Joshua 10:16

KJV

But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.

KJV (with Strong's)

But these five {H2568} kings {H4428} fled {H5127}, and hid {H2244} themselves in a cave {H4631} at Makkedah {H4719}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But those five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah,

Berean Standard Bible

Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah.

American Standard Version

And these five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 10:16 narrates the immediate, desperate aftermath of Israel's decisive victory over the southern Canaanite kings, depicting the ignominious flight and concealment of the five defeated monarchs in a cave at Makkedah. This verse serves as a stark testament to their utter rout and the futility of human resistance against the sovereign power of God, setting the stage for their subsequent capture and public execution, which further demonstrates divine judgment and Israel's triumph.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the book of Joshua, immediately following the miraculous and overwhelming defeat of the Amorite confederacy by Israel. The preceding verses of [Joshua 10](/joshua/10 "Joshua 10 - The Great Victory at Gibeon") describe God's direct and dramatic intervention, including the supernatural hailstones and the unprecedented lengthening of the day, which enabled Israel to pursue and annihilate their enemies ([Joshua 10:10-14](/joshua/10-10-14 "Joshua 10:10-14 - God's Miraculous Aid in Battle")). The kings' desperate flight is the direct and inevitable consequence of this divine intervention and Israel's relentless pursuit, highlighting the completeness of their defeat. This entire military campaign was ignited by the Gibeonites' shrewd treaty with Israel ([Joshua 9:15](/joshua/9-15 "Joshua 9:15 - The Gibeonite Treaty")), which provoked the Amorite kings to attack Gibeon, thereby drawing Israel into a conflict orchestrated by divine providence.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the rugged terrain of ancient Canaan, caves were common natural features, frequently serving as shelters, burial sites, or, as vividly illustrated here, temporary hiding places during times of war. The five kings—from powerful city-states such as Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon ([Joshua 10:3](/joshua/10-3 "Joshua 10:3 - The Five Amorite Kings"))—had formed a formidable alliance, representing a desperate, united front to halt Israel's advance into the Promised Land. Their flight to a cave, rather than retreating to their fortified cities, underscores the swiftness and totality of their defeat, indicating they had no time to reach their strongholds. Makkedah itself was a Canaanite royal city, likely possessing such natural formations in its vicinity, making it a logical, albeit ultimately futile, refuge for the fleeing monarchs.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 10:16 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. It vividly illustrates **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating unequivocally that no human power, alliance, or hiding place can thwart God's purposes or escape His righteous judgment upon the wicked inhabitants of Canaan. The kings' desperate act highlights the **Futility of Resistance** against the God of Israel, reinforcing the profound message that God Himself fights for His people ([Joshua 10:14](/joshua/10-14 "Joshua 10:14 - The Lord Fought for Israel")). Furthermore, it underscores the theme of **Israel's Inheritance and God's Faithfulness** to His covenant promises, as the land is progressively subdued through overwhelming divine power. The humiliation and eventual capture of these once-powerful rulers serve as a stark example of the **Consequences of Opposition** to God's redemptive plan for His chosen people and the land He promised.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Fled (Hebrew, _nûwç'_):** This verb (H5127) signifies a hurried, desperate escape, often indicative of panic, terror, and a complete rout. It portrays the kings not as strategic retreaters, but as individuals in a state of utter disarray, abandoning their armies and responsibilities in a frantic bid for self-preservation. This emphasizes the chaotic and complete nature of their defeat at the hands of Israel, empowered by God.
* **Hid themselves (Hebrew, _châbâʼ'_):** This word (H2244) implies seeking deep concealment, often out of shame, fear, or guilt. It suggests a deliberate, furtive act of seeking refuge from relentless pursuers, but also a profound sense of humiliation for rulers who were accustomed to commanding vast armies, now reduced to cowering in the dark confines of a cave. This act is an admission of utter defeat and vulnerability.
* **Cave (Hebrew, _mᵉʻârâh'_):** While a common natural feature (H4631), in this specific context, the "cave" takes on significant symbolic weight. It represents a temporary and ultimately futile refuge, a place of darkness and concealment that offers no true escape from divine judgment or the relentless pursuit of God's people. It underscores the kings' desperate situation and the inadequacy of any human attempt to evade God's reach.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But these five kings fled":** This initial clause immediately shifts the narrative's focus from the general rout of the Amorite armies to the specific, ignominious fate of their instigating leaders. The conjunction "but" signals a dramatic transition, emphasizing the personal desperation of these monarchs and the immediate aftermath of their military collapse. Their flight underscores the completeness of their defeat and the swiftness of Israel's pursuit, driven by divine empowerment.
* **"and hid themselves":** This phrase elaborates on the nature of their flight, indicating a deliberate, desperate attempt at concealment. It highlights their profound fear and vulnerability, as powerful kings are reduced to seeking a clandestine refuge, a stark and humiliating contrast to their former positions of authority and open leadership. This act of hiding is a clear admission of utter defeat and a desperate attempt to evade capture.
* **"in a cave at Makkedah":** This specifies the precise geographical location of their concealment, grounding the narrative in a particular, identifiable setting. The "cave" serves as their chosen, yet ultimately inadequate, sanctuary. Makkedah, a Canaanite royal city, was likely known for such natural formations in its vicinity, making it a plausible, though ultimately temporary and treacherous, place for them to seek refuge from the pursuing Israelite forces.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Irony** is prominently featured, as these five powerful kings, who had united their forces to crush Gibeon and challenge the God of Israel, are reduced to ignominious hiding in a dark, confined cave. This stark contrast between their former pomp and authority and their current desperate state powerfully underscores the futility of their resistance. The **Symbolism** of the cave is also highly significant; it represents a temporary, false refuge, a place of darkness and concealment that ultimately offers no true escape from divine judgment. Far from being a haven, the cave becomes a literal trap, foreshadowing their impending capture and execution. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Contrast** between the kings' initial arrogance and their final desperate, cowering state, highlighting the swift, decisive, and overwhelming nature of God's judgment and Israel's victory.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 10:16 profoundly illustrates the theological truth that no human power, however great or seemingly insurmountable, can ultimately stand against the sovereign will and righteous judgment of God. The desperate flight and ignominious hiding of these kings underscore the absolute futility of resisting divine purpose and the certainty of God's hand in executing justice upon those who oppose His plans. Their temporary refuge in the cave is a powerful metaphor for the impossibility of escaping God's omnipresence and the inevitable consequences of rebellion. This event serves as a foundational narrative demonstrating God's active, direct involvement in history, ensuring the triumph of His people and the faithful fulfillment of His covenant promises. It is a testament to the unwavering truth that God's plan for His people and His land will be accomplished, regardless of the strength, alliances, or cunning of their adversaries.

* [Psalm 139:7-12](/psalms/139-7-12 "Psalm 139:7-12 - God's Omnipresence and Inescapable Presence")
* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom, No Understanding, No Counsel Against the Lord")
* [Revelation 6:15-17](/revelation/6-15-17 "Revelation 6:15-17 - Kings Hiding from Divine Wrath")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vivid scene of these powerful kings cowering in a cave offers a profound reflection for believers today. It serves as a powerful and enduring reminder that there is no hiding place from the sovereign gaze, ultimate justice, and inescapable presence of God. Whether we attempt to conceal our sins, evade accountability for our actions, or resist God's clear calling and purposes in our lives, the truth remains that all things are laid bare before Him. This should instill both a healthy, reverent fear of the Lord and immense comfort. It is comforting to know that God is ultimately in control, that evil will not triumph, and that those who oppose His righteous purposes will ultimately fail. This passage challenges us to live in transparency, humility, and willing submission to God's perfect will, trusting that His plans for us and for the world will prevail, even when circumstances seem overwhelmingly chaotic or unjust.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the futility of the kings' hiding place inform our understanding of contemporary attempts to escape accountability or God's will in our modern world?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be tempted to "hide" from God's loving discipline, His challenging truth, or His specific calling?**
* **How does the certainty of God's ultimate triumph and the defeat of His enemies, as vividly seen in this passage, encourage you in the face of seemingly overwhelming opposition or persistent injustice in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Why did the kings hide in a cave specifically?**

Answer: Caves were common natural shelters in the rugged, mountainous terrain of Canaan, offering immediate and effective concealment from pursuing armies. For defeated kings, a cave would have been a desperate, last-resort option for immediate refuge when their fortified cities were inaccessible, too distant, or already compromised. It was a practical, albeit temporary and ultimately futile, solution to evade immediate capture after a devastating rout.

**What was the significance of Makkedah in this narrative?**

Answer: Makkedah was a Canaanite royal city, and its proximity to the battleground made it a logical, if desperate, place for the kings to seek refuge. The fact that they were found and trapped in a cave "at Makkedah" underscores that even within the territory of an allied city, they could find no true safety or escape, highlighting the thoroughness of Israel's pursuit and the inescapable nature of God's judgment. Its mention ties the narrative to a specific, identifiable location, adding to the historical veracity and concrete nature of the account.

**Does this event have any prophetic significance?**

Answer: While not a direct prophecy of a future event in the predictive sense, Joshua 10:16 serves as a powerful typological illustration and a recurring biblical motif. The desperate attempt of the kings to hide from judgment foreshadows the ultimate futility of all human rebellion against God and the certainty of divine judgment upon all who oppose His righteous rule. This theme is powerfully echoed in New Testament passages, such as [Revelation 6:15-17](/revelation/6-15-17 "Revelation 6:15-17 - Kings and Great Men Hiding from the Lamb's Wrath"), where kings, mighty men, and powerful figures likewise seek to hide themselves in caves and among the rocks of the mountains from the wrath of God and the Lamb, demonstrating that no one can ultimately escape the final reckoning.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ignominious flight and futile hiding of the five Amorite kings in a cave at Makkedah powerfully foreshadow the ultimate defeat of all spiritual powers and earthly authorities that oppose God's kingdom and His Christ. Just as these earthly rulers, symbols of power, pride, and resistance, found no lasting refuge from God's judgment executed through Joshua, so too will all principalities, powers, and dominions ultimately be vanquished by the true King, Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals that Christ, through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, has triumphed decisively over every hostile force, disarming them and making a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The desperate kings hiding in a cave symbolize the futile attempts of sin, death, and the devil to conceal their defeated state from the victorious Son of God. There is no "cave" deep enough to hide from the resurrected Lord, who holds the keys of death and Hades ([Revelation 1:18](/revelation/1-18 "Revelation 1:18 - Christ Holds the Keys of Death and Hades")), and who will one day judge the living and the dead ([2 Timothy 4:1](/2_timothy/4-1 "2 Timothy 4:1 - Christ Will Judge the Living and the Dead")). For humanity, the ultimate "hiding place" is not a cave of desperation, but the secure and eternal refuge found in Christ, who offers true safety, peace, and eternal life to all who believe in Him, having overcome the world's tribulation ([John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Christ Has Overcome the World")) and delivered us from the power of darkness into His marvelous light ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness into God's Kingdom")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Micah 7:17

They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.

1 Samuel 13:6

When the men of Israel saw that they were in a strait, (for the people were distressed,) then the people did hide themselves in caves, and in thickets, and in rocks, and in high places, and in pits.

Revelation 6:15

And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

Isaiah 2:10

¶ Enter into the rock, and hide thee in the dust, for fear of the LORD, and for the glory of his majesty.

Isaiah 2:12

For the day of the LORD of hosts [shall be] upon every [one that is] proud and lofty, and upon every [one that is] lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Amos 9:2

Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

1 Samuel 24:3

And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where [was] a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave.