This verse gives a very comprehensive statement about the completeness of the conquest. However, while this text presents the conquest as complete and successful, other texts indicate that Israel was unable to subdue certain cities and peoples (Joshua 13:13; Joshua 15:63; Joshua 16:10; Joshua 17:12–13; Judges 1:21). The opening of the book of Judges also suggests the conquest was still going on after the death of Joshua (Judges 1:1). How to understand these words is somewhat difficult. It could be understood as reflective of an ideal that was not immediately realized by Israel. It could also be shown to convey the success of the conquest since the Canaanite kings were no longer able to present a united front and their power had been broken. Most likely, however, we are to see this verse and the following one as an example of hyperbole. The emphasis on all the enemies being destroyed and all God’s promises being kept is an exaggeration that is meant to emphasize a particular theme. This was a common writing technique in the ancient Near East.1
44 And the LORD gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the LORD had given all their enemies into their hands.