Joshua 10:19

19 But don't you hang around - go after your enemies. Cut off their retreat. Don't let them back into their cities. God has given them to you."

Joshua 10:19 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 10:19

And stay you not, [but] pursue after your enemies
That is, do not stay at this cave, but having placed a sufficient guard there, go in pursuit of the enemy, with as much celerity as possible:

and smite the hindmost of them;
their rear; or "tail" them ^F15, as the word is, cut off the tail of them:

suffer them not to enter their cities;
where they would not only be safe themselves for a while, but would be able to hold out against a siege for some time, and give much trouble to conquer them:

for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hands;
this he said to encourage them, and quicken them to the pursuit of them with all eagerness and vehemence. According to the Samaritan Chronicle ^F16, the signal or watchword was,

``God is strong in battle, God is his name.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (Mtba) "caudam eorum caedite", Pagninus, Vatablus, Masius, Drusius; "et decaudetis eos", Montanus; "decaudabitis eos", Munster.
F16 Apud Hottinger. Smegma, p. 509.

Joshua 10:19 In-Context

17 Joshua was told, "The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah."

18 Joshua said, "Roll big stones against the mouth of the cave and post guards to keep watch.

19 But don't you hang around - go after your enemies. Cut off their retreat. Don't let them back into their cities. God has given them to you."

20 Joshua and the People of Israel then finished them off, total devastation. Only a few got away to the fortified towns.

21 The whole army then returned intact to the camp and to Joshua at Makkedah. There was no criticism that day from the People of Israel!