Capture and Execution of the Five Kings
Joshua 10:16-28
Jos.10.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וינסו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- חמשת: NUM,card,construct
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ויחבאו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- במערה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- במקדה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 13:6 (verbal): Describes Israelites hiding “in caves, thickets, rocks, holes, and cisterns” — a similar verbal/imagery cluster of people taking refuge in caves during crisis.
- 1 Samuel 22:1-2 (thematic): David flees to the cave of Adullam where those in distress and fugitives gather — thematic parallel of fugitives/kings seeking refuge in a cave.
- 1 Samuel 24:3 (verbal): David hides in the cave of Engedi while pursued by Saul — another specific instance of concealment in a cave during pursuit.
- Revelation 6:15-17 (allusion): Eschatological scene in which kings and the great hide in caves and among rocks from divine wrath — echoes the motif of rulers hiding in caves.
- Joshua 10:24 (structural): Immediate narrative follow-up: the five kings are brought out of the cave and detained — a direct structural continuation of the same incident.
Alternative generated candidates
- These five kings fled and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
- These five kings fled and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
Jos.10.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ליהושע: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- נמצאו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,pl
- חמשת: NUM,card,construct
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- נחבאים: VERB,niphal,ptc,NA,m,pl
- במערה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- במקדה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 10:22 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation—Joshua orders the cave opened after being told the five kings were found hidden there.
- Joshua 10:23 (verbal): Reports the men of Israel bringing the five kings out of the cave—directly follows and repeats the action implied in 10:17.
- Joshua 10:26 (structural): Describes Joshua’s treatment of the captured kings (binding and execution), showing the outcome of their discovery in the cave.
- 1 Samuel 24:3–4 (thematic): Parallel motif of a prominent enemy/leader encountered in a cave—Saul unexpectedly enters a cave where David and his men are hiding; similar setting of a leader and a cave, though with a different outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it was told Joshua, saying, “The five kings are found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.”
- It was told Joshua, saying, “The five kings have been found hidden in a cave at Makkedah.”
Jos.10.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גלו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדלות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- אל: NEG
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- המערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והפקידו: VERB,hifil,perf,3,pl
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לשמרם: PREP+VERB,qal,inf,3,pl
Parallels
- Matthew 27:62-66 (thematic): Chief priests obtain Pilate's permission to secure Jesus' tomb: they seal the stone and post a guard—parallels Joshua's sealing/rolling of stones over the cave mouth and stationing men to keep watch.
- Mark 16:3-4 (verbal): Women come to the tomb and find 'the stone rolled away' (Greek: rolled) — verbal parallel with Joshua's command to 'roll large stones' over the cave entrance.
- Luke 24:2 (structural): The women find the stone at the tomb rolled away; structurally parallels the motif of an entrance blocked by a stone that later is found displaced.
- John 20:1-3 (structural): Mary (and the disciples) find the stone removed from Jesus' tomb; the scene echoes the narrative element of a stone-sealed entrance and the guarding/inspection that follows Joshua's ordering of stones and watchers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Joshua said, “Roll great stones to the mouth of the cave, and set men there to guard them.”
- Joshua said, “Roll great stones to the mouth of the cave, and set men there to guard them.”
Jos.10.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתם: CONJ+PRON,2,pl
- אל: NEG
- תעמדו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- רדפו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אחרי: PREP
- איביכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,pl,m
- וזנבתם: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- אל: NEG
- תתנום: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- לבוא: VERB,qal,inf
- אל: NEG
- עריהם: NOUN,f,pl,poss:3mp
- כי: CONJ
- נתנם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg,prsuf,3,m,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- בידכם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 10:8 (verbal): Immediate context: God tells Joshua “I have delivered them into your hand; there shall not a man of them stand before you,” echoing the same language and the command not to press after the enemy.
- Joshua 8:1 (verbal): God’s promise concerning Ai—“See, I have given into your hand Ai and its king”—uses the same motif of the LORD giving a city/people into Israel’s hand after a victory.
- 1 Samuel 17:46–47 (verbal): David’s declaration that the LORD will deliver Goliath into his hand mirrors the formula of victory as God’s gift into an individual’s/people’s hand rather than merely human achievement.
- 2 Chronicles 20:15 (thematic): Jehoshaphat is told ‘the battle is not yours but God’s,’ and the LORD causes the enemies to destroy one another so Israel need not fight/pursue—thematic parallel to refraining from pursuit because God has acted.
- Psalm 44:3 (thematic): Affirms that possession of the land and victory come by God’s hand, not by human swords or pursuits—underscoring the theological basis for Joshua’s command not to press into the cities.
Alternative generated candidates
- “But you, do not stand still; pursue your enemies, strike their rear, and do not allow them to enter their cities; for the LORD your God has given them into your hand.”
- “Do not remain here; pursue your enemies and strike at their rear. Do not allow them to come into their cities, for the LORD your God has given them into your hand.”
Jos.10.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ככלות: PREP+INFN,qal,inf
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להכותם: VERB,qal,infc,3,m,pl
- מכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גדולה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- מאד: ADV
- עד: PREP
- תמם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- והשרידים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- שרדו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- המבצר: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 11:11 (structural): Parallel conquest-summary language—Joshua 'took' cities and 'utterly destroyed' the inhabitants, leaving none that breathed; structurally mirrors the report of complete defeat and survivors fleeing to fortified cities.
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Uses similar vocabulary of total destruction ('utterly destroyed; all that was in it, both man and woman, young and old'), reflecting the same motif of complete annihilation in conquest narratives.
- Judges 1:8 (thematic): Early Israelite conquest report describing capture and slaughter of a city (Jerusalem) and burning it—themewise linked by city-by-city sieges, slaughter of populations, and survivors fleeing to strongholds.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-17 (allusion): Legal/ethical rationale for 'devoting to destruction' foreign city populations; thematically undergirds narratives where Israelites carry out total destruction of enemy cities as commanded.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it came to pass, when Joshua and the people of Israel had finished striking them with a very great slaughter, that the survivors who remained of them entered the fortified cities.
- When Joshua and the Israelites had finished striking them with a very great slaughter until they were ended, the survivors that remained of them fled into the fortified cities.
Jos.10.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מקדה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- בשלום: PREP
- לא: PART_NEG
- חרץ: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לבני: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- לשנו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 5:1 (thematic): Reports that when the kings heard of Israel’s crossing of the Jordan and the LORD’s acts, “their hearts melted,” showing the same terror/awe of the LORD that leaves Israel unopposed and enables peaceful return to camp.
- Joshua 2:9-11 (thematic): Rahab’s testimony that the peoples of the land were ‘fainthearted’ and knew of the LORD’s mighty deeds parallels the theme of fear/awe producing silence and submission among Israel’s foes.
- Exodus 14:31 (verbal): After the Red Sea deliverance the people ‘feared the LORD and believed in the LORD,’ echoing the phrase and theological point that awe of God produces trust and halts dissent—paralleling Israel’s silence in Josh 10:21.
- Judges 7:22 (structural): In Gideon’s victory God throws the enemy into confusion so they strike one another; similarly in Joshua 10 fear and divine action discomfit the Amorites, resulting in peace and no quarrel among Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace; and not one Israelite complained against any of his officers.
- All the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace; and no Israelite moved his tongue against any man.
Jos.10.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פתחו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- המערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והוציאו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חמשת: NUM,card,construct
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- מן: PREP
- המערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Judg.8:21-24 (thematic): Gideon’s pursuit and execution of the kings Oreb and Zeeb: capture of enemy rulers in battle and violent public handling of their bodies (killing, display) parallels Joshua’s treatment of the five kings.
- Deut.21:22-23 (structural): The law concerning hanging a convicted person on a tree until evening provides the legal/cultural background for Joshua’s execution and public display of the kings (cf. Joshua 10:26–27).
- 1 Sam.24:3-7 (thematic): Saul is found hiding in a cave and David’s men are called to bring him out; the cave motif and the leader’s command to open the cave and produce an enemy parallel Joshua’s command to open the cave and bring out the kings.
- 2 Kgs.9:32-33 (thematic): Jehu’s killing of King Joram (striking him and casting his body) and the violent overthrow of royal rivals echoes the capture and execution of enemy kings in Joshua’s narrative.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring out to me the five kings from the cave.”
- Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring out to me these five kings from the cave.”
Jos.10.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כן: ADV
- ויציאו: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- חמשת: NUM,card,construct
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- מן: PREP
- המערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- חברון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ירמות: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- לכיש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- עגלון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Judges 1:7-8 (thematic): Israelite forces capture a Canaanite ruler (Adoni‑bezek), bind him and bring him to the Israelite center — similar motif of defeating and presenting enemy kings.
- 1 Samuel 24:3-7 (thematic): Saul is found hiding in a cave (Engedi) — parallels the motif of a king concealed in a cave and the episode’s cave setting.
- 2 Kings 25:7 (thematic): King Zedekiah is captured, brought before his captor and publicly humiliated — echoes the defeat, capture and public treatment of a vanquished king.
- Genesis 14:9-16 (structural): Narrative of a battle involving multiple kings and the taking of captives — parallels the coalition warfare and the capture of several kings in one engagement.
Alternative generated candidates
- They did so and brought out to him the five kings from the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
- They did so and brought out to him the five kings from the cave: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
Jos.10.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כהוציאם: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- אל: NEG
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- כל: DET
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- קציני: NOUN,m,pl,const
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ההלכוא: PART,qal,ptcp,m,pl,def
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- קרבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שימו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- רגליכם: NOUN,f,pl,suff
- על: PREP
- צוארי: NOUN,m,sg,abs+suff-1cs
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ויקרבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וישימו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- רגליהם: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- צואריהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:3,m,pl
Parallels
- Psalm 110:1 (verbal): Uses the image of making enemies a 'footstool'—a close verbal and conceptual parallel to placing feet on the necks of defeated kings as a sign of subjugation and victory.
- Psalm 8:6 (verbal): Speaks of putting 'all things' under one's feet; shares the same feet-under-enemies motif that symbolizes universal dominion echoed in Joshua's act.
- Romans 16:20 (verbal): Paul promises that 'the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet,' employing the same metaphor of enemies being trampled underfoot to signify decisive triumph.
- Hebrews 2:8 (quotation): Quotes Psalm 8:6 ('put all things in subjection under his feet') and applies the feet-under-enemies motif christologically—parallel in theme to Joshua's literal placing of feet on conquered kings.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Joshua had brought out these kings to him, Joshua called all the men of Israel and said to the commanders of the men of war who went with him, “Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came near and put their feet on their necks.
- When Joshua had brought out these kings to him, he called all the men of Israel and said to the commanders of the warriors who had gone with him, “Come near; set your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came near and set their feet on their necks.
Jos.10.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- תיראו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תחתו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- חזקו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- ואמצו: CONJ+VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- כי: CONJ
- ככה: ADV
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- איביכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,pl,m
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- נלחמים: VERB,qal,ptcp,3,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
Parallels
- Joshua 1:9 (verbal): Direct repetition of the exhortation 'Be strong and of good courage' as a command from God to his leaders and people.
- Deuteronomy 31:6 (verbal): Similar command 'Be strong and of good courage; do not fear or be dismayed' given as assurance of God's presence and deliverance.
- Deuteronomy 20:4 (thematic): Promise that the LORD goes with Israel and will fight for them, providing the same assurance of divine victory against enemies.
- 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (thematic): David's declaration that the LORD will deliver Goliath into his hand parallels Joshua's assurance that God will act against Israel's enemies.
- Psalm 27:14 (verbal): Encouragement to 'wait for the LORD' and 'be strong, and let your heart take courage' echoes the call to courage grounded in trust in God's action.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
- Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed. Be strong and of good courage; for thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
Jos.10.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחרי: PREP
- כן: ADV
- וימיתם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- ויתלם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,ms
- על: PREP
- חמשה: NUM,m,pl
- עצים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- תלוים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- העצים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- עד: PREP
- הערב: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deut.21.22-23 (verbal): Law concerning a man hanged on a tree — 'shall be hanged' and the corpse not left overnight but buried the same day; provides legal/ritual background for hanging on trees and the practice of removing corpses by evening.
- 2 Sam.21.6-9 (structural): Narrative parallel: Israelites handed over men who were executed and hung up before the LORD, then later taken down and buried — closely mirrors execution, hanging, and subsequent burial sequence.
- Gal.3.13 (quotation): Paul cites Deut 21:23 ('cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree') applying the motif of hanging on a tree to Christ; echoes the theological resonance of hanging as a curse.
- Acts 5.30 (verbal): Peter's accusation that Jesus was 'killed by hanging on a tree' — NT usage of the same verbal imagery of death by hanging on a tree, linking practice to crucifixion rhetoric.
Alternative generated candidates
- Afterward Joshua struck them and put them to death, and he hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging on the trees until evening.
- Then Joshua struck them and killed them, and he hung them on five trees; they remained hanging on the trees until evening.
Jos.10.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בוא: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירידום: VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,sg
- מעל: PREP
- העצים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וישלכם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,2,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- המערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נחבאו: VERB,nif,perf,3,m,pl
- שם: ADV
- וישמו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדלות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- פי: NOUN,m,sg,construct
- המערה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- עצם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Josh.10.26 (structural): Immediate narrative precursor — Joshua’s command to execute and impale the defeated kings on trees, with verse 10:27 describing their removal at sunset and sealing of the cave.
- Josh.7.26 (verbal): Achan is stoned and a great heap of stones is raised 'to this day' (עד־ עצם היום הזה) — parallels in punishment by stoning and the placing of stones as a lasting memorial.
- 2 Sam.21:9-14 (thematic): After the Gibeonites executed Saul’s descendants they were taken down and buried in a sepulchre — similar theme of disposal/burial of executed enemies and concern for their interment.
- Deut.21:22-23 (allusion): Law concerning a criminal hanged on a tree and the prohibition against leaving the body overnight; provides legal/backgroundal context for the practice of how executed bodies were treated.
- 1 Sam.31:11-13 (thematic): The retrieval, burning and burial of Saul’s and his sons’ bodies by the men of Jabesh-gilead — another instance of recovering and burying the dead after defeat in battle.
Alternative generated candidates
- At the time of the going down of the sun Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and cast them into the cave where they had hidden; and they put great stones at the mouth of the cave, which remain until this day.
- At the time of the going down of the sun Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and threw them into the cave where they had hidden; and they rolled great stones to the mouth of the cave, and they are there to this day.
Jos.10.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- מקדה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- לכד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- ויכה: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- מלכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- החרם: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- הנפש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- השאיר: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- שריד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מקדה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יריחו: NOUN,m,sg,cstr
Parallels
- Josh.6.21 (verbal): Uses the same language of complete destruction and devotion (herem) of Jericho—'they utterly destroyed'/'left no survivor'—which Joshua 10:28 explicitly echoes.
- Josh.8.24-29 (structural): The account of Ai follows a similar pattern: city taken, king captured/executed, city burned, and inhabitants put under the ban—paralleling the actions in 10:28.
- Deut.20.16-18 (thematic): Gives the law-like command to 'utterly destroy' certain peoples (herem), providing the legal/ideological basis for the conquest language and actions in Joshua 10:28.
- 1 Sam.15.3 (allusion): God's command to Saul to 'utterly destroy' Amalek echoes the herem motif (kill men, women, children, animals), paralleling the ruthless language and practice in Joshua's conquests.
- Josh.10.40 (structural): A summary statement that Joshua 'smote all the country' and 'left none that breathed,' which frames v.28 as part of the larger sweep of total conquest in the campaign.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua took Makkedah on that day and struck it with the edge of the sword, and devoted its king and all the people in it to destruction; he left none remaining. He did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.
- Joshua captured Makkedah on that day and struck it with the sword; he devoted its king and all the people in it to destruction, leaving no survivor. He did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.
And the five kings fled and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. And it was told to Joshua, “Behold, the five kings are found hidden in the cave at Makkedah.”
Then Joshua said, “Roll large stones to the mouth of the cave, and set men by it to guard them.”
Do not stand still; pursue your enemies and overtake them. Do not let them enter their cities, for the LORD your God has given them into your hand. And when Joshua and the people of Israel had finished striking them with a very great slaughter until they were destroyed, the remainder who escaped of them entered the fortified cities.
Then all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace; not one of the people opened his mouth against any of the Israelites. And Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out to me those five kings from the cave.” So they opened the cave and brought out to him the five kings—the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.
When they brought them out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel and said to the commanders of the warriors who had gone with him, “Come near; put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came near and put their feet on their necks. And Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the LORD will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
Afterward Joshua struck and killed them, and hanged them on five trees; and they were hanging on the trees until evening.
At the time of the going down of the sun Joshua commanded, and they took them down from the trees and cast them into the cave where they had hidden, and they put large stones at the mouth of the cave— which remain until this day. And Joshua took Makkedah on that day and struck it with the edge of the sword; its king he devoted to destruction, and all the people in it—he left no survivor—and he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho.