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

JOSHUA 10:18KJV
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Joshua 10:18 (KJV)

What does Joshua 10:18 mean?

Joshua 10:18 describes Joshua commanding his men to roll large stones over the entrance of a cave and to station guards there to keep watch. This action was meant to trap and secure the enemies who had hidden inside the cave during a battle.

In this verse, Joshua is speaking to his soldiers after several enemy kings fled and hid in a cave at Makkedah. By sealing the cave with stones and assigning men to guard it, Joshua ensures the kings cannot escape while the battle continues elsewhere. The verse shows a moment of practical military strategy during Israel’s campaign in Canaan.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 10:18

  • "Roll" (גַּלְלוּ, gal'lu): This word carries the sense of physically moving or rolling something heavy, emphasizing the effort required to block the cave’s entrance securely.
  • "Mouth" (פֶּה, peh): In Hebrew, "mouth" is often used for the opening of something, like a cave or a well. Here, it highlights the cave’s entrance as the point of access and escape.
  • "Set" (פָּקַד, paqad): This word can mean to appoint or assign responsibility. Joshua is not just telling the men to stand by, but to take charge of guarding the cave carefully.

Why Joshua 10:18 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Joshua’s approach was not just about defeating enemies in open battle, but also about using careful tactics to secure victory.
  • The detail about sealing the cave and posting guards shows Joshua’s attention to preventing escape or rescue, which connects to the broader narrative of Israel’s conquest.
  • Understanding the specific words for "roll," "mouth," and "set" helps readers see the deliberate and organized nature of Joshua’s command, rather than a hasty or improvised action.

Where else these words appear

“Roll” Hebrew H1556 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 29:3 And thither were all the flocks gathered: and they rolled the stone from the well's mouth, and watered the sheep, and put the stone again upon the well's mouth in his place.
  • 1 Samuel 14:33 Then they told Saul, saying, Behold, the people sin against the LORD, in that they eat with the blood. And he said, Ye have transgressed: roll a great stone unto me this day.
  • Proverbs 16:3 Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

“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.