Joshua 10 18

Joshua 10:18 kjv

And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them:

Joshua 10:18 nkjv

So Joshua said, "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them.

Joshua 10:18 niv

he said, "Roll large rocks up to the mouth of the cave, and post some men there to guard it.

Joshua 10:18 esv

And Joshua said, "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave and set men by it to guard them,

Joshua 10:18 nlt

he issued this command: "Cover the opening of the cave with large rocks, and place guards at the entrance to keep the kings inside.

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 18 Meaning

Joshua commands that large stones be rolled to block the entrance of the cave where the five Amorite kings (of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon) are hiding, and that men be stationed to guard it securely. This action strategically isolates and secures the enemy leaders, preventing their escape while the broader conquest continues.

Joshua 10 18 Context

Joshua chapter 10 recounts one of the most significant battles in Israel's conquest of Canaan. Following Israel's covenant fidelity and swift action after the Gibeonite deception, a coalition of five Amorite kings (from Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon) formed an alliance to attack Gibeon. Gibeon, now allied with Israel, called for Joshua's help. The battle, divinely aided by hailstones and the sun standing still, resulted in a decisive victory for Israel. As the Amorite kings fled the battlefield, they sought refuge in a cave at Makkedah. Verse 18 details Joshua's strategic command to secure these high-value captives. This action was not merely tactical; it demonstrated full military control and prepared for the public display of divine judgment that follows later in the chapter (v. 22-27), solidifying Israel's conquest and fulfilling God's promise. This act underlines the completeness of the victory and the certainty of divine retribution upon God's enemies.

Joshua 10 18 Word analysis

• Then Joshua said: Signifies a direct and authoritative command from Israel's divinely appointed leader, acting in accordance with the Lord's instructions (Jos 1:2-9).
• "Roll" (Hebrew: gollu, גֹּלּוּ): An imperative verb, demanding immediate and concerted effort. It suggests a physically strenuous action required due to the size and weight of the stones.
• "large stones" (Hebrew: avanim gedolot, אֲבָנִים גְּדֹלוֹת): Literally "great stones." This detail emphasizes the impenetrable nature of the barrier, ensuring no escape by the kings' own efforts. It symbolizes the totality of their entrapment and the impossibility of self-deliverance from God's judgment.
• "against the mouth of the cave" (Hebrew: peh ham-me'arah, פֶּה הַמְּעָרָה): "Mouth" specifically denotes the opening or entrance, the sole point of egress. The precise placement of the stones ensures the exit is completely sealed, turning the natural hiding place into a sealed prison.
• "and place men by it": Joshua delegates specific personnel for this vital task. This reflects orderly military discipline and tactical foresight, ensuring the command is executed and maintained efficiently.
• "to guard them" (Hebrew: shomerim, שֹׁמְרִים): This refers to an active, vigilant watch, designed to prevent any escape attempt, either by those within or by potential outside rescuers. It underlines the importance of holding these high-value enemies captive for a subsequent purpose (their public execution).

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave": This phrase details the thorough and powerful method of sealing the cave. The "large stones" signify a formidable and essentially insurmountable physical barrier for those trapped inside. This act transforms a hiding place into an inescapable confinement, highlighting the total entrapment of the enemy leaders and God's secure defeat of His foes.
• "and place men by it to guard them": This segment reveals Joshua's strategic foresight and ensures the capture is absolute. While the stones create the primary physical seal, the assigned men provide continuous, active security against any external interference or internal attempt to move the stones. This multi-layered approach guarantees the kings remain captive, awaiting their ultimate judgment. It reflects diligent human action complementing divine victory.

Joshua 10 18 Bonus section

The seemingly simple act described in Joshua 10:18 carries profound theological and practical implications:

• Polemical Significance: The capture of these powerful Amorite kings, leaders who might have been perceived as divinely protected or embodiments of national strength, deeply undermined the pagan belief systems of Canaan. Their pathetic flight and subsequent entrapment, hiding like common fugitives, served as a potent declaration of Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over human power and other gods. It visibly showcased that no king, no alliance, no hiding place could escape the hand of the true God.
• Strategic Military Excellence: By quickly securing these critical figures, Joshua demonstrated acute military wisdom. This enabled him to direct the Israelite forces to continue pursuing the fleeing Amorite army and completely break their power, without diversion or distraction, before dealing with the captive kings. It was a well-executed holding action for a later, more public display of triumph and justice.
• Preparation for Symbolic Justice: The cave served as a temporary prison. This allowed for the profound, symbolic act where Israelite commanders placed their feet on the necks of the captured kings (v. 24) – a powerful, humiliating act of subjugation, prior to their execution. This public demonstration solidified the divine decree of judgment for all Israel and surrounding nations to witness, fostering both awe of God and fear of His people.
• Illustration of God's Certainty: The verse highlights that despite attempts to hide or escape, God's enemies will ultimately be found and brought to justice. No cave is deep enough, and no rock large enough, to truly shield them from the preordained consequences of their defiance against the Creator.

Joshua 10 18 Commentary

Joshua 10:18 showcases Joshua's strategic brilliance coupled with his unwavering commitment to fulfilling God's directives. Following the miraculous victory on the battlefield, the immediate priority was securing the leadership of the defeated Amorite coalition. Joshua's command to "roll large stones against the mouth of the cave" where the kings hid, effectively creating an impassable barrier, illustrates God's complete power over His enemies, even when they attempt to flee. The addition of "men by it to guard them" emphasizes careful military execution and vigilant follow-through. This wasn't merely a pragmatic tactic; it was an act preparing the stage for the dramatic, public judgment that soon followed (vv. 22-27), demonstrating that divine victory not only includes physical conquest but also the definitive humbling and judgment of those who oppose God's purposes. Spiritually, it serves as a reminder that though evil may temporarily hide, it cannot ultimately escape God's decreed judgment.