Joshua 10:22
New International Version
Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.”

New Living Translation
Then Joshua said, “Remove the rocks covering the opening of the cave, and bring the five kings to me.”

English Standard Version
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.”

Berean Standard Bible
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.”

Berean Literal Bible
And Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out to me these five kings from the cave.”

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

New King James Version
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings to me from the cave.”

New American Standard Bible
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring these five kings out to me from the cave.”

NASB 1995
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring these five kings out to me from the cave.”

NASB 1977
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring these five kings out to me from the cave.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring these five kings out to me from the cave.”

Amplified Bible
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring out to me those five [Amorite] kings from the cave.”

Berean Annotated Bible
Then Joshua (YHWH saves) said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings to me out of there.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings to me out of there.”

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

Contemporary English Version
Joshua told his soldiers, "Now, move the rocks from the entrance to the cave and bring those five kings to me."

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Joshua said, "Open the cave, and bring me the five kings!"

Good News Translation
Then Joshua said, "Open the entrance to the cave and bring those five kings out to me."

International Standard Version
Then Joshua gave this order: "Unseal the mouth of the cave and bring out these five kings to me from the cave."

NET Bible
Joshua said, "Open the cave's mouth and bring the five kings out of the cave to me."

New Heart English Bible
Then Joshua said, "Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings out of the cave to me."

Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings to me out of the cave.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.”

World English Bible
Then Joshua said, “Open the cave entrance, and bring those five kings out of the cave to me.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Joshua says, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out to me these five kings from the cave”;

Berean Literal Bible
And Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out to me these five kings from the cave.”

Young's Literal Translation
And Joshua saith, 'Open ye the mouth of the cave, and bring out unto me these five kings from the cave;'

Smith's Literal Translation
And Joshua will say, Open the mouth of the cave and bring forth to me these five kings out of the cave.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Josue gave orders, saying: Open the mouth of the cave, and bring forth to me the five kings that lie hid therein.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Joshua instructed, saying, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring forward to me the five kings, who are hidden within it.”

New American Bible
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring me those five kings from the cave.”

New Revised Standard Version
Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings out to me from the cave.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then said Joshua, Open the mouth of the cave, and bring out those five kings to me.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Yeshua said: “Open the mouth of the cave and bring out to me these five Kings from the cave”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then said Joshua: 'Open the mouth of the cave, and bring forth those five kings unto me out of the cave.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Joshua said, Open the cave, and bring out these five kings out of the cave.

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Victory at Makkedah
21The whole army returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one dared to utter a word against the Israelites. 22Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave and bring those five kings out to me.” 23So they brought the five kings out of the cave—the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon.…

Cross References
Then Joshua said,

Joshua 3:9
So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God.”

Joshua 23:2
he summoned all Israel, including its elders, leaders, judges, and officers. “I am old and well along in years,” he said,

Joshua 24:15
But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD!”
“Open the mouth of the cave

John 11:39
“Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”

Mark 16:3
They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb?”

Daniel 6:17
A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that nothing concerning Daniel could be changed.
and bring those five kings out to me.”

Daniel 3:26
Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the blazing fiery furnace and called out, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out!” So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire,

Jeremiah 38:13
and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard.

Acts 5:19
But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying,
Joshua 2:1-24
Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. / And it was reported to the king of Jericho: “Behold, some men of Israel have come here tonight to spy out the land.” / So the king of Jericho sent to Rahab and said, “Bring out the men who came to you and entered your house, for they have come to spy out the whole land.” …

Joshua 6:22-25
Meanwhile, Joshua told the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the house of the prostitute and bring out the woman and all who are with her, just as you promised her.” / So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel. / Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house. …

Joshua 8:29
He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening, and at sunset Joshua commanded that they take down the body from the tree and throw it down at the entrance of the city gate. And over it they raised a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day.

Joshua 9:2
they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel.

Judges 1:24-25
and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.” / So the man showed them the entrance to the city, and they put the city to the sword but released that man and all his family.

1 Samuel 15:32-33
Then Samuel said, “Bring me Agag king of the Amalekites.” Agag came to him cheerfully, for he thought, “Surely the bitterness of death is past.” / But Samuel declared: “As your sword has made women childless, so your mother will be childless among women.” And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the LORD at Gilgal.

1 Kings 20:30-34
The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room. / Then the servants of Ben-hadad said to him, “Look now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful. Let us go out to the king of Israel with sackcloth around our waists and ropes around our heads. Perhaps he will spare your life.” / So with sackcloth around their waists and ropes around their heads, they went to the king of Israel and said, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘Please spare my life.’” And the king answered, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” …


Treasury of Scripture

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

1 Samuel 15:32
Then said Samuel, Bring ye hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites. And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, Surely the bitterness of death is past.

Joshua 10:16-18
But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah…

Jump to Previous
Cave Hole Joshua Kings Mouth Open Rock Stones
Jump to Next
Cave Hole Joshua Kings Mouth Open Rock Stones
Joshua 10
1. Five kings war against Gibeon
6. Joshua rescues it
10. God fights against them with hailstones
12. The sun and moon stand still at the word of Joshua
16. The five kings are murdered in a cave
22. They are brought forth
24. scornfully used
26. and hanged
28. Seven kings more are conquered
43. Joshua returns to Gilgal












Then Joshua said,

Joshua continued to direct Israel’s campaign in Canaan as God’s appointed leader. After the defeat of the Amorite coalition, he moved to deal publicly with the kings who had led the attack against Gibeon and Israel.

Jos 3:9 So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come here and listen”…
Jos 23:2 he summoned all Israel, including its elders…
Jos 24:15 But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD,…

“Open the mouth of the cave

The five kings had hidden in a cave near Makkedah after fleeing the battlefield. What had served as their refuge became the place from which they were brought out to face judgment.

Jhn 11:39 “Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,”…
Mrk 16:3 They were asking one another, “Who will roll away the stone…”…
Dan 6:17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den,…

and bring those five kings out to me.”

The captured rulers represented the defeated alliance of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. Their removal from the cave demonstrated that the resistance of these Canaanite kings could not withstand the Lord’s purpose to give the land to Israel.

Dan 3:26 So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire…
Jer 38:13 and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him…
Act 5:19 But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites, successor to Moses, and a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. He is known for his faithfulness and obedience to God's commands.

2. The Five Kings
These were the kings of the Amorite cities: Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon. They formed an alliance against Gibeon and were defeated by Joshua and the Israelites.

3. The Cave
The place where the five kings hid after their defeat. It symbolizes a temporary refuge that ultimately leads to their exposure and judgment.

4. Gibeon
A city that made a peace treaty with Israel, prompting the alliance of the five kings to attack it. This event led to the battle where God intervened on behalf of Israel.

5. The Battle of Gibeon
A significant event where God miraculously aided Israel by causing the sun to stand still, allowing them to achieve victory over their enemies.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Battle
God is in control of all circumstances, including battles and conflicts. Just as He delivered the five kings into Joshua's hands, He can deliver us from our struggles.

The Consequences of Opposing God
The fate of the five kings serves as a warning against opposing God's will. It reminds us that rebellion against God leads to judgment.

The Importance of Obedience
Joshua's actions demonstrate the importance of following God's commands. Obedience leads to victory and fulfillment of God's promises.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The victory over the five kings is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Israel. We can trust that God will fulfill His promises to us as well.

The Role of Leadership in God's Plan
Joshua's leadership was crucial in guiding Israel to victory. Godly leadership is essential in fulfilling God's purposes in our lives and communities.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Joshua 10:22?

2. How does Joshua 10:22 demonstrate God's power over Israel's enemies?

3. What can we learn about leadership from Joshua's actions in Joshua 10:22?

4. How does Joshua 10:22 connect to God's promises in Deuteronomy 31:6?

5. How can we apply Joshua's courage in Joshua 10:22 to our daily challenges?

6. What role does obedience play in achieving victory, as seen in Joshua 10:22?

7. How does Joshua 10:22 demonstrate God's intervention in human affairs?

8. What historical evidence supports the events described in Joshua 10:22?

9. How does Joshua 10:22 align with the overall theme of divine justice in the Bible?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 10?


Joshua 10:22 portrays decisive, God-directed leadership that exposes hidden enemies and brings them to unavoidable judgment. The verse reinforces God’s faithfulness to His promises, the futility of opposing His will, and the certainty that all who resist Him will eventually be brought into the open to face His righteous verdict.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

said,
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Open
פִּתְח֖וּ (piṯ·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve

the mouth
פִּ֣י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of the cave,
הַמְּעָרָ֑ה (ham·mə·‘ā·rāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4631: A cavern

and bring those
הָאֵ֖לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh)
Article | Pronoun - common plural
Strong's 428: These, those

five
חֲמֵ֛שֶׁת (ḥă·mê·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2568: Five

kings
הַמְּלָכִ֥ים (ham·mə·lā·ḵîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4428: A king

out
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

to
אֵלַ֗י (’ê·lay)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

me.”
וְהוֹצִ֣יאוּ (wə·hō·w·ṣî·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim


Additonal Resources
Joshua 10:22 Blue Letter Bible
Joshua 10:22 Bible Gateway
Joshua 10:22 Bible.com

Joshua 10:22 NIV
Joshua 10:22 NLT
Joshua 10:22 ESV
Joshua 10:22 NASB
Joshua 10:22 KJV

Joshua 10:22 Study Bible
Joshua 10:22 Biblia Paralela
Joshua 10:22 Chinese Bible
Joshua 10:22 French Bible
Joshua 10:22 Catholic Bible

OT History: Joshua 10:22 Then Joshua said Open the mouth (Josh. Jos)

Joshua 10:21
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