Joshua 10:17
Joshua 10:17 in Multiple Translations
And Joshua was informed: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.”
And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
And word was given to Joshua that the five kings had been taken in a hole in the rock at Makkedah.
When Joshua was told that the five kings were hiding in a cave at Makkedah,
And it was tolde Ioshua, saying, The fiue Kings are found hid in a caue at Makkedah.
and it is declared to Joshua, saying, 'The five kings have been found hidden in a cave at Makkedah.'
Joshua was told, saying, “The five kings have been found, hidden in the cave at Makkedah.”
And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.
And it was told Josue that the five kings were found hidden in a cave of the city of Maceda.
Then someone told Joshua, “We found those five kings, hiding in a cave at Makkedah!”
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 10:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 10:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֻּגַּ֖ד
לִ/יהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
נִמְצְאוּ֙
חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת
הַ/מְּלָכִ֔ים
נֶחְבְּאִ֥ים
בַּ/מְּעָרָ֖ה
בְּ/מַקֵּדָֽה
וַ/יֻּגַּ֖ד
nâgad
H5046
to tell
Conj | V-Hophal-ConsecImperf-3ms
לִ/יהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ
Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
H3091
Joshua
Prep | N-proper
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
נִמְצְאוּ֙
mâtsâʼ
H4672
to find
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
five
Adj
הַ/מְּלָכִ֔ים
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-mp
נֶחְבְּאִ֥ים
châbâʼ
H2244
to hide
V-Niphal
בַּ/מְּעָרָ֖ה
mᵉʻârâh
H4631
cave
Prep | N-fs
בְּ/מַקֵּדָֽה
Maqqêdâh
H4719
Makkedah
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 10:17
וַ/יֻּגַּ֖ד
nâgad
H5046
"to tell"
Conj | V-Hophal-ConsecImperf-3ms
To tell or declare something openly, as in Genesis 3:11 where God asks Adam to tell the truth. It means to stand boldly and announce something to someone present. In Exodus 32:27, Moses tells the Levites to declare their actions to the people.
Definition: 1) to be conspicuous, tell, make known 1a) (Hiphil) to tell, declare 1a1) to tell, announce, report 1a2) to declare, make known, expound 1a3) to inform of 1a4) to publish, declare, proclaim 1a5) to avow, acknowledge, confess 1a5a) messenger (participle) 1b) (Hophal) to be told, be announced, be reported
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: bewray, [idiom] certainly, certify, declare(-ing), denounce, expound, [idiom] fully, messenger, plainly, profess, rehearse, report, shew (forth), speak, [idiom] surely, tell, utter. See also: Genesis 3:11; 1 Samuel 14:33; 2 Kings 9:15.
לִ/יהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ
Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
H3091
"Joshua"
Prep | N-proper
Joshua was a leader in the Bible, first mentioned in Ezra 2:2, who helped the Israelites return from exile. His name means Jehovah is salvation, and he is also known as Jeshua in some parts of the Bible. He was a key figure in the conquest of Canaan.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.2; son of: Jehozadak (H3087); father of: Joiakim (H3113); also called Jeshua at Ezr.2.2; 3.2,8; 4.3; 5.2; 1x12.1,7,10,26; § Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation" 1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan 2) a resident of Beth-shemesh on whose land the Ark of the Covenant came to a stop after the Philistines returned it 3) son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration 4) governor of Jerusalem under king Josiah who gave his name to a gate of the city of Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare H1954 (הוֹשֵׁעַ), H3442 (יֵשׁוּעַ). See also: Exodus 17:9; Joshua 9:15; Zechariah 6:11.
לֵ/אמֹ֑ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
נִמְצְאוּ֙
mâtsâʼ
H4672
"to find"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
Matsa means to find or attain something, whether it is a physical object, a person, or a condition, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to find, attain to 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to find 1a1a) to find, secure, acquire, get (thing sought) 1a1b) to find (what is lost) 1a1c) to meet, encounter 1a1d) to find (a condition) 1a1e) to learn, devise 1a2) to find out 1a2a) to find out 1a2b) to detect 1a2c) to guess 1a3) to come upon, light upon 1a3a) to happen upon, meet, fall in with 1a3b) to hit 1a3c) to befall 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be found 1b1a) to be encountered, be lighted upon, be discovered 1b1b) to appear, be recognised 1b1c) to be discovered, be detected 1b1d) to be gained, be secured 1b2) to be, be found 1b2a) to be found in 1b2b) to be in the possession of 1b2c) to be found in (a place), happen to be 1b2d) to be left (after war) 1b2e) to be present 1b2f) to prove to be 1b2g) to be found sufficient, be enough 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to find, attain 1c2) to cause to light upon, come upon, come 1c3) to cause to encounter 1c4) to present (offering)
Usage: Occurs in 425 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] be able, befall, being, catch, [idiom] certainly, (cause to) come (on, to, to hand), deliver, be enough (cause to) find(-ing, occasion, out), get (hold upon), [idiom] have (here), be here, hit, be left, light (up-) on, meet (with), [idiom] occasion serve, (be) present, ready, speed, suffice, take hold on. See also: Genesis 2:20; Deuteronomy 22:3; 2 Kings 9:35.
חֲמֵ֣שֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
הַ/מְּלָכִ֔ים
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-mp
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
נֶחְבְּאִ֥ים
châbâʼ
H2244
"to hide"
V-Niphal
To hide means to secrete or withdraw, often for safety or protection. In the Bible, this word is used to describe hiding oneself or being forced into hiding. It appears in various forms, including to hide oneself or to be hidden by someone else.
Definition: 1) to withdraw, hide 1a) (Niphal) to hide oneself 1b) (Pual) to be forced into hiding 1c) (Hiphil) to hide 1d) (Hophal) to be hidden 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to hide oneself, draw back 1e2) to draw together, thicken, harden
Usage: Occurs in 33 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] held, hide (self), do secretly. See also: Genesis 3:8; 1 Kings 18:4; Isaiah 42:22.
בַּ/מְּעָרָ֖ה
mᵉʻârâh
H4631
"cave"
Prep | N-fs
The Hebrew word for a cave or den, often used to describe a dark or hidden place. It can also refer to a hole or a hollowed-out space. In the Bible, it is used to describe natural landscapes and places of refuge or hiding.
Definition: cave, den, hole
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: cave, den, hole. See also: Genesis 19:30; 1 Samuel 13:6; Psalms 57:1.
בְּ/מַקֵּדָֽה
Maqqêdâh
H4719
"Makkedah"
Prep | N-proper
Makkedah, a place in Palestine where Joshua captured five Canaanite kings, meaning 'place of shepherds'.
Definition: § Makkedah = "place of shepherds" the location of a cave in Judah where Joshua captured and executed five Canaanite kings during the conquest; located near Bethhoron and Libnah
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Makkedah. See also: Joshua 10:10; Joshua 10:28; Joshua 15:41.
Study Notes — Joshua 10:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Victory at Makkedah
15Then Joshua returned with all Israel to the camp at Gilgal.
16Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
17And Joshua was informed: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.”
18So Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and post men there to guard them. 19But you, do not stop there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Do not let them reach their cities, for the LORD your God has delivered them into your hand.”Joshua 10:17 Summary
This verse tells us that Joshua found out where the five kings were hiding, and it sets the stage for the rest of the chapter. The five kings were trying to escape the Israelites, but they couldn't hide from God. This reminds us that we can't hide from God either, and that we need to trust in His power and provision, as seen in Jeremiah 23:24 and Psalm 139:7-10. Just like the Israelites, we can trust that God will help us and provide for us, even in difficult circumstances, as seen in Joshua 1:9 and Deuteronomy 31:6.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the five kings hide in a cave?
The five kings likely hid in the cave at Makkedah because they were afraid of the Israelites, who had just defeated their armies with God's help, as seen in Joshua 10:10-14. This fear led them to seek a place of safety, but ultimately, it was a futile attempt to escape God's plan.
How did Joshua find out where the kings were hiding?
The Bible doesn't specifically say how Joshua was informed about the location of the five kings, but it's possible that God revealed it to him, just as He had helped the Israelites in their previous battles, as mentioned in Joshua 10:8-9 and Exodus 33:15-16.
What can we learn from the five kings' decision to hide?
The five kings' decision to hide in a cave shows that they were trying to rely on their own strength and strategies to save themselves, rather than trusting in God. This is a reminder that our own strength and plans are not enough to save us, and that we need to trust in God's power and provision, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 20:7-8.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the chapter?
This verse is a turning point in the chapter, as it sets the stage for Joshua's instructions to his men to pursue their enemies and attack them from behind, as seen in Joshua 10:19. It shows how God is working through the Israelites to fulfill His promises and defeat their enemies.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am trying to hide or rely on my own strength, rather than trusting in God?
- How can I apply the lesson of the five kings to my own life, and what are some ways that I can trust in God's power and provision instead of my own?
- What are some times in my life when God has revealed His plan or provided for me in unexpected ways, and how can I remember and apply those lessons to my current circumstances?
- How can I balance the need to take action and make decisions with the need to trust in God's sovereignty and provision, as seen in Joshua 10:8-9 and Proverbs 3:5-6?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 10:17
And it was told Joshua,.... Either by some of his own people, or by some of the inhabitants of the land in his interest, who had observed it: saying, the five kings are found hid in a cave at
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 10:17
And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 10:17
Joshua 10:17 And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.Ver. 17. In a cave at Makkedah.] In the confines and country adjacent, and belonging to this city.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 10:17
17. in a cave] “lurkinge in the spelunk,” Wyclif; in one of the numerous limestone caves, with which the district abounds, though the article here, both in the Hebrew and the LXX., seems to intimate that it was a well-known cave, overshadowed probably by a grove of trees (comp. Joshua 10:26). Many such caves, large and dry, and often branching out into chambers, are found in the lime and chalk rocks of Palestine. Comp. (i) the cave in which Lot dwelt after the destruction of Sodom (Genesis 19:30); (ii) the cave at Rimmon (Judges 20:47), which could contain six hundred men in its spacious recess; (iii) David’s cave of Adullam, where he concealed “his brethren, and all his father’s house” (1 Samuel 22:1); (iv) the cave of Engedi, which Saul entered, and in the sides of which “David and his men remained” (1 Samuel 24:3); (v) Obadiah’s cave, in which he concealed “an hundred prophets” (1 Kings 18:4). “The caves of Syria and Palestine are still used, either occasionally or permanently, as habitations.… The shepherds near Hebron leave their villages in the summer to dwell in caves and ruins, in order to be nearer to their flocks and fields. Almost all the habitations at Om-keis, Gadara, are caves.” See Smith’s Bible Dict. Art. Caves.