Joshua 11:13

13 But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Yisra'el burned none of them, save Hatzor only; that did Yehoshua burn.

Joshua 11:13 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 11:13

But as for the cities that stood still in their strength
Whose walls were not demolished when taken, as Kimchi and Jarchi interpret it, or that "stood upon their heaps" ^F25; upon an eminence, being built on hills and mountains:

Israel burned none of them;
but reserved them for their own habitations, being well fortified, and having no need of new walls being built to them, or being in a very agreeable situation:

save Hazor only, [that] did Joshua burn;
because it was the chief city where the scheme was formed, and the combination against Israel was made, and was the rendezvous of the confederate forces against them: the Jews have a tradition ^F26, that God said to Moses, and Moses said to Joshua, that he should burn it, and that only.

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FOOTNOTES:

F25 (Mlt le) "super tumulum eorum", Montanus; "quae erant in collibus et in tamulis sitae", V. L.
F26 Bereshit Rabba, sect. 81. fol. 71. 1.

Joshua 11:13 In-Context

11 They struck all the souls who were therein with the edge of the sword, utterly destroying them; there was none left who breathed: and he burnt Hatzor with fire.

12 All the cities of those kings, and all the kings of them, did Yehoshua take, and he struck them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed them; as Moshe the servant of the LORD commanded.

13 But as for the cities that stood on their mounds, Yisra'el burned none of them, save Hatzor only; that did Yehoshua burn.

14 All the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Yisra'el took for a prey to themselves; but every man they struck with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any who breathed.

15 As the LORD commanded Moshe his servant, so did Moshe command Yehoshua: and so did Yehoshua; he left nothing undone of all that the LORD commanded Moshe.