Joshua 5:15

And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy. And Joshua did so.

And the captain {H8269} of the LORD'S {H3068} host {H6635} said {H559} unto Joshua {H3091}, Loose {H5394} thy shoe {H5275} from off thy foot {H7272}; for the place {H4725} whereon thou standest {H5975} is holy {H6944}. And Joshua {H3091} did {H6213} so.

The commander of ADONAI's army answered Y'hoshua, "Take your sandals off your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy." And Y'hoshua did so.

The Commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

And the prince of Jehovah’s host said unto Joshua, Put off thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

Commentary

Context

Joshua 5:15 occurs at a pivotal moment in the Israelites' history, just after they have miraculously crossed the Jordan River into the Promised Land and observed the Passover at Gilgal. The nation has been circumcised, signifying their renewed covenant with God. This divine encounter with the "Captain of the LORD'S host" serves as a crucial spiritual preparation immediately before the formidable challenge of conquering Jericho, the first major city in Canaan.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence and Holiness: The central message is that God's presence sanctifies a place. The command to "loose thy shoe from off thy foot" is a direct parallel to Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush in Exodus 3:5, emphasizing that Joshua is standing on holy ground. This signifies the sacredness of the moment and the awe-inspiring nature of God's direct intervention.
  • Submission and Reverence: Joshua's immediate obedience demonstrates his humility and respect before divine authority. By removing his shoes, he acknowledges the superior rank and holiness of the Captain, signifying his readiness to submit to God's will and leadership for the upcoming battles.
  • God's True Leadership: The "Captain of the LORD'S host" is often interpreted as a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ (a Christophany), indicating that God Himself is the true commander of Israel's army. This encounter reassures Joshua that victory in Canaan will come not through human might but through divine power and strategy, affirming the promise given in Joshua 1:9.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Captain of the LORD'S host" translates from the Hebrew `sar-tsava Adonai` (שַׂר-צְבָא יְהוָה), meaning "prince of the army of Yahweh" or "commander of the Lord's army." This title emphasizes a divine military leader. The word "holy" is `qodesh` (קֹדֶשׁ), meaning set apart, consecrated, or sacred. The act of removing shoes in ancient Near Eastern cultures was a common sign of respect and humility when entering a sacred place or standing before a person of great authority.

Practical Application

Joshua 5:15 reminds believers today of the profound holiness of God's presence. It calls us to approach God with reverence, humility, and a spirit of submission, recognizing His supreme authority in our lives. Just as Joshua was prepared for battle through this divine encounter, we are encouraged to seek God's presence and guidance before facing our own challenges, trusting that He is the ultimate leader and source of victory.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 3:5 (9 votes)

    And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest [is] holy ground.

  • Acts 7:32 (7 votes)

    [Saying], I [am] the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.

  • Acts 7:33 (7 votes)

    Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

  • 2 Peter 1:18 (1 votes)

    And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.