God's will.
From a thematic perspective, Joshua 10:28 highlights the theme of divine conquest and judgment. It depicts the Israelites as instruments of God's will, carrying out his judgment upon the pagan nations of Canaan. The verse also emphasizes the concept of total warfare, in which the Israelites were commanded to utterly destroy their enemies and leave no survivors. This extreme form of warfare reflects the ancient Israelites' understanding of the necessity to remove all traces of idolatry and opposition to God from the land.
Furthermore, the verse serves as a reminder of the Israelites' unwavering commitment to fulfilling God's promises. By eradicating the inhabitants of Makkedah, the Israelites demonstrated their dedication to claiming the land that God had promised to them. This act of conquest and destruction thus serves as a manifestation of their faith and their allegiance to God.
In terms of symbolism, the conquest of Makkedah can be seen as a metaphor for the spiritual battles that individuals face in their own lives. It serves as a reminder that in order to claim the blessings and promises of God, one must be willing to confront and overcome the obstacles and opposition that stand in the way. The total destruction of Makkedah and its inhabitants also symbolizes the thorough eradication of sin and unbelief from one's life, leaving no room for compromise or accommodation.
In conclusion, Joshua 10:28 captures a pivotal moment in the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land, emphasizing themes of divine conquest, judgment, and faithfulness. It serves as a potent reminder of the Israelites' unwavering commitment to fulfilling God's promises, as well as a symbol of the spiritual battles that individuals face in their own lives. Through its vivid portrayal of conquest and destruction, the verse underscores the necessity of wholehearted dedication to God and his plans.
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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."
"¶ 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
Joshua 24:28 - "So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance."
Joshua 8:28 - "And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day."
Joshua 15:28 - "And Hazar-shual, and Beer-sheba, and Bizjothjah,"
Joshua 1:10 - "¶ Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,"
Joshua 13:28 - "This is the inheritance of the children of Gad after their families, the cities, and their villages."
Joshua 10:43 - "And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal."
Joshua 10:38 - "¶ And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, to Debir; and fought against it:"
Joshua 10:15 - "¶ And Joshua returned, and all Israel with him, unto the camp to Gilgal."
Joshua 19:28 - "And Hebron, and Rehob, and Hammon, and Kanah, even unto great Zidon;"
Joshua 18:10 - "¶ And Joshua cast lots for them in Shiloh before the LORD: and there Joshua divided the land unto the children of Israel according to their divisions."
Joshua 10:17 - "And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah."
Joshua 21:28 - "And out of the tribe of Issachar, Kishon with her suburbs, Dabareh with her suburbs,"
"So Joshua let the people depart, every man unto his inheritance." - Joshua 24:28
"And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day." - Joshua 8:28
Joshua 10:9 - "Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night."
"¶ Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying," - Joshua 1:10
Joshua 10:29 - "Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:"
Joshua 10:36 - "And Joshua went up from Eglon, and all Israel with him, unto Hebron; and they fought against it:"
Joshua 10:18 - "And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them:"
Joshua 10:31 - "¶ And Joshua passed from Libnah, and all Israel with him, unto Lachish, and encamped against it, and fought against it:"
Joshua 10:34 - "¶ And from Lachish Joshua passed unto Eglon, and all Israel with him; and they encamped against it, and fought against it:"
"And Hazar-shual, and Beer-sheba, and Bizjothjah," - Joshua 15:28
Joshua 10:22 - "Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave."
Joshua 10:7 - "So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour."
Joshua 10:42 - "And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel."
Joshua 7:10 - "¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?"
Joshua 10:41 - "And Joshua smote them from Kadesh-barnea even unto Gaza, and all the country of Goshen, even unto Gibeon."
Joshua 10:21 - "And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel."