Paragraph 10:33
10:33a
At that time Horam king of Gezer: Horam is the only king in this list of kings and towns who is mentioned by name. The grammar of this sentence is also different from the usual narrative storyline pattern in Hebrew.
The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as At that time indicates that the action that follows has special prominence. This verse stands at the center of the narrative about these seven towns. It emphasizes the military leadership of Joshua because Horam king of Gezer came to the help of Lachish. However, Joshua and the Israelites defeated both Horam’s army and the army of Lachish. Some English versions give prominence to this verse in the following ways:
During this same time King Horam of Gezer came to help Lachish (New Century Version)
-or-
During the attack on Lachish, King Horam of Gezer arrived with his army to help defend the town (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
At that time King Horam of Gezer had come to help Lachish (God’s Word)
Gezer: The town of Gezer is probably about 35 kilometers north of Lachish.
went to help Lachish: The phrase went to help is used in a military sense. It indicates that the king and his army came prepared to fight a battle.
10:33b
but: The Berean Standard Bible used the word but here to indicate that what happens is surprising and not what was expected.
Joshua struck him down along with his people: The clause Joshua struck him down along with his people indicates that Joshua and the Israelite army killed the king of Gezer and his army.
leaving no survivors: The clause leaving no survivors indicates that the Israelite army continued to attack the army of the king of Gezer until every soldier had died.
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