King James Version

What Does Joshua 10:23 Mean?

Joshua 10:23 in the King James Version says “And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron,...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.”

Joshua 10:23 · KJV

Context

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.

22

Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings unto me out of the cave.

23

And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

24

And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.

25

And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

Read Joshua 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And they did so, and brought forth those five kings unto him out of the cave, the king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, the king of Jarmuth, the king of Lachish, and the king of Eglon.

The obedient response "they did so" (וַיַּעֲשׂוּ־כֵן, vaya'asu-chen) demonstrates Israel's continued submission to Joshua's authority. The repetition of the command's execution reinforces the narrative's solemnity—this isn't incidental detail but pivotal historical moment. The phrase "brought forth... out of the cave" reverses their earlier hiding (v. 16), with the passive voice suggesting the kings were dragged out, likely bound and humiliated.

The formal listing of the five kings by their cities emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the southern coalition's defeat. Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon represented the dominant city-states controlling southern Canaan's strategic centers. Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַ‍ִם, Yerushalayim) controlled the central hill country; Hebron (חֶבְרוֹן, Chevron), 19 miles south, was a major cultic center; Jarmuth (יַרְמוּת, Yarmut) guarded western approaches; Lachish (לָכִישׁ, Lachish) was the region's premier fortress; Eglon (עֶגְלוֹן, Eglon) controlled southwestern routes. Together, these cities formed an interlocking defensive network.

From a redemptive-historical perspective, this list prophetically points to Christ's ultimate victory. These kings who opposed God's purposes and persecuted His people prefigure all who resist Christ's kingdom. Their capture and coming execution (vv. 26-27) foreshadow Revelation 19:19-21, where kings gathered against the Lamb are defeated and judged. God's purposes cannot be thwarted; those who oppose Him ensure their own destruction (Psalm 2:1-12).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological and historical evidence illuminates each city's significance. Jerusalem (ancient Jebus) sat on a defensible ridge with springs, making it naturally strong. Excavations on the Ophel (City of David) reveal Late Bronze Age fortifications. Hebron, associated with Abraham (Genesis 13:18; 23:2, 19), was rebuilt by Pharaoh and assigned to Caleb (Joshua 14:13-14). Its ancient name was Kiriath-arba ("city of four"), possibly referring to four hills or four ancestral giants (Joshua 14:15).

Jarmuth (modern Khirbet Yarmuk) guarded the Wadi es-Sunt approach to the hill country. Archaeological surveys confirm Late Bronze Age occupation. Lachish (Tell ed-Duweir) was Judah's second most important city after Jerusalem, featuring massive fortifications including walls, glacis, and elaborate gate systems. Excavations revealed destruction layers from Joshua's period, though precise dating remains debated. The Lachish Letters (6th century BCE) later illustrated the city's continued strategic importance.

Eglon's precise location remains uncertain (possibly Tell Eton or Tell el-Hesi), though textual and archaeological evidence places it in the Shephelah. Together, these five cities controlled the approaches to the Judean hill country from the Shephelah and coastal plain. Their simultaneous neutralization opened southern Canaan to rapid Israelite conquest, as subsequent verses detail (vv. 28-39).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the specific naming of these five kings and cities demonstrate God's concern with concrete historical realities rather than abstract spiritual concepts?
  2. What does the defeat of this formidable coalition teach about the futility of human alliances formed in opposition to God's purposes?
  3. How should believers today respond when facing seemingly overwhelming opposition from multiple sources simultaneously?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיַּ֣עֲשׂוּ1 of 25

“And they did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כֵ֔ן2 of 25
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

וַיֹּצִ֣יאוּ3 of 25

“so and brought forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֵלָ֗יו4 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֶת5 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חֲמֵ֛שֶׁת6 of 25

“those five”

H2568

five

מֶ֥לֶךְ7 of 25

“and the king”

H4428

a king

הָאֵ֖לֶּה8 of 25
H428

these or those

מִן9 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַמְּעָרָ֑ה10 of 25

“unto him out of the cave”

H4631

a cavern (as dark)

אֵ֣ת׀11 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶ֥לֶךְ12 of 25

“and the king”

H4428

a king

יְרֽוּשָׁלִַ֗ם13 of 25

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

אֶת14 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶ֥לֶךְ15 of 25

“and the king”

H4428

a king

חֶבְרוֹן֙16 of 25

“of Hebron”

H2275

chebron, the name of two israelites

אֶת17 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶ֥לֶךְ18 of 25

“and the king”

H4428

a king

יַרְמ֔וּת19 of 25

“of Jarmuth”

H3412

jarmuth, the name of two places in palestine

אֶת20 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶ֥לֶךְ21 of 25

“and the king”

H4428

a king

לָכִ֖ישׁ22 of 25

“of Lachish”

H3923

lakish, a place in palestine

אֶת23 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶ֥לֶךְ24 of 25

“and the king”

H4428

a king

עֶגְלֽוֹן׃25 of 25

“of Eglon”

H5700

eglon, the name of a place in palestine and of a moabitish king

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 10:23 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 10:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 10:5Joshua 10:1Joshua 10:3

Places in This Verse

EglonSettlement · Modern: Tell Eton · 31.49°N, 34.93°E8 verses across 1 book
HebronSettlement · Modern: Tel Rumeida · 31.53°N, 35.10°E62 verses across 10 books
Jarmuth 1Settlement · Modern: Tel Yarmuth · 31.71°N, 34.98°E6 verses across 2 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
LachishSettlement · Modern: Tell ed Duweir · 31.57°N, 34.85°E22 verses across 7 books
View all places in Joshua 10 →

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