Joshua 10:27

27 At sunset Joshua commanded that they be taken down from the trees^[a][b]and thrown into the cave where they had hidden. Then large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are there to this day.

Joshua 10:27 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 10:27

And it came to pass, at the time of the going down of the
sun
Which was the time fixed by the law of God for taking down bodies that were hanged, ( Deuteronomy 21:23 ) ;

[that] Joshua commanded, and they took them down off the trees;
not from, any respect to them, but that they might not defile the land, as dead bodies in a ceremonial sense did, ( Deuteronomy 21:23 ) ; and this Joshua was the more careful of, as they were just entered into it, and were taking possession of it:

and they cast them into the cave wherein they had been hid;
so that what had been their hiding place now became their grave; and according to the Samaritan Chronicle ^F17, the trees also on which they were hanged were cast in with them;

and laid great stones in the cave's mouth:
not as a monumental pile, as in the instances of Achan and the king of Ai, ( Joshua 7:26 ) ( 8:29 ) ; but to prevent their carcasses being dragged out, and eaten by wild beasts, as some think; or that they might not be taken out, and buried in a more honourable manner:

[which remain] until this very day;
when Joshua was grown old, the writer of this book.

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 Apud Hottinger. Smegma. p. 511.

Joshua 10:27 In-Context

25 Joshua said to them, "Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for the Lord will do this to all the enemies you fight."

26 After this, Joshua struck them down and executed them. He hung their bodies on five trees and they were there until evening.

27 At sunset Joshua commanded that they be taken down from the treesand thrown into the cave where they had hidden. Then large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are there to this day.

28 On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and struck it down with the sword, including its king. He completely destroyed it and everyone in it, leaving no survivors. So he treated the king of Makkedah as he had the king of Jericho.

29 Joshua and all Israel with him crossed from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or wooden stakes
• [b]. Dt 21:22-23