Joshua 10 24

Joshua 10:24 kjv

And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

Joshua 10:24 nkjv

So it was, when they brought out those kings to Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the captains of the men of war who went with him, "Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings." And they drew near and put their feet on their necks.

Joshua 10:24 niv

When they had brought these kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had come with him, "Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings." So they came forward and placed their feet on their necks.

Joshua 10:24 esv

And when they brought those kings out to Joshua, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, "Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings." Then they came near and put their feet on their necks.

Joshua 10:24 nlt

When they brought them out, Joshua told the commanders of his army, "Come and put your feet on the kings' necks." And they did as they were told.

Joshua 10 verses

Joshua 10 24 Meaning

Joshua 10:24 describes a pivotal moment following a decisive victory, where Joshua commanded the leading Israelite captains to place their feet upon the necks of the five defeated Amorite kings. This public act served as a profound symbolic declaration of complete triumph, absolute dominion, and utter subjugation over the enemy leadership. It reinforced God's faithful fulfillment of His promises to Israel regarding the land and victory, while also providing a prophetic assurance of continued divine aid in subduing all their adversaries.

Joshua 10 24 Context

This verse occurs at a climactic point during Israel's initial conquest of Canaan, specifically after a major victory in the southern campaign. The battle described is against a formidable coalition of five Amorite kings, led by Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem, who attacked Gibeon for making a peace treaty with Israel. Upon Gibeon's urgent appeal, Joshua and the Israelite army swiftly marched from Gilgal. God intervened miraculously on behalf of Israel, not only discomfiting the Amorites but also sending large hailstones and causing the sun and moon to stand still to allow Israel a complete and thorough defeat of their enemies. The five kings fled and sought refuge in a cave at Makkedah, but were discovered and trapped there. Following this overwhelming victory, Joshua ordered them brought out. Joshua 10:24 describes the ceremonial, public act of dominance and humiliation exacted upon these defeated kings before their subsequent execution, serving as a powerful demonstration of God's power and faithfulness to His covenant promises before the entire nation of Israel. This event marked a crucial step in the territorial establishment of Israel and the clear message of divine judgment to all inhabitants of the land.

Joshua 10 24 Word analysis

• `And it came to pass`: This is the Hebrew conjunction wayehi (וַיְהִי), frequently used to introduce a significant new event or a change in the narrative's focus, indicating the unfolding of God's plan.
• `when they brought out those kings to Joshua`: Signifies the culmination of the pursuit and capture, bringing the previously powerful, now helpless, rulers directly before Israel's leader. This was a highly public spectacle intended for all to witness.
• `that Joshua called for all the men of Israel`: Emphasizes the collective witness and shared understanding of this monumental moment. The entire nation was meant to see and understand the meaning of this victory. It fostered corporate solidarity in God's triumph.
• `and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him`: Joshua, acting under divine authority, delegates the ceremonial act to his chief military leaders. These captains represented the entire fighting force and, by extension, all Israel, actively participating in the exercise of God's granted dominion.
• `Come near`: An imperative command (qeravu - קִרְב֛וּ), urging immediacy and direct, physical involvement in the act, signifying the captains' readiness and willingness to obey.
• `put your feet upon the necks of these kings`: This is the central symbolic act, conveying utter subjugation and victory.
  • `put your feet upon` (sim raglekhem al - שִׂים רַגְלֵיכֶם עַל): This phrase implies forcefully asserting authority and dominion, physically treading down an enemy. It embodies total control, conquest, and the complete stripping of power from the defeated. It speaks to absolute authority and submission.
  • `necks` (tza'warey - צַוָּארֵי): In the ancient Near East, the neck often symbolized a person's life, strength, and proud uprightness. Placing a foot on the neck signified crushing their vitality, dignity, and sovereignty, reducing them to utter subservience, bondage, or preparing them for death. It’s the ultimate gesture of contempt and conquest.
  • `these kings`: Represents not just individuals, but the entrenched political, military, and false religious authorities of the Canaanite inhabitants. Their defeat was a denigration of their power and their patron deities.
• `And they came near, and put their feet upon their necks`: This swift and immediate obedience highlights the captains' responsiveness to Joshua's command, demonstrating unity, active participation in the divine mandate, and the public fulfillment of the symbolic action. It underlines the real-world application of God's promised victory through the obedience of His people.

Joshua 10 24 Bonus section

This public ceremonial act was a crucial psychological and theological moment. It served as a powerful morale booster for the Israelites, visually confirming God's faithfulness and their covenant blessings. For the remaining Canaanite city-states, it functioned as a severe warning, demoralizing them and discouraging further resistance. The specific inclusion of the "captains" meant that key military leadership, representative of the entire army, directly participated in the physical act of dominion, ensuring collective understanding and buy-in for God's strategy. This event vividly illustrates the biblical principle of delegated authority, where God enables His people to implement His judgments and blessings on Earth, prefiguring the Church's future role in the ultimate victory against spiritual adversaries, as taught in the New Testament.

Joshua 10 24 Commentary

Joshua 10:24 encapsulates the spiritual and physical reality of Israel's conquest: God grants the victory, but humans participate in its manifestation. This act of placing feet on the necks of defeated kings was a universally understood Ancient Near Eastern symbol of complete subjugation, victory, and the humiliation of the vanquished. It was a potent object lesson for Israel, visually confirming that the God of Israel was mighty to save and deliver on His promises. It not only celebrated the immediate military triumph but also served as a powerful sign that God would put all Israel's enemies under their feet, fostering courage for future battles. Theologically, it asserts divine sovereignty and the judgment against idolatry. It points forward to the ultimate, complete victory of God over all opposing forces, epitomized in Christ's final triumph over sin, death, and Satan.