King James Version

What Does Joshua 10:18 Mean?

Joshua 10:18 in the King James Version says “And Joshua said, Roll great stones upon the mouth of the cave, and set men by it for to keep them:” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Joshua 10:18 · KJV

Context

16

But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.

17

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

18

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

19

And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand. smite: Heb. cut off the tail

20

And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed, that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities.

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Commentary

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

Joshua's command demonstrates tactical wisdom and strategic priorities. The verb "roll" (גֹּלּוּ, gollu) indicates moving massive stones requiring multiple men—ensuring the kings couldn't escape even if they attempted to fight their way out. The phrase "great stones" (אֲבָנִים גְּדֹלוֹת, avanim gedolot) emphasizes size sufficient to seal the cave mouth completely. This created a natural prison without requiring significant troop deployment to guard it.

The additional command "set men by it for to keep them" (הַפְקִידוּ עָלֶיהָ אֲנָשִׁים, hafqidu aleha anashim) assigned a small guard force to ensure security while minimizing forces diverted from the main battle. The Hebrew verb פָּקַד (paqad) means to appoint, muster, or assign responsibility, indicating formal guard duty. This balanced security with operational necessity—the kings were neutralized, but the battle continued.

From a Reformed perspective, this illustrates the principle of using sufficient means without excess. Joshua didn't leave the cave unguarded (presumption) nor deploy his entire army to guard it (overreaction). He used proportionate means for the task. Christian wisdom similarly avoids both presumptuous passivity and anxious overreaction, trusting God while employing appropriate human effort (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Peter 5:7-9).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Rolling large stones to seal cave entrances appears throughout biblical and archaeological contexts. Burial caves were sealed with rolling stones (Genesis 29:2-3; Matthew 27:60; Mark 16:3-4), as were storage caves. Archaeological excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa and other sites have uncovered examples of such stones, typically disc-shaped and weighing hundreds of pounds, requiring several people to move them.

The tactic of sealing enemies in caves occurs in other ancient accounts. The rebel Maccabees used caves for guerrilla warfare refuges, prompting enemies to seal them (1 Maccabees 2:29-38). Roman forces under Vespasian sealed rebels in caves during the Jewish Revolt (66-73 CE). The tactic worked because caves typically had single entrances, making them easy to block but deadly traps if sealed.

Joshua's decision to seal the cave rather than entering to fight the kings showed tactical wisdom. Cave fighting favored defenders—narrow passages neutralized numerical superiority and allowed trapped enemies to inflict heavy casualties. The confined space, darkness, and unknown cave layout made direct assault extremely costly. By sealing the cave, Joshua achieved the same objective (neutralizing the kings) without casualties, freeing his troops for the continuing pursuit.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joshua's balanced approach—securing the kings without overcommitting resources—illustrate biblical wisdom in managing competing priorities?
  2. What situations in your life require proportionate response rather than either neglect or excessive attention?
  3. How can you discern when God is calling you to trust Him through bold action versus prudent caution?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 12

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ2 of 12

“And Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

גֹּ֛לּוּ3 of 12

“Roll”

H1556

to roll (literally or figuratively)

אֲבָנִ֥ים4 of 12

“stones”

H68

a stone

גְּדֹל֖וֹת5 of 12

“great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

אֶל6 of 12
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פִּ֣י7 of 12

“upon the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

הַמְּעָרָ֑ה8 of 12

“of the cave”

H4631

a cavern (as dark)

וְהַפְקִ֧ידוּ9 of 12

“and set”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

עָלֶ֛יהָ10 of 12
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֲנָשִׁ֖ים11 of 12

“men”

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

לְשָׁמְרָֽם׃12 of 12

“by it for to keep”

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 10:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 10:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 27:66Amos 5:19Joshua 10:22Job 21:30Amos 9:1Judges 9:46-49

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