Joshua 10 17

Joshua 10:17 kjv

And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.

Joshua 10:17 nkjv

And it was told Joshua, saying, "The five kings have been found hidden in the cave at Makkedah."

Joshua 10:17 niv

When Joshua was told that the five kings had been found hiding in the cave at Makkedah,

Joshua 10:17 esv

And it was told to Joshua, "The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah."

Joshua 10:17 nlt

When Joshua heard that they had been found,

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 17 Meaning

This verse reports to Joshua that the five confederate Canaanite kings, who had fled from battle, have been located attempting to hide in a cave at Makkedah. It signals the beginning of the end for these rulers, illustrating the futility of escaping divine judgment. The news marks a significant moment of victory and confirms God's unfailing hand in delivering Israel's enemies into their grasp.

Joshua 10 17 Context

Joshua 10 records a crucial and miraculous segment of Israel's conquest of Canaan. Following the Gibeonites' treaty with Israel, a confederation of five Amorite kings, led by Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem, attacked Gibeon for their defection. Joshua and the Israelite army marched swiftly to Gibeon's defense. In this battle, God supernaturally intervened by casting large hailstones upon the enemy and causing the sun and moon to stand still, granting Israel extended daylight to pursue and utterly defeat the Amorite armies. Verse 17 occurs immediately after this unparalleled divine assistance. While the main forces are still being annihilated in the field, news arrives of the fleeing kings' whereabouts. This sets the stage for their inevitable capture, execution, and subsequent public display, marking the comprehensive nature of Israel's victory and God's unwavering judgment against the inhabitants of the land. The verse bridges the miraculous battlefield victory with the definitive capture of the enemy leadership.

Joshua 10 17 Word analysis

• And it was told (וַיֻּגַּד - way-yug·gad): This verb is in the Hophal stem, a passive-causative form in Hebrew. It signifies "it was caused to be reported" or "it was made known." This structure indicates that the information was brought to Joshua by others, rather than him actively searching for or discovering it himself. This highlights the efficient and collective action of the Israelite forces, under divine oversight, in fulfilling God's directives.
• Joshua (לִיהוֹשֻׁעַ - lihohoshua‘): The divinely appointed leader of Israel's conquest. All critical intelligence for military operations was directed to him. His name, derived from the Hebrew "Yahweh is salvation," underscores his role as God's instrument in bringing deliverance and judgment.
• saying (לֵאמֹר - le’mor): A common Hebrew infinitive used idiomatically to introduce direct speech or to summarize the content of a report or command. It smoothly transitions to the specific message.
• The five kings (חֲמֵשֶׁת הַמְּלָכִים - chamêšet ham·mə·lā·ḵîm): This precise designation refers to the rulers of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. Their confederacy posed a significant threat. Their specific identification here emphasizes their prominence and the magnitude of the victory achieved against such formidable leaders.
• are found (נִמְצְאוּ - nimtsə’u): This verb is in the Niphal stem, signifying a passive action: "they were found." Like "it was told," this suggests the discovery was inevitable, almost predestined. Their efforts to hide were utterly futile, highlighting God's inescapable reach and omnipotence.
• hidden/hiding (נֶחְבָּאִים - neḥ·bā’îm): This is a Niphal participle, indicating an ongoing state of "being hidden" or "attempting to hide." It powerfully conveys their desperation and fear, as powerful kings are reduced to furtively seeking refuge. This image contrasts their former might with their present, ignominious flight.
• in a cave (בַּמְּעָרָה - bam·mə·‘ā·rāh): The definite article ("the") implies a known or specific cave. While caves naturally offered shelter, this one becomes their trap and ultimate prison. It's an ironic reversal where a place of supposed safety transforms into a locus of judgment and death.
• at Makkedah (מַקֵּדָה - maq·qê·ḏāh): The specific geographical location. Its naming firmly roots the account in a tangible, historical setting. Makkedah will become the site where these kings meet their end, reinforcing the precision of God's judgment and the fulfillment of His decree to utterly destroy the Canaanites.

• "And it was told Joshua... are found hidden": This phrase emphasizes the providential discovery of the kings. It was not through an extensive, arduous search initiated by Joshua himself, but rather a direct report brought to him by his men, likely by divine arrangement. This reinforces the ease with which God brings His plans to fruition and exposes His enemies.
• "The five kings... hidden in a cave": This highlights the dramatic and ignoble end of these powerful rulers. From leading armies and asserting their dominion, they are now reduced to hiding in fear within a natural recess. This stark contrast visually emphasizes their complete defeat and the comprehensive nature of God's victory over His adversaries.
• "hidden in a cave at Makkedah": This signifies not only their location but also their destined point of capture and execution. The cave, a place traditionally offering refuge, becomes an inescapable prison. Makkedah, previously just a place name, now becomes indelibly associated with the complete and public triumph of Israel and the demonstration of God's justice against Canaanite idolatry and wickedness.

Joshua 10 17 Bonus section

The act of these kings hiding in a cave carries prophetic weight, echoing later biblical passages, particularly Revelation, where kings and powerful figures will desperately seek to hide in caves from God's wrath on the Day of the Lord. This common human impulse to hide from a righteous God (seen as early as Adam and Eve in Genesis 3) is consistently portrayed in scripture as futile. The specific mention of "the cave" (with the definite article) implies a known landmark, grounding the miraculous account in a concrete geographical reality and reinforcing its historicity for the original audience. This entire incident—from the sun standing still to the precision of the kings' location being revealed—showcases God's comprehensive control over creation and history to ensure His purposes for His people are fulfilled.

Joshua 10 17 Commentary

Joshua 10:17 concisely reports the critical discovery of the five Amorite kings, underscoring the completeness of Israel's victory by divine power. This seemingly simple piece of intelligence is profoundly significant, as it marks the transition from military pursuit to the direct execution of God's judgment upon the land's wicked rulers. The futility of their hiding, even after miraculous divine intervention against their armies, perfectly illustrates that no one can ultimately escape the just hand of God. Their capture symbolizes the end of their defiance and the inescapable consequences of resisting the Almighty's will. The detail of the "cave" at "Makkedah" signifies not only their hiding place but their destined place of condemnation, transforming a natural refuge into a trap of divine justice.