Joshua 10:18

18 Joshua said, "Roll large 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 Meanwhile, these five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.

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

18 Joshua said, "Roll large 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, and attack them from the rear. Do not let them enter their towns, for the Lord your God has given them into your hand."

20 When Joshua and the Israelites had finished inflicting a very great slaughter on them, until they were wiped out, and when the survivors had entered into the fortified towns,