Joshua 10:18

18 And Joshua said, "Roll great stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men by 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 These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makke'dah.

17 And it was told Joshua, "The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makke'dah."

18 And Joshua said, "Roll great stones against the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them;

19 but do not stay there yourselves, pursue your enemies, fall upon their rear, do not let them enter their cities; for the LORD your God has given them into your hand."

20 When Joshua and the men of Israel had finished slaying them with a very great slaughter, until they were wiped out, and when the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,