Bible Commentaries
Joshua 6

Introduction

Overview

Joshua 6:1, Jericho is shut up; Joshua 6:2, God instructs Joshua how to besiege it; Joshua 6:12, The city is compassed; Joshua 6:17, It must be accursed; Joshua 6:20, The walls fall down; Joshua 6:22, Rahab is saved; Joshua 6:26, The builder of Jericho is cursed.

Verse 1

was straitly: Heb. did shut up, and was shut up, Joshua 2:7, 2 Kings 17:4

because: Joshua 2:9-14, Joshua 2:24, Psalms 127:1

Reciprocal: Genesis 35:12 - the land Joshua 2:1 - even Jericho Joshua 9:3 - Jericho Joshua 16:7 - Jericho Joshua 18:12 - Jericho Joshua 18:21 - Jericho Joshua 24:11 - the men Psalms 78:55 - cast Ezekiel 1:26 - the appearance of a man Habakkuk 3:12 - didst march Luke 19:1 - Jericho John 1:18 - he hath Acts 5:1 - General Hebrews 11:33 - through

Verse 2

the Lord: Joshua 5:13-15

I have: Joshua 6:9-24, Joshua 2:9, Joshua 2:24, Joshua 8:1, Joshua 11:6-8, Judges 11:21, 2 Samuel 5:19, Nehemiah 9:24, Daniel 2:21, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 4:17, Daniel 4:35, Daniel 5:18

the king: Deuteronomy 7:24, Judges 11:24

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:20 - Angel Joshua 12:9 - Jericho Joshua 20:1 - spake 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever Ezekiel 1:26 - the appearance of a man Ezekiel 10:1 - as the John 1:18 - he hath 1 Corinthians 1:25 - the foolishness

Verse 3

ye shall: Joshua 6:7, Joshua 6:14, Numbers 14:9, 1 Corinthians 1:21-25, 2 Corinthians 4:7

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 25:19 - thou shalt Joshua 6:8 - before the Lord John 2:7 - Fill Hebrews 11:30 - General

Verse 4

trumpets of rams': The words shopheroth hyyovelim, should rather be rendered jubilee, trumpets, i.e., such as were used on the jubilee, which were probably made of horn or silver: for the entrance of the Israelites into Canaan was indeed a jubilee to them - see note on Leviticus 25:11. Instead of the dreadful trumpet of war, they were ordered to sound the trumpet of joy, as already conquerors. Leviticus 25:9, Numbers 10:1-10, Judges 7:7, Judges 7:8, Judges 7:15-22, 2 Chronicles 13:12, 2 Chronicles 20:17, 2 Chronicles 20:19, 2 Chronicles 20:21, Isaiah 27:13, Zechariah 4:6

seven times: Genesis 2:3, Genesis 7:2, Genesis 7:3, Leviticus 4:6, Leviticus 14:16, Leviticus 25:8, Numbers 23:1, 1 Kings 18:43, 2 Kings 5:10, Job 42:8, Zechariah 4:2, Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:20, Revelation 5:1, Revelation 5:6, Revelation 8:2, Revelation 8:6, Revelation 10:3, Revelation 15:1, Revelation 15:7, Revelation 16:1

Reciprocal: Numbers 10:8 - General Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments Joshua 6:8 - before the Lord Joshua 6:15 - only on that day Judges 7:20 - blew Judges 7:22 - blew 1 Samuel 4:3 - Let us 2 Samuel 6:15 - the sound 2 Samuel 15:24 - bearing 2 Kings 4:29 - lay my staff 2 Chronicles 6:41 - the ark 2 Chronicles 7:6 - the priests 2 Chronicles 29:26 - the priests Nehemiah 12:35 - with trumpets Zechariah 9:14 - blow 1 Corinthians 14:8 - General

Verse 5

make a long: Joshua 6:16, Joshua 6:20, Exodus 19:19, 2 Chronicles 20:21, 2 Chronicles 20:22

the people: Judges 7:20-22, 1 Samuel 4:5, 1 Samuel 17:20, 1 Samuel 17:52, 2 Chronicles 13:14, 2 Chronicles 13:15, Jeremiah 50:15

and the wall: The words wenaphelah chomath hair tachteyha, are literally, "and the wall of the city shall fall down under itself;" which appears simply to mean, that the wall shall fall down from its very foundation; which was probably the case in every part, though large breaches in different places might have been amply sufficient first to admit the armed men, after whom the host might enter to destroy the city. There is no ground for the supposition that the walls sunk into the earth. Isaiah 25:12, Isaiah 30:25, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 11:30

flat: Heb. under it

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:17 - There is a noise Numbers 10:9 - if ye go Numbers 20:8 - speak Judges 20:37 - drew themselves along 1 Samuel 4:3 - Let us 2 Samuel 6:15 - the sound 2 Kings 4:29 - lay my staff 2 Chronicles 6:41 - the ark Ezra 3:11 - shouted Psalms 47:5 - sound Ezekiel 26:10 - enter Zechariah 9:14 - blow

Verse 6

Take up the ark: Joshua 6:8, Joshua 6:13, Joshua 3:3, Joshua 3:6, Exodus 25:14, Deuteronomy 20:2-4, Acts 9:1

Reciprocal: Joshua 3:14 - bearing the ark Joshua 6:12 - the priests Joshua 8:33 - priests 2 Samuel 15:24 - bearing 1 Kings 8:3 - the priests took up 1 Chronicles 13:10 - he put 1 Chronicles 15:2 - None ought to 2 Chronicles 5:4 - the Levites 2 Chronicles 5:12 - an hundred

Verse 7

that is armed: Joshua 6:3, Joshua 1:14, Joshua 4:13

Verse 8

before the Lord: Joshua 6:3, Joshua 6:4, Numbers 32:20

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:6 - seven times Joshua 6:6 - Take up the ark

Verse 9

and the rereward: Heb. gathering, host, Joshua 6:13, Numbers 10:25, Isaiah 52:11, Isaiah 58:8

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:2 - I have

Verse 10

any noise with your voice: Heb. your voice to be heard, Isaiah 42:2, Matthew 12:19

until the day: 2 Samuel 5:23, 2 Samuel 5:24, Isaiah 28:16, Luke 24:49, Acts 1:7

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:17 - There is a noise Ezra 3:11 - shouted Ezekiel 21:22 - to lift

Verse 11

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:14 - General

Verse 12

Joshua rose: Joshua 3:1, Genesis 22:3

the priests: Joshua 6:6-8, Deuteronomy 31:25, John 2:5-8, John 6:10, John 6:11, John 9:6, John 9:7, Hebrews 11:7, Hebrews 11:8

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 31:9 - which bare Joshua 8:10 - rose up Judges 7:1 - rose up Judges 20:19 - rose up 2 Chronicles 29:20 - rose

Verse 13

went on: 1 Chronicles 15:26, Matthew 24:13, Galatians 6:9

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:6 - the holy instruments Joshua 6:6 - Take up the ark Joshua 6:9 - and the rereward 2 Kings 5:10 - seven times 2 Chronicles 13:12 - his priests

Verse 14

Joshua 6:3, Joshua 6:11, Joshua 6:15

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:30 - seven days

Verse 15

about the dawning: Psalms 119:147, Matthew 28:1, 2 Peter 1:19

only on that day: Joshua 6:4

Reciprocal: Exodus 29:30 - seven days Joshua 6:14 - General 1 Kings 20:29 - seven days

Verse 16

Shout: Joshua 6:5, Judges 7:20-22, 2 Chronicles 13:15, 2 Chronicles 20:22, 2 Chronicles 20:23

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:17 - There is a noise Deuteronomy 2:24 - behold Judges 7:22 - blew Judges 18:10 - God hath Ezra 3:11 - shouted

Verse 17

accursed: or, devoted, Joshua 7:1, Leviticus 27:28, Leviticus 27:29, Numbers 21:2, Numbers 21:3, 1 Corinthians 2:7, Ezra 10:8, *marg. Isaiah 34:6, Jeremiah 46:10, Ezekiel 39:17, Micah 4:13, 1 Corinthians 16:22, Galatians 3:10, Galatians 3:12

only Rahab: Joshua 2:1

because: Joshua 6:22, Joshua 6:23, Joshua 2:4-6, Joshua 2:22, Genesis 12:3, 1 Samuel 15:6, Matthew 10:41, Matthew 10:42, Matthew 25:40, Hebrews 6:10, Hebrews 11:31, James 2:25

Reciprocal: Leviticus 27:21 - devoted Deuteronomy 7:2 - utterly Deuteronomy 7:26 - shalt Deuteronomy 13:15 - destroying it utterly Deuteronomy 20:16 - General Joshua 2:14 - when the Lord Joshua 7:11 - the accursed Joshua 10:40 - as the Lord 1 Samuel 14:24 - Cursed 1 Samuel 15:3 - utterly destroy 1 Samuel 22:19 - men 2 Kings 2:19 - the water Ezekiel 9:6 - old Romans 9:3 - were

Verse 18

in any wise: Romans 12:9, 2 Corinthians 6:17, Ephesians 5:11, James 1:27, 1 John 5:21

lest ye make: Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:11, Joshua 7:12, Joshua 7:15, Deuteronomy 7:26, Deuteronomy 13:17

make the camp: Joshua 7:11, Joshua 7:12, Joshua 22:18-20, 1 Samuel 14:28-42, Ecclesiastes 9:18, Jonah 1:12

and trouble it: Joshua 7:25, 2 Samuel 21:1, 1 Kings 18:17, 1 Kings 18:18

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 23:9 - General Joshua 7:24 - his sons 1 Chronicles 2:7 - accursed Proverbs 3:33 - curse Proverbs 10:22 - he Proverbs 15:27 - He that is Jeremiah 25:18 - to make Romans 9:3 - were Hebrews 12:15 - trouble

Verse 19

all the silver: 2 Samuel 8:11, 1 Chronicles 18:11, 1 Chronicles 26:20, 1 Chronicles 26:26, 1 Chronicles 26:28, 1 Chronicles 28:12, 2 Chronicles 15:18, 2 Chronicles 31:12, Isaiah 23:17, Isaiah 23:18, Micah 4:13

consecrated: Heb. holiness, Leviticus 19:24, *marg. Zechariah 14:20, Zechariah 14:21

the treasury: 1 Kings 7:51, 1 Kings 14:26, 2 Kings 24:13, 1 Chronicles 26:20, Nehemiah 7:70, Nehemiah 7:71, Nehemiah 10:38, Jeremiah 38:11, Matthew 27:6, Mark 12:41

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:28 - levy Joshua 6:24 - only the silver 2 Samuel 21:2 - the Amorites 1 Chronicles 26:27 - Out Ezra 10:8 - forfeited Luke 21:1 - the treasury

Verse 20

the wall: Joshua 6:5, 2 Corinthians 10:4, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Hebrews 11:30

flat: Heb. under it

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:17 - There is a noise Exodus 34:10 - I will do marvels Numbers 20:8 - speak Joshua 2:15 - for her house Judges 7:8 - trumpets Judges 7:20 - blew Judges 7:22 - blew 2 Chronicles 13:15 - as the men Psalms 111:6 - showed Jeremiah 50:15 - Shout Ezekiel 21:22 - to lift Ezekiel 26:10 - enter

Verse 21

And they: The Canaanites were ripe for destruction; and God was pleased, instead of destroying them by a pestilence, a famine, or an earthquake, to employ the Israelites as the executioners of his vengeance. Had an angel been commissioned to slay them, who would have charged him with iniquity or cruelty? In all public calamities infants are involved; and tens of thousands of infants die in great agony every year. Now, either God is not the agent in these calamities - which opinion, though often implied in men's reasonings on these subjects, is not far from atheism or they must consist with the most perfect justice and goodness.

utterly: Joshua 9:24, Joshua 9:25, Joshua 10:28, Joshua 10:39, Joshua 11:14, Deuteronomy 2:34, Deuteronomy 7:2, Deuteronomy 7:3, Deuteronomy 7:16, Deuteronomy 20:16, Deuteronomy 20:17, 1 Samuel 15:3, 1 Samuel 15:8, 1 Samuel 15:18, 1 Samuel 15:19, 1 Kings 20:42, Psalms 137:8, Psalms 137:9, Jeremiah 48:18, Revelation 18:21

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:15 - General Joshua 7:24 - his sons Joshua 8:2 - do to Ai Joshua 8:22 - let none Joshua 10:1 - as he had Joshua 10:29 - Libnah 1 Samuel 22:19 - men 1 Samuel 27:9 - and the camels Jeremiah 44:7 - to cut Lamentations 2:21 - young

Verse 22

Joshua: Joshua 6:17, Joshua 2:1-24

as ye sware unto her: Joshua 2:12-14, Joshua 2:17-20, Joshua 9:15, Joshua 9:18-20, 2 Samuel 21:2, 2 Samuel 21:7, Psalms 15:4, Ezekiel 17:13, Ezekiel 17:16, Ezekiel 17:18, Ezekiel 17:19, Hebrews 11:31

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:12 - Hast Genesis 19:16 - brought Judges 1:25 - they smote Ezekiel 9:6 - but Matthew 1:5 - Rachab James 2:25 - when

Verse 23

out Rahab: Joshua 2:18, Genesis 12:2, Genesis 18:24, Genesis 19:29, Acts 27:24, Hebrews 11:7

kindred: Heb. families

left them: Numbers 5:2, Numbers 5:3, Numbers 31:19, Acts 10:28, 1 Corinthians 5:12, Ephesians 2:12

Reciprocal: Genesis 19:12 - Hast Genesis 42:9 - Ye are spies Joshua 6:17 - because

Verse 24

burnt: Joshua 8:28, Deuteronomy 13:16, 2 Kings 25:9, Revelation 17:16, Revelation 18:8

only the silver: Joshua 6:19

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:10 - General Numbers 31:28 - levy Deuteronomy 13:15 - destroying it utterly Joshua 8:8 - set the city 2 Samuel 10:5 - Jericho 1 Kings 15:13 - and burnt 1 Chronicles 19:5 - at Jericho Luke 21:1 - the treasury

Verse 25

Rahab: Joshua 11:19, Joshua 11:20, Judges 1:24, Judges 1:25, Acts 2:21, Hebrews 11:31

she dwelleth: Matthew 1:5

unto: Joshua 4:9

because: James 2:25

Reciprocal: Joshua 2:1 - harlot's house Joshua 2:14 - when the Lord

Verse 26

adjured: This is to be regarded as a prediction, that he who rebuilded this city should lose all his children in the interim between the laying of the foundation to the completion of the walls. Numbers 5:19-21, 1 Samuel 14:24-46, 1 Kings 22:16, Matthew 26:63, Acts 19:13

Cursed: 1 Kings 16:34, Malachi 1:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 27:7 - before the Leviticus 27:28 - no devoted Numbers 5:21 - an oath Numbers 21:2 - I will Deuteronomy 13:16 - an heap Deuteronomy 13:17 - the Lord Joshua 16:7 - Jericho Judges 9:57 - upon them 2 Kings 2:4 - Jericho 2 Kings 2:19 - the water Daniel 2:5 - made Habakkuk 2:12 - him Luke 19:1 - Jericho Acts 23:12 - under a curse

Verse 27

the Lord: Joshua 1:5, Joshua 1:9, Genesis 39:2, Genesis 39:3, Genesis 39:21, Deuteronomy 31:6, Matthew 18:20, Matthew 28:20, Acts 18:9, Acts 18:10, 2 Corinthians 13:14, 2 Timothy 4:17, 2 Timothy 4:22

his fame: Joshua 9:1, Joshua 9:3, Joshua 9:9, 1 Samuel 2:30, 2 Samuel 7:9, Matthew 4:24, Matthew 14:1

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 18:14 - the Lord 1 Chronicles 14:17 - fame of David Esther 9:4 - his fame Luke 19:1 - Jericho