Joshua 10:21-31

21 And all the host turned again whole, and in whole number to Joshua, into Makkedah, where the tents were then; and no man was hardy to grouch against the sons of Israel (and no one was fool-hardy enough to grumble against the Israelites).

22 And Joshua commanded, and said, Open ye the mouth of the den (Open ye the mouth of the cave), and bring forth to me the five kings that be hid(den) therein.

23 And the servants did, as it was commanded to them; and they brought forth to Joshua the five kings from the den; the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

24 And when they were led out to Joshua, he called all the men of Israel, and said to the princes of the host, that were with him, Go ye, and set your feet on the necks of these kings. And when they had gone, and treaded the necks of the kings subject to their feet (And when they had come, and put their feet on the necks of those kings),

25 again Joshua said to Israel, Do not ye dread, neither be ye afeared, be ye comforted, and be ye strong; for so the Lord shall do to all your enemies, against which ye shall fight. (Joshua said to the people of Israel, Fear ye not, nor be ye afraid, but be ye encouraged, and be ye strong; for so shall the Lord do to all of your enemies, whom ye shall fight against.)

26 And Joshua smote those kings (And Joshua struck those kings), and killed them, and he hanged them (up) on five trees; and they were hanged unto the eventide.

27 And when the sun went down, he commanded to fellows, that they should put them down from the gibbets; and when they were put down, they casted forth them into the den, in which they were hid; and they putted great stones on the mouth thereof, which stones dwell till to [the] present time. (And when the sun went down, he commanded to his men, that they should take them down from the gallows, or the trees; and when they had taken them down, they threw them forth into the cave in which they were hidden; and they put great stones on the mouth of it, which stones remain there unto this present time.)

28 In the same day, Joshua took Makkedah, and smote by the sharpness of sword, and killed the king thereof, and all the dwellers thereof; he left not therein, namely, (any) little relics; and he did to the king of Makkedah, as he had done to the king of Jericho. (On the same day, Joshua took Makkedah, and struck it with the sharpness of their swords, and killed its king, and all of its inhabitants; he left nothing of value, or any remnant, there; and so he did to the king of Makkedah, as he had done to the king of Jericho.)

29 And Joshua passed (forth) with all Israel from Makkedah into Libnah, and he fought against it,

30 which city the Lord betook, with the king thereof, in the hand of Israel; and men of Israel smote that city by the sharpness of sword, and all the dwellers thereof, and they left not therein anything of value, or relics; and they did to the king of Libnah as they had done to the king of Jericho. (which city the Lord delivered, with its king, into the hands of the Israelites; and the men of Israel struck that city, and all its inhabitants, with the sharpness of their swords, and they left nothing of value, or any remnant, there; and so they did to the king of Libnah as they had done to the king of Jericho.)

31 From Libnah, Joshua passed (forth) with all Israel, into Lachish; and when the host was ordained by compass, he fought against it.

Joshua 10:21-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 10

This chapter treats of the combination of five kings against the Gibeonites, Jos 10:1-5; and of the application of the Gibeonites to Joshua, for assistance, in virtue of the league between them, which was granted, Jos 10:6-9; of the slaughter of the army by the kings of Israel, and chiefly by hailstones from heaven, Jos 10:10,11; and of the standing still of the sun, and of the moon, while vengeance was taken on them, Jos 10:12-14; and of the five kings being hid in a cave, and of the usage of them when taken, Jos 10:15-27; and of the taking of Makkedah, Libnah, Lachish, Eglon, Hebron, and Debir, Jos 10:28-39; which finished the conquest of the southern part of the land, Jos 10:40-43.