Joshua 10:16-28 | The Way of Scripture

Joshua 10:16-28

What do the five kings’ defeat and execution communicate?

Berean Standard Bible

16 Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. 17 And Joshua was informed: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.” 18 So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post men there to guard them. 19 But you, do not stop there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Do not let them reach their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.” 20 So Joshua and the Israelites continued to inflict a terrible slaughter until they had finished them off, and the remaining survivors retreated to the fortified cities. 21 The whole army returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one dared to utter a word against the Israelites. 22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.” 23 So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. 24 When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks. 25 “Do not be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua said. “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD will do this to all the enemies you fight.” 26 After this, Joshua struck down and killed the kings, and he hung their bodies on five trees and left them there until evening. 27 At sunset Joshua ordered that they be taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave in which they had hidden. Then large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are there to this day. 28 On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword, along with its king. He devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. So he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.

What is the context?

The five kings hide in a cave at Makkedah. Joshua has it sealed and guarded while the pursuit continues, then brings the captives out before the army.

The commanders put their feet on the kings’ necks, and Joshua tells them to be strong and courageous in view of the Lord’s promised victory over their enemies. The scene publicly portrays the defeat of the opposing rulers.

Joshua kills the kings and displays their bodies on trees until evening. At sunset the bodies are put in the cave, which is sealed with stones. Makkedah and its king are then destroyed, with no survivors left in the city.

The humiliation and killing are part of this ancient conquest account. They are not instructions for readers to degrade captives or kill opponents in the name of faith.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley reads the foot-on-neck act as an assurance of victory to the commanders. The USCCB cross-references connect the sunset removal with the earlier king of Ai and Deuteronomy’s rule about an exposed body. The text’s stated sequence should be retained without adding unrecorded motives for every act or treating the cave’s present location as known.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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