Joshua 10:24

24 When they had brought the kings to him, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the military 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.

Joshua 10:24 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 10:24

And it came to pass, when they brought out these kings unto
Joshua
And set them before him, and he had passed sentence on them:

that he called for all the men of Israel;
that is, for the chief men, the principal officers of the army:

and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him;
the chiliarchs and centurions, the captains of thousands and hundreds, of the several regiments in the army who went out to battle with him, and under him:

come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings;
not in a contemptuous and insulting manner, not through vanity and haughtiness, but for the mortification of the kings; and as a token of their extreme subjection, and as a proper punishment for their crimes of idolatry, tyranny, and cruelty; and by way of terror to others of the kings of Canaan that should fight against them, and as a pledge and confirmation of the subjection of the rest, as well as to fulfil the promises and predictions of God, ( Deuteronomy 33:29 ) ; and which was done not of himself, but by the order, and according to the will of God:

and they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them;
as Joshua ordered them, and in obedience to him their general.

Joshua 10:24 In-Context

22 Then Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings to me out of there."
23 That is what they did. They brought the five kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon to Joshua out of the cave.
24 When they had brought the kings to him, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the military 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 Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord will do this to all the enemies you fight."
26 After this, Joshua struck them down and executed them. He hung their bodies on five trees and they were there until evening.
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved.