And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.

JOSHUA 10:17KJV
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Joshua 10:17 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:17 mean?

Joshua 10:17 reports that someone came to Joshua and told him the five enemy kings had been discovered hiding in a cave at a place called Makkedah. This verse simply records the moment when the location of these kings was revealed during a military campaign.

The verse takes place after a major battle, where the armies of Israel, led by Joshua, were pursuing their enemies. The five kings, who had joined forces against Israel, tried to escape and hid themselves in a cave. The information was brought to Joshua by messengers, setting up the next actions in the story.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:17

  • "hid" (חָבָא, chava): This word means to conceal or hide oneself. The kings were not just taking shelter, but actively trying to avoid being found, which shows their fear and desperation.
  • "cave" (מְעָרָה, me‘arah): The use of "cave" here is specific—a natural hiding place, common in the rocky landscape, and often used for refuge or concealment in ancient times.
  • "Makkedah" (מַקֵּדָה, Makkedah): This is the name of a specific location in the region, giving a concrete setting to the story and showing that these events are tied to real places.

Why Joshua 10:17 matters

  • This verse marks a turning point in the narrative, as the discovery of the kings leads directly to their capture and affects the outcome of the conflict.
  • The detail about the kings hiding shows their vulnerability and the effectiveness of Joshua’s campaign, highlighting a reversal of power.
  • Mentioning the exact place, Makkedah, roots the story in a real geographical context, which helps readers follow the sequence of events in the wider passage.

Where else these words appear

“Makkedah” Hebrew H4719 · used in 8 verses

  • Joshua 10:10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
  • Joshua 10:21 And all the people returned to the camp to Joshua at Makkedah in peace: none moved his tongue against any of the children of Israel.
  • Joshua 10:29 Then Joshua passed from Makkedah, and all Israel with him, unto Libnah, and fought against Libnah:

“hid” Hebrew H2244 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
  • 1 Samuel 14:11 And both of them discovered themselves unto the garrison of the Philistines: and the Philistines said, Behold, the Hebrews come forth out of the holes where they had hid themselves.
  • 2 Chronicles 22:9 And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him,(for he was hid in Samaria,) and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom.

“cave” Hebrew H4631 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 19:30 And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
  • Joshua 10:16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
  • 2 Samuel 23:13 And three of the thirty chief went down, and came to David in the harvest time unto the cave of Adullam: and the troop of the Philistines pitched in the valley of Rephaim.