Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 10:26
And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.
26. Joshua smote them ] The actual execution of the kings he reserved for his own hands.
hanged them ] “Hongide upon fiue stokkis,” Wyclif; or suspended their bodies after death. Comp. Deu 21:23; Jos 8:29. In like manner Joshua had done to the king of Ai; Jos 8:29.
on five trees ] Each body on its own tree.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 26. Smote – slew – and hanged them on five trees] Hanging alive seems a barbarous custom: among the Hebrews, criminals were first deprived of life; this was the debt required by justice: then they were hanged up, perhaps generally by the hands, not by the neck; this was done by way of example, to deter others from committing the crimes for which those had suffered: but they were never permitted to hang thus exposed all night, as this could have answered no purpose, either of justice or example, as they could not be seen in the night-season. One day also was deemed enough for their exposure, it being thought sufficient to show the public that justice had been executed; and to have exhibited them longer would have appeared to be a barbarous cruelty which attempted to extend punishment beyond the possible requisitions of justice. See Clarke on De 21:23.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
He hanged them, after they were dead, as a brand of infamy, and for the terror and instruction of others.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And afterwards Joshua smote them and slew them,…. With the sword; either by his own hands, or by others whom he ordered to slay them:
and hanged them on five trees; to their shame and disgrace, and the terror of others:
and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening; by way of contempt of them, and as a spectacle of terror to others, especially to the inhabitants of Makkedah, and their king they were now besieging.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(26) And hanged them.Here the hanging appears to have been a token of disgrace after death. Upon the cross of the true Joshua, the enemies of the Israel of God are exhibited. He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Col. 2:15).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
26. Joshua smote them Here observe, they were slain before they were hung. This summary infliction of capital punishment so abhorrent to the humane spirit of our Christian civilization, was in accordance with the character of that age and people, who would have construed mercy as cowardice. European nations in their wars with the semi-barbarous Orientals of modern times are compelled to adopt the severe war-code of those nations. Compare the note on Jos 8:29.
Hanged them on five trees As a mark of further indignity, and to strike the enemy with increased terror.
Until the evening See on Jos 8:29.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And afterwards Joshua smote them and slew them, and hung them on five trees, and they were hanging on the trees until the evening.’
The necessary executions had then to follow, for YHWH had commanded the slaying of all Canaanites who would not leave Canaan. And after they were dead their bodies were hung on trees as a warning to all around of what would be done to them if they troubled Israel. News would soon spread and fear would fill the hearts of the hearers. But in accordance with the Law the bodies were taken down at sunset lest they defile the land (Deu 21:23). Note the repetition of the idea of slaying in order to emphasise the fact to listeners.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 26, 27. And afterward Joshua smote them, &c. He hung these five kings; and at the sun-setting they were taken down from their gibbets by his orders, lest the land which God had chosen to inhabit should be defiled by their dead bodies. Deu 21:23. Thus the king of Ai had been before executed. Maimonides and the Samaritan Chronicle add, that, together with the bodies of the five kings, Joshua caused the instruments of their punishment, and all that had been used for the purpose, to be shut up in the cave of Makkedah. This cave served as a sepulchre to the five vanquished princes, and was again blocked up by a heap of stones to serve as a monument of their tragical end, and of the triumph of the conquerors. Travellers inform us, that this cavern is still to be seen, and that it is inclosed with walls.
REFLECTIONS.We have here,
1. News brought to Joshua of the discovery of the five kings, who had fled for concealment into a cave near Makkedah. To secure them there, great stones are rolled to the mouth of it, and, without staying to execute on them the intended judgment, the people are commanded to continue their pursuit. Note; When our spiritual enemies are falling, we must pursue the blow: the more complete the conquest, the more glorious the future triumph. 2. The pursuit is continued, and ended; the few who escaped the sword, only escaped to spread the terror of the defeat into the neighbouring cities, while Israel returned to Joshua at Makkedah, without the loss of a man. So easily can God turn the fury of the greatest persecutors into perfect tranquillity, and, after the severest storm has threatened, say, Peace, be still; and there shall be a great calm. 3. Now the kings are brought from their concealment, undergo the severest humiliation, and afterwards suffer the death which their pride, idolatry, and tyranny had merited. The captains are commanded to tread on their necks, not haughtily to insult their misery, but by way of terror to the kings of Canaan, and as an assurance that thus should all their enemies be laid low before them. They need not fear or be dismayed at the most numerous armies or mightiest kings, when God thus evidently fights for them. Note; (1.) The sinner who flies from God will find his securest retreat but a refuge of lies. (2.) Our triumphant Jesus has thus destroyed the principalities and powers of darkness, and will shortly bruise Satan, and all the other enemies of his people, under their feet.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
“Remain until this very day, ” doth not mean the day of the Reader’s perusal of the history: but the day of the history itself being recorded.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 10:26 And afterward Joshua smote them, and slew them, and hanged them on five trees: and they were hanging upon the trees until the evening.
Ver. 26. Hanged them on five trees. ] See Jos 8:26 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Joshua: Jdg 8:21, 1Sa 15:33
hanged: Jos 8:29, Num 25:4, Deu 21:22, Deu 21:23, 2Sa 21:6, 2Sa 21:9, Est 2:23, Est 7:9, Est 7:10, Mat 27:25, Gal 3:13
Reciprocal: Gen 40:19 – hang thee