Joshua 6:5

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long [blast] with the ram's horn, [and] when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then they are to blow a long blast on the shofar. On hearing the sound of the shofar, all the people are to shout as loudly as they can; and the wall of the city will fall down flat. Then the people are to go up into the city, each one straight from where he stands."

Berean Standard Bible:

And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city.”

American Standard Version:

And it shall be, that, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall go up every man straight before him.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long{H4900} blast with the ram's{H3104} horn{H7161}, and when ye hear{H8085} the sound{H6963} of the trumpet{H7782}, all the people{H5971} shall shout{H7321} with a great{H1419} shout{H8643}; and the wall{H2346} of the city{H5892} shall fall down{H5307} flat{H8478}, and the people{H5971} shall ascend up{H5927} every man{H376} straight before him.

Cross-References (KJV):

2 Corinthians 10:4

  • (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

2 Corinthians 10:5

  • Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Hebrews 11:30

  • By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

Exodus 19:19

  • And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.

1 Samuel 17:20

  • And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.

Joshua 6:20

  • So the people shouted when [the priests] blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Judges 7:20

  • And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow [withal]: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

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Commentary for Joshua 6:5



Joshua 6:5 is a verse set within the narrative of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, specifically during the battle of Jericho. This verse is part of the instructions given by God to Joshua, the leader of Israel, detailing the unconventional strategy to capture the fortified city of Jericho. In the broader historical context, the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, are in the process of claiming the land that God promised to their ancestors.

The verse encapsulates several key themes:

1. **Divine Strategy**: The verse highlights the unique battle plan given by God, which contrasts with typical military tactics of the time. It underscores the theme of divine guidance in warfare and the importance of obedience to God's commands.

2. **Faith and Obedience**: The Israelites are asked to trust in God's power rather than their own strength or military might. The instructions given in the verse require the people to act in faith, following God's plan precisely, which includes the priests blowing trumpets and the people shouting upon hearing the long blast.

3. **Supernatural Intervention**: The anticipated outcome of the people's obedience is explicitly supernatural: the city walls, a formidable obstacle, are to fall down flat, allowing the Israelites to enter and capture Jericho. This expected miracle emphasizes God's omnipotence and His ability to intervene directly in human affairs.

4. **The Fall of Jericho as a Sign**: The destruction of Jericho's walls serves as a sign of God's power to both the Israelites and their enemies. It reinforces the idea that the land of Canaan is being given to the Israelites by divine decree.

In summary, Joshua 6:5 is a pivotal verse within the story of the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land. It conveys themes of divine intervention, the necessity of faith and obedience, and the assurance of God's power to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The verse captures a moment of transition, as the Israelites move from a period of wandering to one of settlement, with Jericho being the first of many cities they are to conquer.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H4900
    There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מָשַׁךְ
    Transliteration: mâshak
    Pronunciation: maw-shak'
    Description: a primitive root; to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.); draw (along, out), continue, defer, extend, forbear, [idiom] give, handle, make (pro-, sound) long, [idiom] sow, scatter, stretch out.
  2. Strong's Number: H3104
    There are 25 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יוֹבֵל
    Transliteration: yôwbêl
    Pronunciation: yo-bale'
    Description: or יֹבֵל; apparently from יָבַל; the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus introduced; jubile, ram's horn, trumpet.
  3. Strong's Number: H7161
    There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קֶרֶן
    Transliteration: qeren
    Pronunciation: keh'-ren
    Description: from קָרַן; a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively, power; [idiom] hill, horn.
  4. Strong's Number: H8085
    There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׁמַע
    Transliteration: shâmaʻ
    Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
    Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
  5. Strong's Number: H6963
    There are 436 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קוֹל
    Transliteration: qôwl
    Pronunciation: kole
    Description: or קֹל; from an unused root meaning to call aloud; a voice or sound; [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell.
  6. Strong's Number: H7782
    There are 63 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שׁוֹפָר
    Transliteration: shôwphâr
    Pronunciation: sho-far'
    Description: or שֹׁפָר; from שָׁפַר in the original sense of incising; a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn; cornet, trumpet.
  7. Strong's Number: H5971
    There are 1654 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עַם
    Transliteration: ʻam
    Pronunciation: am
    Description: from עָמַם; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock; folk, men, nation, people.
  8. Strong's Number: H7321
    There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: רוּעַ
    Transliteration: rûwaʻ
    Pronunciation: roo-ah'
    Description: a primitive root; to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e. shout (for alarm or joy); blow an alarm, cry (alarm, aloud, out), destroy, make a joyful noise, smart, shout (for joy), sound an alarm, triumph.
  9. Strong's Number: H1419
    There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גָּדוֹל
    Transliteration: gâdôwl
    Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
    Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very.
  10. Strong's Number: H8643
    There are 33 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תְּרוּעָה
    Transliteration: tᵉrûwʻâh
    Pronunciation: ter-oo-aw'
    Description: from רוּעַ; clamor, i.e. acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangorof trumpets, as an alarum; alarm, blow(-ing) (of, the) (trumpets), joy, jubile, loud noise, rejoicing, shout(-ing), (high, joyful) sound(-ing).
  11. Strong's Number: H2346
    There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חוֹמָה
    Transliteration: chôwmâh
    Pronunciation: kho-maw'
    Description: feminine active participle of an unused root apparently meaning to join; a wall of protection; wall, walled.
  12. Strong's Number: H5892
    There are 937 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עִיר
    Transliteration: ʻîyr
    Pronunciation: eer
    Description: or (in the plural) עָר; or עָיַר; (Judges 10:4), from עוּר; a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post); Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town.
  13. Strong's Number: H5307
    There are 403 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָפַל
    Transliteration: nâphal
    Pronunciation: naw-fal'
    Description: a primitive root; to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative); be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for פָּלַל), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down.
  14. Strong's Number: H8478
    There are 24 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: תַּחַת
    Transliteration: tachath
    Pronunciation: takh'-ath
    Description: from the same as תּוֹחַ; the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc.; as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with.
  15. Strong's Number: H5927
    There are 817 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עָלָה
    Transliteration: ʻâlâh
    Pronunciation: aw-law'
    Description: a primitive root; to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative; arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work.
  16. Strong's Number: H376
    There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִישׁ
    Transliteration: ʼîysh
    Pronunciation: eesh
    Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.