After marching all night from GilgalJoshua's leadership and commitment are evident as he leads the Israelites on an all-night march. Gilgal, located near the Jordan River, served as the Israelites' base camp after crossing into the Promised Land. This location is significant as it was the first place they camped after the miraculous crossing of the Jordan, symbolizing a new beginning and God's faithfulness. The march demonstrates strategic military planning and reliance on God's guidance, as Joshua responds to the Gibeonites' plea for help. The all-night journey reflects the urgency and dedication required to fulfill God's commands, reminiscent of the Israelites' previous experiences of divine intervention and guidance.
Joshua caught them by surprise
The element of surprise was crucial in ancient warfare, and Joshua's ability to catch the Amorite coalition off guard highlights his tactical acumen. This surprise attack underscores the theme of divine assistance, as God had promised Joshua victory over his enemies. The Amorites, confident in their alliance and fortified positions, were unprepared for such a swift and decisive move. This event parallels other biblical accounts where God grants victory to His people against overwhelming odds, such as Gideon's victory over the Midianites. It also foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death, achieved through unexpected means.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, successor to Moses, and a faithful servant of God. He is known for his military leadership and his role in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.
2.
GilgalA significant location for the Israelites, serving as their base camp after crossing the Jordan River. It was a place of renewal and commitment to God.
3.
The Amorite KingsThe coalition of five Amorite kings who opposed Israel. They represent the opposition to God's people and His plans.
4.
The All-Night MarchA strategic military maneuver by Joshua and the Israelite army, demonstrating their commitment and readiness to follow God's guidance.
5.
The Surprise AttackThe result of Joshua's obedience and strategic planning, leading to a decisive victory over the Amorite coalition.
Teaching Points
Obedience and FaithfulnessJoshua's actions demonstrate the importance of obedience to God's commands and faithfulness in leadership. We are called to trust and obey God, even when the path is challenging.
Strategic Planning and Divine GuidanceWhile Joshua planned strategically, he relied on God's guidance. In our lives, we should balance planning with seeking God's direction.
God's Timing and SurpriseGod's timing can lead to unexpected victories. We should remain vigilant and ready for God's intervention in our lives.
Perseverance in ChallengesThe all-night march signifies perseverance. We are encouraged to endure and remain steadfast in our faith, even when the journey is long and tiring.
Victory through God's PowerThe victory over the Amorites was ultimately due to God's power. We should remember that our successes are by God's grace and strength.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Joshua 10:9?
2.How does Joshua 10:9 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?
3.What can we learn from Joshua's obedience and trust in God's timing?
4.How does Joshua 10:9 connect with God's command in Deuteronomy 31:6?
5.In what ways can we apply Joshua's courage in our daily challenges?
6.How does Joshua's leadership in Joshua 10:9 inspire us to lead with faith?
7.How did Joshua travel all night from Gilgal without rest?
8.Does Joshua 10:9 suggest divine intervention in military strategy?
9.What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Joshua 10:9?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 10?
11.What is Gilgal's significance in the Bible?
12.How could David and his men realistically fight from dusk until the following evening without rest (1 Samuel 30:17)?
13.How does Joshua 23:5’s promise of complete conquest align with later biblical texts showing ongoing battles and incomplete occupation of Canaan?
14.In Hosea 9:15, how do we reconcile an 'all-loving' God with the statement that God hates His people in Gilgal?What Does Joshua 10:9 Mean
After marching all nightJoshua’s forces cover roughly twenty miles of rugged ascent in the dark.
• Faith‐driven endurance: “Let us run with endurance the race set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).
• Obedience in motion: when God said, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand” (Joshua 10:8), Joshua moved immediately, much like Gideon’s night advance (Judges 7:19).
• Readiness for God’s timing: Israel’s trek parallels Israel’s earlier night crossing of the Red Sea when “the LORD looked down on the camp of the Egyptians in the morning watch” (Exodus 14:24). Action in the night positions God’s people for daylight victory.
from GilgalGilgal is more than a campsite; it is a place of covenant memory.
• Stones of remembrance were set up there after the Jordan crossing (Joshua 4:19–24).
• Circumcision and Passover renewed Israel’s identity at Gilgal (Joshua 5:2–10).
• Every campaign so far has begun here (Joshua 9:6; 10:6–7), reminding Israel that military movements flow out of spiritual foundations.
Joshua caught themLeadership that trusts God takes initiative.
• Joshua’s sudden appearance mirrors David’s swift strike when “David attacked them from twilight until the evening of the next day” (1 Samuel 30:17).
• God had already guaranteed victory (Joshua 10:8); Joshua acts as though the promise is present reality, fulfilling “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:9).
• Verse 10 follows: “The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel”, underlining that human initiative and divine intervention operate together.
by surpriseSurprise is God’s strategic gift, disorienting His enemies.
• Barak’s charge sent Sisera’s army into panic (Judges 4:15).
• Jehoshaphat’s singers triggered ambushes that “the LORD set” (2 Chronicles 20:22).
•Proverbs 21:31 reminds us, “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD”. God turns faithful planning into unexpected breakthrough.
summaryJoshua 10:9 shows faith in action: anchored at Gilgal’s covenant, willing to endure an all-night march, led by a decisive commander, and granted God-given surprise. The verse invites believers to trust God’s promises, move promptly in obedience, and expect Him to orchestrate victory beyond human calculation.
(9)
And went up.--Better thus,
And Joshua came upon them suddenly;(for)
all the night he had marched(come up)
from Gilgal.The expression "went up" is geographically correct, because the line of march from Gilgal to Gibeon is an ascent the whole way.
Verse 9. -
Suddenly. By a night march, so that he might surprise the confederates at the dawn of day. One of Joshua's chief characteristics as a general was celerity (see
Joshua 11:7). Masius praises Joshua for his prudence and diligence, and adds, "Qua arte Julium Caesarem tot victoriis clarum fuisse ne ipse quidem dissimulavit."
And went up. There is no "and" in the original. It runs thus: "All the night he went (or had gone) up from Gilgal."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
After marchingעָלָ֖ה(‘ā·lāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelyallכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everynightהַלַּ֕יְלָה(hal·lay·lāh)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915:A twist, night, adversityfromמִן־(min-)Preposition
Strong's 4480:A part of, from, out ofGilgal,הַגִּלְגָּֽל׃(hag·gil·gāl)Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1537:Gilgal -- 'circle (of stones)', the name of several places in PalestineJoshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ(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 Israelitescaughtוַיָּבֹ֧א(way·yā·ḇō)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935:To come in, come, go in, gothem by surprise.פִּתְאֹ֑ם(piṯ·’ōm)Adverb
Strong's 6597:Suddenness, suddenly
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OT History: Joshua 10:9 Joshua therefore came on them suddenly (Josh. Jos) 
