Joshua went and destroyed may be better rendered as “Joshua also destroyed,” since in Hebrew the use of the verb went (Revised Standard Version “came”) in such a context indicates continuation of action rather than movement.

With less complication than Good News Translation, the object of destroyed may be translated, “… the race of giants called the Anakim who lived in the cities of Hebron, Debir, Anab, and in all the rest of the hill country of Judah and Israel.” Or, “… Anakim. They lived in the cities of….” Either of these proposals would avoid the complications involved with the use of a dash.

The race of giants wiped out by Joshua are called the Anakim, that is, the descendants of Anak (see Num 13.33); and for the other names used of the Canaanite giants, see Deuteronomy 2.10-11. Of the places mentioned in the highlands of the south, Hebron and Debir are already known (see 10.36-39); Anab is located about 8 kilometers southeast of Debir. Again the verb completely destroyed is used.

Judah and Israel refer to the southern and the northern parts of the country.

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 .