Joshua 10:17

17 And it was told to Joshua, that the five kings were found hid in the den of the city of Makkedah. (And Joshua was told that the five kings were found hiding in the cave of Makkedah.)

Joshua 10:17 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 10:17

And it was told Joshua
Either by some of his own people, or by some of the inhabitants of the land in his interest, who had observed it:

saying, the five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah:
this seems to make it appear that they were others, and not Joshua's soldiers, that found them; for had they, no doubt they would have seized them, and brought them before him, or slain them, unless they chose first to know his will concerning them, next expressed.

Joshua 10:17 In-Context

15 And Joshua turned again, with all Israel, into the tents of Gilgal. (And then Joshua, and all Israel, returned to their tents in Gilgal.)

16 For the five kings fled, and hid themselves in the den of the city of Makkedah. (But those five kings had escaped, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.)

17 And it was told to Joshua, that the five kings were found hid in the den of the city of Makkedah. (And Joshua was told that the five kings were found hiding in the cave of Makkedah.)

18 And Joshua commanded to fellows, and said, Wallow ye great stones to the mouth of the den, and put ye witting men, that shall keep the (en)closed kings; (And Joshua commanded to his men, and said, Roll ye some great stones to the mouth of the cave, and put ye some able men there who shall keep the kings enclosed;)

19 soothly do not ye stand, but pursue ye the enemies, and slay ye all the last of (the) fleers; and suffer ye not them to enter into the strongholds of their cities (and do not allow them to enter into the strongholds of their cities), the which enemies your Lord God hath betaken in(to) your hands.