Joshua 10:18

18 And Joshua saith, `Roll great stones unto the mouth of the cave, and appoint over it men to watch 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 And these five kings flee, and are hidden in a cave at Makkedah,

17 and it is declared to Joshua, saying, `The five kings have been found hidden in a cave at Makkedah.'

18 And Joshua saith, `Roll great stones unto the mouth of the cave, and appoint over it men to watch them;

19 and ye, stand not, pursue after your enemies, and ye have smitten the hindmost of them; suffer them not to go in unto their cities, for Jehovah your God hath given them into your hand.'

20 And it cometh to pass, when Joshua and the sons of Israel finish to smite them -- a very great smiting, till they are consumed, and the remnant who have remained of them go in unto the fenced cities,