Joshua 10:18

18 Joshua replied, "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post a guard there.

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 The five kings ran away and hid in the cave at Makkedah.

17 Someone told Joshua, "The five kings have been found. They are hiding in the cave at Makkedah."

18 Joshua replied, "Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post a guard there.

19 But don't stop. Chase your enemies! Cut off their rear guard. Don't let them get back into their own cities, because the LORD your God has handed them over to you."

20 Joshua and the Israelites defeated them decisively, almost destroying them. But some who survived got back into the fortified cities.