Joshua 10:18

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Y'hoshua said, "Roll big stones to the mouth of the cave, and put men there to guard them.

Berean Standard Bible:

So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post men there to guard them.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Joshua^{H3091} said^{H559}, Roll^{H1556} great^{H1419} stones^{H68} upon the mouth^{H6310} of the cave^{H4631}, and set^{H6485} men^{H582} by it for to keep^{H8104} them:

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Joshua 10:18

Joshua 10:18 is a part of the narrative describing a significant battle in the conquest of Canaan by the Israelites under the leadership of Joshua. In this particular verse, Joshua commands his men to place large stones over the mouth of a cave where five Amorite kings had been hiding after their defeat in battle. Additionally, he instructs that guards be posted to ensure that the kings remain trapped inside.

The broader context of this verse is found in the aftermath of the famous battle where God causes the sun to stand still, allowing the Israelites to completely rout their enemies. The kings, having fled from the battlefield, sought refuge in the cave at Makkedah. Joshua's command to seal the cave with stones and to guard it reflects a common ancient practice of imprisoning or executing defeated leaders. It also serves a practical purpose, ensuring that the enemy leaders could not escape and reorganize their forces against the Israelites.

Themes present in this verse include divine intervention in battle, the importance of decisive action in warfare, and the fulfillment of God's promises to give the land of Canaan to the Israelites. The sealing of the cave underscores the theme of finality and closure to a significant military threat to Israel's occupation of the Promised Land. It also illustrates Joshua's role as a strong and obedient leader, following through on the commands of the Lord to secure victory and establish Israel in the land.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3091
   There are 199 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהוֹשׁוּעַ
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-shoo'-ah
   Description: or יְהוֹשֻׁעַ; from יְהֹוָה and יָשַׁע; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader; Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare הוֹשֵׁעַ, יֵשׁוּעַ.
   
2. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1556
   There are 18 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּלַל
   Transliteration: gâlal
   Pronunciation: gaw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root; to roll (literally or figuratively); commit, remove, roll (away, down, together), run down, seek occasion, trust, wallow.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1419
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּדוֹל
   Transliteration: gâdôwl
   Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
   Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very.
   
5. Strong's Number: H68
   There are 1276 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶבֶן
   Transliteration: ʼeben
   Pronunciation: eh'-ben
   Description: from the root of בָּנָה through the meaning to build; a stone; [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s).
   
6. Strong's Number: H6310
   There are 460 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פֶּה
   Transliteration: peh
   Pronunciation: peh
   Description: from פָּאָה; the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to; accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word.
   
7. Strong's Number: H4631
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְעָרָה
   Transliteration: mᵉʻârâh
   Pronunciation: meh-aw-raw'
   Description: from עוּר; a cavern (as dark); cave, den, hole.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6485
   There are 270 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּקַד
   Transliteration: pâqad
   Pronunciation: paw-kad'
   Description: a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.; appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want.
   
9. Strong's Number: H582
   There are 648 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱנוֹשׁ
   Transliteration: ʼĕnôwsh
   Pronunciation: en-oshe'
   Description: from אָנַשׁ; properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified אָדָם); hence,; a man in general (singly or collectively); another, [idiom] (blood-) thirsty, certain, chap(-man); divers, fellow, [idiom] in the flower of their age, husband, (certain, mortal) man, people, person, servant, some ([idiom] of them), [phrase] stranger, those, [phrase] their trade. It is often unexpressed in the English versions, especially when used in apposition with another word. Compare אִישׁ.
   
10. Strong's Number: H8104
    There are 440 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁמַר
    Transliteration: shâmar
    Pronunciation: shaw-mar'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc.; beward, be circumspect, take heed (to self), keep(-er, self), mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, save (self), sure, (that lay) wait (for), watch(-man).