Joshua 10:18

18 And Joshua said, "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men in front of it to guard them.

Joshua 10:18 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 10:18

And Joshua said, roll great stones upon the mouth of the
cave
To keep the kings in, that they might not make their escape, until he had convenient time to have them brought before him, and be treated by him as they deserved; and no doubt there were plenty of stones about the hill or mountain, in which this cave was, fit for this purpose:

and set men by it for to keep them;
as a guard upon them, to prevent their escape.

Joshua 10:18 In-Context

16 But these five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.

17 And it was told to Joshua, saying, "The five kings were found hidden in the cave at Makkedah."

18 And Joshua said, "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men in front of it to guard them.

19 But do not stay [there]; pursue after your enemies and attack them from the rear. Do not allow them to go into their cities, for Yahweh your God has given them into your hand."

20 When Joshua and the {Israelites} had finished striking them [with] a very great blow, until they perished, {those of them who survived} went into the fortified cities,