Matthew Poole and continuators on Joshua 10:40

40 ¶ So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings, he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed † all that breathed , as the LORD God of Israel commanded .

i. e. All mankind, by a Synecdoche: for they reserved the Cattel for their own uses.

This is added for the Vindication of the Israelites, whom God would not have to suffer in their Reputation for executing his commands; and therefore he acquits them of that implacable hatred and heinous cruelty, which they might be thought guilty of, and ascribes it to himself and his own just Indignation against this most wicked people.

Marginal references: ‡ Heb. all breath.; Deut. 20. 16, 17.