Joshua 10:19

WEB

but do not stay. Pursue your enemies, and attack them from the rear. Do not allow them to enter into their cities; for the Lord your God has delivered them into your hand."

KJV

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.

Commentary

And stay you not, but pursue after your enemies,.... That is, do not stay at this cave, but having placed a sufficient guard there, go in pursuit of the enemy, with as much celerity as po ssible: and smite the hindmost of them; their rear; or "tail" them (o), as the word is, cut off the tail of them: suffer them not to enter their cities; where they would not only be safe themselves for a while, but would be able to hold out against a siege for some time, and give much trouble to conquer them: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hands; this he said to encourage them, and quicken them to the pursuit of them with all eagerness and vehemence. According to the Samaritan Chronicle (p), the signal or watchword was,"God is strong in battle, God is his name.'' (o) "caudam eorum caedite", Pagninus, Vatablus, Masius, Drusius; "et decaudetis eos", Montanus; "decaudabitis eos", Munster. (p) Apud Hottinger. Smegma, p. 509.