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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 10:22 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's southern campaign, where Joshua commands the retrieval of the five Amorite kings—leaders of the coalition defeated at Gibeon—from the cave at Makkedah where they had sought refuge. This verse signals the conclusion of the immediate pursuit of the enemy forces and the commencement of the decisive judgment upon the captured rulers, underscoring God's active role in delivering Israel's enemies into their hands and consolidating the miraculous victory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 10:22 is situated within the dramatic narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan, specifically following the miraculous victory over a formidable coalition of five Amorite kings (of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon). These kings had united to attack Gibeon, which had made a peace treaty with Israel. God intervened decisively on Israel's behalf, sending large hailstones to destroy the enemy and miraculously causing the [sun and moon to stand still](/joshua/10-13 "Joshua 10:13 - The Sun Stands Still") at Joshua's command, extending the daylight for Israel to complete their rout. The five kings, in their desperation, fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua, aware of their hiding place, had initially ordered the cave sealed with large stones while the pursuit of the remaining enemy forces continued ([Joshua 10:18](/joshua/10-18 "Joshua 10:18 - Sealing the Cave")). This verse, therefore, signifies the completion of the general military engagement and the turning of Joshua's attention to the captured enemy leaders, setting the stage for their public humiliation and execution, as detailed in the subsequent verses ([Joshua 10:24-27](/joshua/10-24 "Joshua 10:24-27 - Humiliation and Execution of the Kings")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the late Bronze Age in Canaan, a period characterized by city-states and regional alliances. The Amorites were a prominent Semitic people group, often mentioned as inhabitants of Canaan, known for their fortified cities and military prowess. Caves, abundant in the limestone hills of Judah, served as natural shelters and common hiding places in times of conflict, as seen elsewhere in biblical narratives (e.g., [1 Samuel 22:1](/1_samuel/22-1 "1 Samuel 22:1 - David in the Cave of Adullam")). The treatment of defeated kings in the ancient Near East often involved public humiliation, execution, and display of their bodies as a powerful demonstration of victory and a deterrent to future resistance. This practice, while harsh by modern standards, was a common military and political statement of total subjugation and the transfer of power, aligning with the broader divine command for Israel to dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, illustrating God's active role in fighting for Israel and delivering their enemies into their hands. The kings' attempt to hide proves futile against God's determined judgment, emphasizing the inescapable nature of divine justice. It also highlights the **Fulfillment of God's Promises**, as the capture and impending judgment of these powerful Amorite kings signify the progressive realization of God's covenant pledge to Abraham to give Israel the land of Canaan and subdue its inhabitants before them ([Genesis 15:18-21](/genesis/15-18 "Genesis 15:18-21 - The Covenant with Abraham")). Furthermore, it underscores **Joshua's Obedient and Decisive Leadership**, as he acts with authority and precision, carrying out God's will to the letter. His command demonstrates firm control and commitment to completing the divinely appointed task, leaving no major enemy threat unaddressed. Finally, the fate of these kings serves as a stark reminder of the **Consequences of Resistance** against the sovereign will of God and His chosen people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Open (Hebrew, _pithu'_):** This is a Piel imperative plural verb, conveying a direct, authoritative, and immediate command. The Piel stem often denotes intensive or causative action, emphasizing the decisive and forceful nature of Joshua's order to his men. It signifies that the action is to be carried out without delay or question, reflecting the urgency of dealing with the captured enemy leaders.
* **Mouth (Hebrew, _pi'_):** While literally meaning "mouth," this term is a common idiom in Hebrew for an opening or entrance of various objects, including a well, a sword, or in this case, a cave. Its use here vividly personifies the cave, portraying its entrance as a gaping aperture, making the command to "open its mouth" a forceful and visual image of exposing what was hidden.
* **Cave (Hebrew, _me'arah'_):** This term refers to a natural cavern or grotto. In the context of ancient warfare and daily life in the Levant, caves often served as places of refuge, storage, or burial. Here, it initially serves as a hiding place for the kings, but under God's sovereign hand and Joshua's command, it transforms from a sanctuary into a trap and a place of inevitable judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then said Joshua":** This phrase establishes Joshua's authority as the divinely appointed leader of Israel. It signifies a shift in focus from the general pursuit of the enemy to the specific task of dealing with the captured kings, demonstrating his strategic command and decisive leadership in the aftermath of the battle.
* **"Open the mouth of the cave":** This is Joshua's direct, imperative command to his soldiers. The idiom "mouth of the cave" refers to its entrance, emphasizing the physical act of removing the stones that sealed it. This command is not merely practical; it symbolizes the exposure of hidden evil and the inevitability of divine judgment, as the kings' attempt to conceal themselves is now undone.
* **"and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave":** This clause specifies the objective of the command: to retrieve the five Amorite kings. It highlights their complete capture and subjugation. The phrase "unto me" underscores Joshua's central role in administering justice and executing God's will, as he is the one who will oversee their public humiliation and subsequent execution, solidifying Israel's victory and God's faithfulness.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 10:22 employs several literary devices to enhance its narrative impact and thematic depth. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the cave, which the kings intended as a sanctuary and hiding place, becomes their inescapable prison and the site from which they are brought forth for judgment. This reversal of expectation powerfully underscores the futility of resisting God's sovereign will. **Metonymy** or a form of **Personification** is evident in the phrase "mouth of the cave," which attributes a human anatomical feature to an inanimate object. This vivid imagery makes the cave's entrance more immediate and palpable, emphasizing the act of opening it to expose the hidden. The entire verse is structured as a **Command** or **Imperative**, reflecting the direct and authoritative nature of Joshua's leadership. The straightforwardness of his speech ("Then said Joshua, Open... and bring...") conveys a sense of urgency, decisiveness, and non-negotiable action, reinforcing the theme of divine judgment being carried out without delay. Furthermore, this action serves as **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the public humiliation and execution of the kings in the subsequent verses, symbolizing the complete subjugation of Israel's enemies and the triumph of God's covenant promises.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 10:22 serves as a profound theological statement on divine justice and the inevitability of judgment for those who oppose God and His people. The kings' futile attempt to hide in the cave illustrates that there is no refuge from the sovereign hand of God when His judgment is due. This event underscores God's active involvement in human history, fulfilling His promises to Israel by dispossessing the wicked inhabitants of Canaan. It demonstrates that God is not merely a passive observer but a righteous judge who executes justice against those who defy His will. The exposure and capture of these kings symbolize the ultimate triumph of light over darkness, truth over deception, and God's kingdom over all earthly powers that stand against it.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-2](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-2 - Command to Destroy Nations")
* [Psalm 9:16](/psalms/9-16 "Psalm 9:16 - The Lord is Known by His Justice")
* [Romans 2:5-6](/romans/2-5 "Romans 2:5-6 - God's Righteous Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 10:22 offers timeless lessons for believers today. Spiritually, the "cave" can represent any area in our lives where we might try to hide sin, unaddressed issues, or spiritual enemies from God's scrutiny. Just as the Amorite kings were brought out to face judgment, so too will all hidden things eventually be exposed before the light of God's truth. This verse encourages us to confront our spiritual battles decisively, not allowing sin or temptation to remain hidden or unaddressed. It reminds us that no enemy, no matter how powerful or seemingly entrenched, can ultimately escape God's justice or thwart His purposes. For believers, this narrative instills confidence in God's faithfulness and power to deliver us from our spiritual adversaries. It calls us to walk in obedience, trusting that the Lord fights our battles and will ultimately grant victory over all that opposes His kingdom. The decisive action of Joshua inspires us to be equally decisive in our pursuit of holiness and in casting down spiritual strongholds in our lives, knowing that our ultimate victory is secured in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "caves" or hidden areas in my life might I be using to conceal sin, fear, or unaddressed issues from God's scrutiny?**
* **How does Joshua's decisive command to "bring out those kings" encourage me to take immediate and firm action against spiritual strongholds or temptations in my own life?**
* **In what ways does the ultimate judgment of these kings assure me of God's justice and His ultimate triumph over all evil and opposition?**

### FAQ
**Why were the kings hidden in a cave?**

Answer: Caves were common natural formations in the rocky terrain of Canaan and frequently used as temporary shelters or hiding places during times of conflict. The five Amorite kings fled to the cave at Makkedah as a desperate attempt to escape capture and the wrath of the pursuing Israelite army after their decisive defeat. However, what they hoped would be a sanctuary ultimately became their trap and the site of their inevitable exposure and judgment.

**What happened to the kings after they were brought out of the cave?**

Answer: After being brought out, Joshua commanded his commanders to place their feet on the necks of the kings, symbolizing complete subjugation and victory ([Joshua 10:24](/joshua/10-24 "Joshua 10:24 - Feet on the Kings' Necks")). Following this act of public humiliation, Joshua executed the kings and hung their bodies on five trees, leaving them exposed until evening as a public display of God's judgment and Israel's triumph. Their bodies were then taken down at sunset and thrown back into the same cave where they had hidden ([Joshua 10:26-27](/joshua/10-26 "Joshua 10:26-27 - Execution and Burial of the Kings")).

**What is the significance of "opening the mouth of the cave"?**

Answer: The phrase "mouth of the cave" is an idiomatic expression for the entrance or opening of the cave. Its significance lies in the symbolic act of exposing what was hidden and bringing it into the light for judgment. It underscores the futility of attempting to escape God's reach or hide from His justice. No matter how deep or concealed a place might be, God's sovereign will ensures that all opposition will eventually be uncovered and dealt with. It represents the inevitable triumph of divine power over human resistance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua's command to "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings" serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate victory over all the powers of darkness. Just as Joshua, whose name is the Hebrew equivalent of "Jesus," decisively exposed and conquered the enemies of Israel, so too does Christ, the true Joshua, expose and conquer the ultimate enemies of humanity: sin, death, and the spiritual forces of evil. The kings' hiding in the cave, only to be dragged out for judgment, parallels the futility of any power attempting to hide from the sovereign gaze and authority of the Son of God. Christ's resurrection from the tomb, the ultimate "opening of the cave," signifies His triumph over death and the grave, demonstrating His absolute authority over all that seeks to imprison humanity ([Matthew 28:2](/matthew/28-2 "Matthew 28:2 - The Angel Rolls Away the Stone")). He is the one who has "disarmed the powers and authorities" and "made 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")). Ultimately, all "kings" and authorities that oppose God's reign will be brought forth and subjected to His righteous judgment, for He "must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet" ([1 Corinthians 15:25](/1_corinthians/15-25 "1 Corinthians 15:25 - Christ Must Reign")). Thus, Joshua 10:22 points to the glorious reality that in Christ, every hidden stronghold of evil will be exposed, every enemy defeated, and His kingdom will reign supreme.

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

1 Samuel 15:32

¶ Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.