Joshua 10:21

21 The people returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. No one could say a thing^[a] against the Israelites.

Joshua 10:21 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 10:21

And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah
in peace
Sound and well, as not one killed or missing, so not one wounded, as the Vulgate Latin version,

``sound and in full number:''

none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel;
as to curse them, reproach them, and speak ill of them, for invading them, and using them in the manner they did, such was the terror that was upon them. It may be supplied, "not a dog moved" his tongue, as in ( Exodus 11:7 ) ; as it was with them when they came out of Egypt, so it was when they entered the land of Canaan. It seems to be a proverbial expression, as Ben Gersom observes, signifying that no harm was done to them by word or deed.

Joshua 10:21 In-Context

19 But as for the rest of you, don't stay there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Don't let them enter their cities, for the Lord your God has handed them over to you."

20 So Joshua and the Israelites finished inflicting a terrible slaughter on them until they were destroyed, although a few survivors ran away to the fortified cities.

21 The people returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah. No one could say a thing against the Israelites.

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.

Footnotes

• [a] Lit No one sharpened his tongue