Joshua 10:23 - They did so, and brought those five kings out of the cave to him: the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

Generated Verse: Joshua 10:23

What does "Joshua 10:23" mean?


This verse, Joshua 10:23, is a pivotal moment in the Israelite conquest of Canaan. Here's a breakdown of what it means:

Context: This verse follows a major victory for the Israelites, led by Joshua, over an alliance of Amorite kings who had attacked the city of Gibeon (which had made peace with Israel). After a miraculous long day (Joshua 10:13), the Israelites pursued and defeated the Amorite armies.

"They did so": This refers back to Joshua's command in the previous verses. He had ordered the Israelites to roll large stones in front of the entrance to a cave and place men there to guard it, trapping the five kings who had fled into the cave.

"Brought those five kings out of the cave to him": The Israelites followed Joshua's instructions and brought the captured kings to him. This act of bringing the defeated kings to Joshua signifies:
Submission: It symbolizes the complete defeat and submission of these kings and their kingdoms to Joshua and, by extension, to the God of Israel.
Justice/Judgment: It sets the stage for the punishment and judgment that Joshua will inflict upon them (which is described in the following verses).
Triumph: It highlights Joshua's leadership and the fulfillment of God's promise to give the Israelites the land of Canaan.

The List of Kings: The specific mention of the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon is important because:
Strategic Importance: These cities were major strongholds in the southern part of Canaan. Conquering them would give the Israelites a significant foothold in the region.
Symbolic Significance: These kings represented the power and resistance of the Canaanites. Their capture and subsequent defeat were a blow to Canaanite morale and a demonstration of God's power over their enemies.
Future Conquest: The mention of these specific cities hints at the subsequent campaigns that Joshua would lead to conquer these territories fully.

In essence, Joshua 10:23 marks a turning point in the Israelite conquest. The capture of these five kings was a major victory that paved the way for further Israelite expansion and domination of Canaan. It demonstrated God's power and faithfulness to his promises.

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