Joshua 10:19

Verse

But 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.”

American Standard Version (1901)

but stay not ye; pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for Jehovah your God hath delivered them into your hand.

Bible in Basic English

But do you, without waiting, go after their army, attacking them from the back; do not let them get into their towns, for the Lord your God has given them into your hands.

Free Bible Version

But don't you stay there. Chase the enemy down and attack them from the rear. Don't let them escape to their towns for the Lord has given them to you to defeat.”

Geneva Bible 1599

But stand ye not still: follow after your enemies, and smite all the hindmost, suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath giuen them into your hand.

King James (Authorized) Version

And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand.

Translation for Translators

But do not stay there! Pursue our enemies! Attack them from behind! Do not allow them to escape to their cities, because Yahweh, our God, will enable you to defeat/kill them. [IDM]”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Do not stay yourselves. Pursue your enemies and attack them from the rear. Do not permit them to enter into their cities, because Yahweh your God has given them into your hand.”

Noah Webster Bible

And stay you not, but pursue your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the LORD your God hath delivered them into your hand.

World English Bible

but don’t stay there. Pursue your enemies, and attack them from the rear. Don’t allow them to enter into their cities; for Yahweh your God has delivered them into your hand.”

Young's Literal Translation

and ye, stand not, pursue after your enemies, and ye have smitten the hindmost of them; suffer them not to go in unto their cities, for Jehovah your God hath given them into your hand.'

Context

The Victory 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.”

Summary

In Joshua 10:19, after the defeat of the five Amorite kings, Joshua instructed his men to roll large stones against the cave where the kings were hiding to prevent their escape. This strategic move ensured the total victory of the Israelites over their enemies. The action symbolizes the importance of decisively dealing with sin and evil in our lives, leaving no room for them to resurface and cause further harm. It serves as a reminder of the need to take proactive steps to eliminate sources of temptation and opposition to fully experience the triumph and blessings God has in store for us.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And it came to pass, when Joshua and the children of Israel,.... Joshua seems to have pitched his camp at Makkedah, while the rest of his army pursued the fleeing Canaanites, and when he and they were at different places: had made an end of slaying them with a very great slaughter, till they were consumed: and not to be seen in any large bodies, but scattered here and there: that the rest which remained of them entered into fenced cities; to which they belonged, and which were afterwards taken, as related in the latter part of this chapter, Jos 10:28.