They put everyone there to death presents “And they put to the sword all who were in it, utterly destroying them” (Revised Standard Version) of the Hebrew text. The verb which Revised Standard Version renders “utterly destroying” is the same Hebrew verb discussed at 2.10, which means “dedicate to God (for complete destruction).”

While the Hebrew text uses three verbs to describe the slaughter of the people, Good News Translation uses only two. If the form of Good News Translation is followed, then no one was left alive may be translated either “they did not leave anyone alive” or “they killed everyone there.” And the city was burned may also be translated as an active: “and they burned the city.”

Recent excavations have dated the destruction of Hazor around 1225 B. C. The city was rebuilt by Solomon (1 Kgs 9.15).

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .