Joshua 10 22

Joshua 10:22 kjv

Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.

Joshua 10:22 nkjv

Then Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings to me from the cave."

Joshua 10:22 niv

Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me."

Joshua 10:22 esv

Then Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me from the cave."

Joshua 10:22 nlt

Then Joshua said, "Remove the rocks covering the opening of the cave, and bring the five kings to me."

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 22 Meaning

Joshua 10:22 marks a pivotal moment after the overwhelming victory against the Amorite coalition. Joshua, acting under divine authority, commands that the five defeated Canaanite kings, who had sought refuge in a cave, be brought forth for judgment. This act symbolizes the unmasking of hidden enemies and the enforcement of God's righteous verdict against the wicked inhabitants of the land, preparing the way for Israel's complete conquest and possession.

Joshua 10 22 Context

Joshua 10 recounts one of Israel's most significant battles during the conquest of Canaan. After Gibeon made peace with Israel (v. 1-5), a coalition of five Amorite kings, fearing the expanding Israelite power, attacked Gibeon. Gibeon appealed to Joshua for help. Following God's explicit assurance (v. 8), Joshua marched swiftly, launched a surprise attack, and decisively routed the Amorite forces, aided by miraculous hailstones and the sun standing still (v. 9-14). The pursuit of the fleeing enemy continued, resulting in a nearly complete annihilation. The five Amorite kings, realizing their defeat, sought refuge by hiding in a cave at Makkedah (v. 16). Joshua, focused on complete victory, ordered the cave's entrance blocked and maintained the pursuit of the remaining forces (v. 17-21). Verse 22 then marks the transition from pursuit to the systematic application of God's judgment upon the kings themselves, signifying the complete and undeniable triumph of the Lord through Joshua over the entrenched powers of Canaan.

Joshua 10 22 Word analysis

• Then: Signifies a chronological progression following the battle and pursuit. It indicates the next authoritative action by Joshua, highlighting the ordered and intentional nature of the conquest.
• Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ - Yehoshua): The leader of Israel, whose name means "Yahweh is salvation" or "Yahweh saves." His command here reflects his role as God's chosen instrument in carrying out divine judgment and establishing Israel in the land. His actions are an extension of God's will.
• said (וַיֹּ֙אמֶר - vayyomer): A common biblical idiom introducing a statement or command. In this context, it underscores Joshua's direct, unequivocal authority given by God (Josh 1:5, 9) and marks the issuance of a binding instruction.
• Open (פִּתְחוּ - Pit'chu): An imperative verb, plural, demanding action from those with him. It means to unseal, unblock, or reveal. Symbolically, it means to expose what was hidden. The act of "opening" contrasts with the previous command to "close" (Josh 10:18), signifying the shift from containment to revelation.
• the mouth (אֶת־פִּ֣י - et-pi): Literally "mouth," but idiomatically refers to the opening or entrance of something, much like we speak of the "mouth of a river." Here, it vividly refers to the cave's opening.
• of the cave (הַמְּעָרָ֔ה - ha-me'arah): Refers to the specific subterranean hiding place where the kings were trapped. Caves were often used for shelter, storage, or refuge, but here it is a place of futile concealment from divine judgment.
• and bring (וְהוֹצִ֨יאוּ - v'hotziu): Another imperative, plural verb, meaning to bring forth, lead out, or cause to come out. It is a command for the physical removal and exposure of the kings.
• those five kings (אֶת־חֲמֶשֶׁת֩ הַמְּלָכִ֜ים הָאֵ֗לֶּה - et-chamêsheth ha-m'lakhim ha'eileh): Refers to the rulers of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon (Josh 10:3), the main aggressors in the Amorite coalition. The number five is significant, representing the unified leadership now to be completely overthrown. Their status as "kings" underscores the depth of God's victory over the very embodiment of Canaanite authority.
• out to me (אֵלַ֣י - eilay): Directs the kings' delivery specifically to Joshua, who acts as God's representative in executing justice. This highlights Joshua's central role and authority in the process.
• from the cave (מִן־הַמְּעָרָֽה - min-ha-me'arah): Reinforces the location from which the kings are to be extracted, emphasizing that their hidden refuge offers no protection from God's judgment being carried out through Joshua.

Words-group analysis:

• "Open the mouth of the cave": This phrase evokes the unveiling of a secret place. It signifies the end of concealment and the beginning of exposure. Spiritually, it parallels how hidden sin or evil will eventually be brought to light. The cave, a place of hiding and darkness, is commanded to be opened by divine decree.
• "bring those five kings out to me from the cave": This command is about bringing power and authority (the kings) from their supposed sanctuary (the cave) into the realm of public judgment. The command emphasizes not just removal, but presentation before the human agent of God's justice, Joshua. The explicit mention of "five kings" and "to me" personalizes the act of judgment and its definitive nature.

Joshua 10 22 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "cave," me'arah, shares a root with 'arar, meaning "to curse." While not a direct etymological link indicating inherent curse, the context of the hiding place for kings destined for judgment carries a thematic resonance. The cave, meant as a sanctuary, became their trap, symbolizing the inescapable nature of God's curse and judgment on wickedness. Furthermore, this incident showcases Israel's absolute dependence on God's directives. Joshua's command to "bring them out" is not an act of vindictive revenge, but a direct fulfillment of God's explicit instructions for dispossessing the Canaanites and purifying the land. The public nature of this command and the subsequent judgment (vv. 23-27) was a ritualistic act of demonstrating the utter humiliation and impotence of the pagan rulers before the power of the Living God. It was a potent message to any who would still resist Israel's divine commission.

Joshua 10 22 Commentary

Joshua 10:22 marks a transition from military engagement to the execution of judgment, demonstrating God's ultimate sovereignty over the affairs of nations. The command to "open the mouth of the cave" reveals not only a physical act but carries profound symbolic weight: evil, however deeply concealed, cannot escape divine scrutiny and judgment. The kings' futile attempt to hide in a cave underscores the inability of human power to resist the will of the Almighty (Amos 9:1-3; Rev 6:15-16).

Joshua's unwavering authority, stemming from his direct commission by God (Josh 1:5-9), ensures that God's plan for the land of Canaan, including the dispossessing of its wicked inhabitants (Dt 7:1-6), is meticulously carried out. This moment serves as a clear theological statement: Yahweh, the God of Israel, is the true sovereign over all kingdoms, and their defiance leads to inescapable divine retribution. The unmasking and subsequent judgment of these kings in plain sight served as a powerful declaration to Israel and the remaining Canaanite peoples of Yahweh's unmatched power and righteousness.

This passage practically reminds believers that no sin or opposition to God remains perpetually hidden. In Christ, though we are under grace, the principle holds true that the darkness must ultimately yield to light (Eph 5:11-14). For example:

• A hidden sin within a community cannot indefinitely stay concealed; it will eventually be "brought out to the light" for confession and repentance.
• Secret acts of injustice or corruption will inevitably face exposure, either through natural consequences, human agency, or divine revelation.