Joshua 10:16 — Word Study
WLCוַיָּנֻ֕סוּ חֲמֵ֖שֶׁת הַמְּלָכִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיֵּחָבְא֥וּ בַמְּעָרָ֖ה בְּמַקֵּדָֽה׃
BSANow theʼêl-leh fivechâmêsh [a quantity of, numbering] kingsmelek [royal rulers, monarchs] had flednûwç▸ [run away, escaped] and hiddenchâbâʼ▸ [concealed, secretly withdrawn] in the cavemᵉʻârâh [a hole, a rock cavern] at MakkedahMaqqêdâh [place of shepherds, a city in Palestine]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וַיָּנֻ֕סוּ | and they fled | Verb, Qal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| חֲמֵ֖שֶׁת | [the] five | Adj |
| הַמְּלָכִ֣ים | the kings | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| הָאֵ֑לֶּה | these | Particle, particle |
| וַיֵּחָבְא֥וּ | and they hid themselves | Verb, Niphal, sequential imperfect third person masculine plural |
| בַמְּעָרָ֖ה | in the cave | Preposition, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| בְּמַקֵּדָֽה׃ | at Makkedah | Preposition, noun proper |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah. |
| KJV | But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. |
| ASV | And these five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. |
| YLT | And these five kings flee, and are hidden in a cave at Makkedah, |
| WEB | These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah. |
| BBE | But these five kings went in flight secretly to a hole in the rock at Makkedah. |
The translations agree on the actions of the kings fleeing and hiding.
The sentence contains a main clause followed by two prepositional phrases that provide additional details about the actions.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbנוּס
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Joshua 10:16
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Capture of the Kingsgenerated
Joshua 10:16 recounts the moment when five kings, having fled from battle, sought refuge in a cave at Makkedah. This event is part of the larger narrative where Joshua leads Israel in conquering the land of Canaan, showcasing God's deliverance and the fulfillment of His promises to Israel.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 48:4–6 | For behold, the kings assembled; they all advanced together. |
| 2 | Psalm 139:7–10 | Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? |
| 3 | Isaiah 2:10–12 | Go into the rocks and hide in the dust from the terror of the LORD and the splendor of His majesty. |
| 4 | Amos 9:2 | Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. |
| 5 | Revelation 6:15 | Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 11 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — נוּס, vai.ya.Nu.sugenerated
The word נוּס (nus) is a verb that means to flee or escape. It indicates a rapid departure from danger, as the kings sought safety from Joshua and the Israelites. The parsing as a sequential imperfect third person masculine plural shows that this action was ongoing and involved multiple subjects.
This term captures the urgency and desperation of the kings' flight, emphasizing their fear and the dire circumstances they faced. The use of this verb illustrates the gravity of the situation and the lengths to which they went to avoid capture.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
The translations are consistent in conveying that the five kings fled and hid in the cave.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main action is governed by two finite verbs: וַיָּנֻ֕סוּ (they fled) and וַיֵּחָבְא֥וּ (they hid themselves). The sentence structure indicates a sequence of actions taken by the kings.
The word order emphasizes the fleeing first, followed by the act of hiding, which illustrates their immediate response to danger.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, וַיָּנֻ֕סוּ is rendered as ἔφυγον (G5343), meaning 'they fled.' This choice captures the same sense of urgency found in the Hebrew.
The translation reflects a direct correspondence in meaning, emphasizing the kings' desperate attempt to escape.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Joshua 10:16 describes how five kings fled from battle and hid in a cave at Makkedah. This event highlights their fear and the consequences of their defeat during Joshua's conquest of Canaan.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The kings fled because they were defeated in battle by Joshua and the Israelites, seeking safety from capture.
Hiding in a cave signifies their desperation and fear of being caught, showing the extent of their defeat.
Makkedah was a key location during the conquest of Canaan, where Joshua captured the kings, demonstrating God's power and the fulfillment of His promises.
This event illustrates the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Canaanite kings, highlighting God's support for Israel as they conquer the land.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What can we learn about fear and desperation from the actions of the kings?
- How does the concept of hiding relate to our own experiences of seeking safety?
- What does this passage teach us about the consequences of conflict and defeat?
- In what ways can we apply the lessons from Joshua's conquest in our own lives?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referenced this passage to discuss themes of conflict and divine intervention, as seen in their writings.
But let us also see what it means when it says there were five kings and they fled into caves. We have often said the battle of Christians is twofold.Early Church Fathers on Joshua 10 →
For if the armed host of the Lord was represented by the trumpets of the priests, we may see in Jericho a type of the overthrow of the world by the preaching of the gospel.Early Church Fathers on Joshua 10 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Joshua 10:16 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleBut these five kings fled,.... They were not killed by hailstones, nor slain by the sword of the Israelites, but made their escape, being reserved by the providence of God for a more shameful end:
Read John Gill on Joshua 10 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryBut these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah. These five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave (Hebrew, the cave) at Makkedah.
Read Robert Jamieson on Joshua 10 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe five kings named above, . In a cave, as a place of most secrecy or security; but there is no escaping the eye or hand of God, who here brought them into a net of their own making. At Makkedah, Heb. in Makkedah; not in the city, for that was not yet taken; but in the territory of it; as in Gibeon, .
Read Matthew Poole on Joshua 10 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsJoshua 10:16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.Ver. 16. But these five kings fled, and hid themselves.] But their covering was too short; divine vengeance discovered them, and brought out to condign punishment. Nemo scelus gerit in pictore, qui non idem Nemesin in tergo. See Amos 9:2 Psalms 139:8-10.
Read John Trapp on Joshua 10 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(16) In a cave.—Literally, in the cave in Makkedah, and so Joshua 10:17.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Joshua 10 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 16. Hid themselves in a cave] It is very likely that this cave was a fortified place among some rocks; for there were many such places in different parts of Palestine.
Read AdamClarke on Joshua 10 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges16–27. Flight and Execution of the Five Kings 16. But these five kings] Here the regular historical narrative is resumed. The second stage in the flight was over. “In the lengthened day granted to Joshua’s prayer” now commences the third stage. The tide of fugitives rolled on, hotly pursued by the Israelites through the pass of Lower Beth-horon to Azekah, and thence to Makkedah.
Read Cambridge on Joshua 10 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe thread of the narrative, broken by the four intermediate verses, Joshua 10:12-15, is now resumed from Joshua 10:11.
Read Albert Barnes on Joshua 10 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
These five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
Now the five kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
The five Amorite kings ran away and hid in the cave at Makkedah.
Tyndale line
But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
And these five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
And these five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.
But the fiue Kings fled and were hid in a caue at Makkedah.
Strictly literal
And these five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
And these five kings flee, and are hidden in a cave at Makkedah,
And these five kings flee, and are hidden in a cave at Makkedah,
But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
Now the five kings had escaped and hidden themselves in the cave at Makkedah.
From the Latin
For the five kings were fled, and had hidden themselves in a cave of the city of Maceda.
Simplified
The five kings had run away and hid in a cave at Makkedah.
But these five kings went in flight secretly to a hole in the rock at Makkedah.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all seven words matched in the Hebrew text. The Septuagint's translation maintains the original meaning without significant variation.
וַיָּנֻ֕סוּ חֲמֵ֖שֶׁת הַמְּלָכִ֣ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיֵּחָבְא֥וּ בַמְּעָרָ֖ה בְּמַקֵּדָֽה׃
7 of the 7 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Joshua 10:16
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
נוּס (nus) is a Hebrew verb meaning to flee or escape. It encompasses various nuances, including taking flight, disappearing, or driving hastily to safety. The word appears in different forms, such as Qal, Polel, Hithpolel, and Hiphil, indicating actions like fleeing, causing to disappear, or putting to flight. An Aramaic equivalent is noted as נוּד (nud).
נוּס 160 vb. flee, escape
Qal
flee
escape
take flight, depart, disappear
fly (to the attack) on horseback.
Po‛lel the breath of י׳ driveth at it, driveth it on
Hithpo‛l. in order to take flight before the bow
Hiph.
put to flight
drive hastily to a safe place
cause to disappear, hide
base
H5127 נוּס flee, escape
5127 nuwc noos
a primitive root; to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape;
causatively, chase, impel, deliver):--X abate, away, be
displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, X hide,
lift up a standard.
נוּס (nus) — to flee.
1) to flee, escape
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to flee
1a2) to escape
1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear
1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback
1b) (Polel) to drive at
1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight
1d) (Hiphil)
1d1) to put to flight
1d2) to drive hastily
1d3) to cause to disappear, hide
Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Qal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/Vqw3mp
חָמֵשׁ (chamesh) means 'five' in Hebrew. It serves as both a cardinal number and can indicate a multiple of five when combined with another number. The word also has an ordinal form, 'fifth.' The entries consistently define this numeral without any noted disagreement.
חָמֵשׁ, חֲמִשָּׁה 342 n.m. and f. five
base
H2568 חָמֵשׁ, חֲמִשָּׁה five
2568 chamesh khaw-maysh'
masculine chamishshah {kham-ish-shaw}; a primitive numeral;
five:--fif(-teen), fifth, five (X apiece).
חָמֵשׁ (cha.mesh) — five.
1) five
1a) five (cardinal number)
1b) a multiple of five (with another number)
1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Adj — AdjHAcbsc
fiv (chamesh; pente).
See NUMBER.
The Hebrew word מֶ֫לֶךְ (*melek*) means 'king.' It is derived from a root that suggests royalty. The term appears in various contexts, including references to specific kings and locations, such as the 'King's Highway' in Numbers 20:17 and the 'King's Valley' in Genesis 14:17. The lexicons note its Aramaic equivalent and mention its use in the context of individuals like Hammelech in Jeremiah.
מֶ֫לֶךְ 2513 n.m. king
base
H4428 מֶ֫לֶךְ king
4428 melek meh'-lek
from 4427; a king:--king, royal.
see HEBREW for 04427
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — king.
1) king
Aramaic equivalent: me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "king" H4430)
הַמֶּלֶךְ (me.lekh) — `the king`.
'the king' or a name, Hammelech in KJV of Jer.36.26; 38.6- a man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
§ A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at Jer.36.26;
father of: Jerahmeel (H3396I) and Malchijah (H4441H); also translated "the king";
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Highway) (Num.20.17)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
Another name of she.lach (שֶׁ֫לַח "Shelah" H7975A)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — Milcom.
Another name of mo.lekh (מֹ֫לֶךְ "Molech" H4432)
מֶ֫לֶךְ (me.lekh) — King's.
King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa
of Judah and Israel. For the list see table at the end of this volume.
אֵ֫לֶּה (el-leh) means 'these' and is used in various grammatical contexts, often in apposition to a noun with a pronoun suffix. It can appear with or without the definite article and is sometimes paired with other terms like וְאֵלֶּה (and these). The word conveys a sense of proximity or specification, referring to particular items or people.
אֵ֫לֶּה pr.pl.m. & f. these
in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)
repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those
with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)
with preps.
base
H428 אֵ֫לֶּה these . in appos. to a subst. with a pron. suff. (always without the article)
. repeated, אלה … ואלה, these … those
. with the art. (but only after a subst. determined likewise by the art.)
. with preps.
428 'el-leh ale'-leh
prolonged from 411; these or those:--an- (the) other; one
sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those,
thus, which, who(-m).
see HEBREW for 0411
אֵ֫לֶּה (el.leh) — these.
1) these
1a) used before antecedent
1b) used following antecedent
Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Art | Pron — Particle · particleHTd/Tm
חָבָא (chaba') is a Hebrew verb meaning to withdraw or hide. It has various forms, including Niph'al (to hide oneself), Pual (to be forced into hiding), and Hiph'il (to hide something). The entries suggest a range of meanings from simply hiding to drawing together or thickening, indicating a nuanced use of the term in different contexts.
[חָבָא] vb. withdraw, hide (not in Qal)
Niph. hide oneself
Pu. have been hidden
Hiph. hide, trans.
Hoph. be hidden
Hithp.
draw back, hide oneself
draw together, thicken, harden
base
H2244 חָבָא withdraw, hide
2244 chaba' khaw-baw'
a primitive root (compare 2245); to secrete:--X held, hide
(self), do secretly.
see HEBREW for 02245
חָבָא (cha.va) — to hide.
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
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp — Verb · Niphal · sequential imperfect third person masculine pluralHc/VNw3mp
מְעָרָה (me'arah) means 'cave' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be dark.' It refers to a cavern or hole, often associated with darkness. The entries consistently define it as a cave, den, or hole, without significant disagreement among lexicons.
מְעָרָה 40 n.f. cave
base
H4631 מְעָרָה, מְעָרָה cave
4631 m`arah meh-aw-raw'
from 5783; a cavern (as dark):--cave, den, hole.
see HEBREW for 05783
מְעָרָה (me.a.rah) — cave.
cave, den, hole
Prep | N-fs — Preposition · noun common feminine singular absoluteHRd/Ncfsa
kav ([me`arah] (compare Arabic magharah), chor (Job 30:6 the King James Version), mechilloth (Isa 2:19); ope (Hebrews 11:38), spelaion (Joh 11:38); chor, more often rendered "hole," is akin to Arabic khaur, "gulf" or "inlet," but is also related to me`arah (compare also Arabic ghaur "low-land," especially of the Jordan valley and Dead Sea). Mechilloth (root, chalal, "to pierce" (compare Arabic khall, "to pierce")) occurs only in Isa 2:19, where the King James Version has "caves" and translates me`aroth in the same verse by "holes." In the Revised Version (British and American) these words are very properly changed…
Cave
There are numerous natural caves among the limestone rocks of Syria, many of which have been artificially enlarged for various purposes.
The first notice of a cave occurs in the history of Lot (Gen. 19:30).
The next we read of is the cave of Machpelah (q.v.), which Abraham purchased from the sons of Heth (Gen. 25:9, 10). It was the burying-place of Sarah and of Abraham himself, also of Isaac, Rebekah, Leah, and Jacob (Gen. 49:31; 50:13).
The cave of Makkedah, into which the five Amorite kings retired after their defeat by Joshua (10:16, 27).
The cave of Adullam (q.v.), an immense natural cavern, where David hid himself from Saul (1 Sam. 22:1, 2).
The most remarkable caves noticed in Scripture are, that in which Lot dwelt after the destruction of Sodom, (Genesis 19:30) the cave of Machpelah, (Genesis 23:17) cave of Makkedah, (Joshua 10:10) cave of Adullam, (1 Samuel 22:1) cave od Engedi, (1 Samuel 24:3) Obadiah’s cave, (1 Kings 18:4) Elijah’s cave in Horeb, (1 Kings 19:9) the rock sepulchres of Lazarus and of our Lord. (Matthew 27:60; John 11:38)…
The geological structure of Judea is highly favorable to the formation of caves; and the whole region abounds with subterranean caverns of various dimensions, often giving rise to small rivulets. These were used as dwellings, places of refuge, and tombs. It was in a cave that Lot resided after the destruction of Sodom, Ge 19:30. Petra, in Idumea, was a city of caves, Nu 24:21 So 2:14 Jer 49:16 Ob 1:3. In the vicinity of Hebron, the poor still live in caves while pasturing their flocks. Natural cavities were sometimes enlarged, and artificial ones made for refuge and defense,
מַקֵּדָה (Maqqedah) refers to a location in Judah, meaning 'place of shepherds.' It is noted for the cave where Joshua captured five Canaanite kings during the conquest of the land. The word is derived from a root related to herding, linking it to the concept of a fold.
מַקֵּדָה n.pr.loc. in Judah, near Beth Horon, and Libnah, where was a cave, captured by Joshua, with a king
base
H4719 מַקֵּדָה
4719 Maqqedah mak-kay-daw'
from the same as 5348 in the denominative sense of herding
(compare 5349); fold; Makkedah, a place in Palestine:--
Makkedah.
see HEBREW for 05348
see HEBREW for 05349
מַקֵּדָה (maq.qe.dah) — Makkedah.
§ 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
Prep | N-proper — Preposition · noun properHR/Npl
ma-ke'-da (maqqedhah; Makeda): A Canaanite royal city which Joshua captured, utterly destroying the inhabitants, and doing to the king as he had done unto the king of Jericho (Jos 10:28; 12:16). It lay in the Shephelah of Judah (Jos 15:41). It was brought into prominence by the flight thither of the 5 kings of the Amorites who, having united their forces for the destruction of Gibeon, were themselves defeated and pursued by Joshua (chapter 10). Seeing their danger, the men of Gibeon sent to the camp at Gilgal beseeching Joshua to save and help them. That energetic commander marched all night with his full strength, fell upon the allies at Gibeon, slew them with a great slaughter, chased the fugitives down the valley by way of Beth-horon, and smote them unto Azekah and unto…
Makkedah
Herdsman’s place, one of the royal cities of the Canaanites (Josh. 12:16), near which was a cave where the five kings who had confederated against Israel sought refuge (10:10-29). They were put to death by Joshua, who afterwards suspended their bodies upon five trees. It has been identified with the modern village called Sumeil, standing on a low hill about 7 miles to the north-west of Eleutheropolis (Beit Jibrin), where are ancient remains and a great cave. The Palestine Exploration surveyors have, however, identified it with el-Mughar, or “the caves,” 3 miles from Jabneh and 2 1/2 southwest of Ekron, because, they say, “at this site only of all possible sites for Makkedah in the Palestine plain do caves still exist.” (See ADONI-ZEDEC.)
(place of shepherds), a place memorable in the annals of the conquest of Canaan as the scene of the execution by Joshua of the five confederate kings, (Joshua 10:10-50) who had hidden themselves in a cave at this place. (It was a royal city of the Canaanites, in the plains of Judah. Conder identifies it with the modern el-Moghar , 25 miles northwest of Jerusalem, where are two caves large enough to contain five men each. Schaff says that "one cave has, curiously enough, five loculi rudely scooped in its side, and an enthusiast might contend that this was the very place of sepulchre of the five kings."-ED.)
A chief city of the Canaanites, near which five confederate kings were defeated, taken in the cave to which they had fled, and executed. It lay in the vicinity of Libnah, Azekah, and Lachish, southwest of Jerusalem, in the tribe of Judah, Jos 10:10-28; 12:16; 15:41.