Joshua 10:26

26 After this, Joshua struck them down and executed them. He hung^[a] their bodies on five trees^[b] and they were there until evening.

Joshua 10:26 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 10:26

And afterwards Joshua smote them and slew them
With the sword; either by his own hands, or by others whom he ordered to slay them:

and hanged them on five trees;
to their shame and disgrace, and the terror of others:

and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening;
by way of contempt of them, and as a spectacle of terror to others, especially to the inhabitants of Makkedah, and their king they were now besieging.

Joshua 10:26 In-Context

24 When they had brought the kings to him, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the military commanders who had accompanied him, "Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings." So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.

25 Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord will do this to all the enemies you fight."

26 After this, Joshua struck them down and executed them. He hung their bodies on five trees and they were there until evening.

27 At sunset Joshua commanded that they be taken down from the treesand thrown into the cave where they had hidden. Then large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are there to this day.

28 On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and struck it down with the sword, including its king. He completely destroyed it and everyone in it, leaving no survivors. So he treated the king of Makkedah as he had the king of Jericho.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or impaled
• [b]. Or wooden stakes