And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them.
When they brought those kings out to Joshua, he called all the men of Israel together. He told the military commanders who had fought with him, 'Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.' So they came forward and put their feet on their necks.
Joshua had his military commanders symbolically demonstrate their complete victory over the defeated enemy kings by placing their feet on their necks.
📚 Historical Context
This event occurred during Israel's conquest of Canaan, after Joshua's famous victory where the sun stood still. The five Amorite kings had hidden in a cave at Makkedah after their armies were defeated. Placing feet on an enemy's neck was an ancient Near Eastern symbol of total conquest and domination, often depicted in Egyptian and Mesopotamian art.
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