Joshua 10:22

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then Y'hoshua said, "Open up the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings out of the cave to me.

Berean Standard Bible:

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

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then said^{H559} Joshua^{H3091}, Open^{H6605} the mouth^{H6310} of the cave^{H4631}, and bring out^{H3318} those five^{H2568} kings^{H4428} unto me out of the cave^{H4631}.

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Commentary for Joshua 10:22

Joshua 10:22 is set within the broader context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan, a significant event in the historical and theological narrative of the Hebrew Bible. The verse occurs during a battle where the Southern Canaanite coalition, led by the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon, has been defeated by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. This coalition had formed to resist the Israelite invasion, which was part of the divinely sanctioned mission to take possession of the Promised Land.

In the immediate context, Joshua 10:22 describes a specific command given by Joshua following the routing of the enemy forces. The five kings, having fled from the battle, had hidden themselves in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua orders his men to open the cave and bring these kings to him. This action serves multiple purposes: it symbolizes the complete victory over the enemy, as even the leaders are captured; it demonstrates Joshua's authority and the obedience of his troops; and it sets the stage for the subsequent execution of these kings, which is an act of judicial finality signifying the end of the opposition's rule and the establishment of Israelite dominion in the land.

Theologically, this verse underscores the theme of divine assistance in battle, as the Israelite victory is attributed to God's intervention, including the miraculous prolonging of daylight to allow the Israelites to complete their pursuit (Joshua 10:12-14). It also reflects the theme of holy war, where the destruction of the enemy is seen as an act of obedience to God's command to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan. The capture and execution of the kings can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promises to give the land to the Israelites and to deliver their enemies into their hands.

In summary, Joshua 10:22 encapsulates the themes of divine assistance, holy war, and the fulfillment of divine promises within the historical context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. It highlights Joshua's leadership and the military success that is central to the book's narrative, as well as the theological assertion that the victory belongs to the Lord, who is fighting for Israel.

*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: 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.
   
2. 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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6605
   There are 133 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּתַח
   Transliteration: pâthach
   Pronunciation: paw-thakh'
   Description: a primitive root; to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve; appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent.
   
4. 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3318
   There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָצָא
   Transliteration: yâtsâʼ
   Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw'
   Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
   
7. Strong's Number: H2568
   There are 273 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָמֵשׁ
   Transliteration: châmêsh
   Pronunciation: khaw-maysh'
   Description: masculine חֲמִשָּׁה; a primitive numeral; five; fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece).
   
8. Strong's Number: H4428
   There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
   Transliteration: melek
   Pronunciation: meh'-lek
   Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal.