Bible Commentaries
Joshua 6

Verse 1

was straitly shut up. Hebrew "was shutting up and was shut up". Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ) for emphasis, thus beautifully rendered. See note on Genesis 26:28 .

children = sons.

Verse 2

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah . App-4 .

said. This is the continuation of the Captain's words, Joshua 5:15 . See note on Joshua 3:7 .

See. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

I have given. It was Jehovah's to give.

men. Hebrew, plural of ish or 'enosh. App-14 .

Verse 4

rams' horns = trumpets of Jubilee, of long sound. Exodus 19:13 .

the seventh day = on the seventh day.

Verse 5

flat = under it. Probably into the ground. Compare Joshua 11:13 .Jeremiah 49:2 . See note on Joshua 6:20 .

every man = Hebrew. ish App-14 .

Verse 7

he. In Hebrew text written "they", but read "he". In some codices, with five early printed editions, both written and read "he".

Verse 8

before . Some codices, with five early printed editions, and Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, add "the ark of".

Verse 9

went = marching.

rereward = the main or central body. Compare Numbers 10:25 .

came = marched.

going = marching.

Verse 10

make = cause your voice to be heard.

Verse 16

the seventh time. Compare Hebrews 11:30 .

Verse 17

accursed = devoted. Probably because this was the "first-fruit" of conquest. Numbers 31:54 . Compare Joshua 6:19 .

she hid. Compare Joshua 2:4 .

Verse 18

trouble it. A warning of Achan's sin (Joshua 7:25 ).

Verse 19

vessels = utensils, or weapons.

are. Hebrew "they are".

consecrated = holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 20

flat = under itself. Compare Joshua 6:5 . Jericho was thrice built, and thrice destroyed; no that the city of Joshua's time has not yet been reached by recent excavations. The city, rebuilt by Hiel in Ahab's reign (822-790 B.C.) was captured by the Herodians (3 B.C.) and rebuilt by Archelaus (A.D. 2). This was the Jericho of our Lord's day, which was destroyed by Vespasian, 7 A.D.

Verse 21

destroyed devoted to destruction Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), to be thus supplied.

with the edge = according to the mouth. "Mouth" by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 = without quarter.

Verse 22

all that she bath = all her household, Joshua 6:17 .

as = according as. Compare Joshua 2:14 .Hebrews 11:31 .

Verse 23

and. Note the Figure of speech Potysyndeton in verses: Joshua 6:23-25 . App-6 .

Verse 25

Rahab. Compare Matthew 1:4-5 . Married to Salmon, in the line of the Messiah.

in = in the midst of.

unto this day. Written therefore during her life

Verse 26

man. Hebrew. ish App-14 .

buildeth this city i.e. its walla and gates (Joshua 6:26 ), for Joshua himself gave it to the Benjamltes, Joshua 18:12 . Compare 2 Samuel 10:5 . See note on Joshua 6:20 .

he shall lay. Prophecy fulfilled in Hiel the Beth-elite. 1 Kings 16:34 .

in = in [the death of] his firstborn.