Joshua 10:18

18 Joshua said, Roll great stones to the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to keep 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 These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.

17 It was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.

18 Joshua said, Roll great stones to the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to keep them:

19 but don't stay; pursue after your enemies, and strike the hindmost of them; don't allow them to enter into their cities: for Yahweh your God has delivered them into your hand.

20 It happened, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of killing them with a very great slaughter, until they were consumed, and the remnant which remained of them had entered into the fortified cities,