TRV
Translation
King James Version
So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
Complete Jewish Bible
So he had the ark of ADONAI make a circle around the city, going around it once; then they returned to camp and stayed in the camp.
Berean Standard Bible
So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. And the people returned to the camp and spent the night there.
American Standard Version
So he caused the ark of Jehovah to compass the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
World English Bible Messianic
So he caused the LORD’s ark to go around the city, going about it once. Then they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
Geneva Bible (1599)
So the Arke of the Lord compassed the citie, and went about it once: then they returned into the hoaste, and lodged in the campe.
Young's Literal Translation
And the ark of Jehovah doth compass the city, going round once, and they come into the camp, and lodge in the camp.
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Commentary on Joshua 6 verses 6–16
6 ¶ And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.
7 And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.
8 And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.
9 And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
11 So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.
15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
We have here an account of the cavalcade which Israel made about Jericho, the orders Joshua gave concerning it, as he had received them from the Lord and their punctual observance of these orders. We do not find that he gave the people the express assurances God had given him that he would deliver the city into their hands; but he tried whether they would obey orders with a general confidence that it would end well, and we find them very observant both of God and Joshua.
I. Wherever the ark went the people attended it, Jos 6:9. The armed men went before it to clear the way, not thinking it any disparagement to them, though they were men of war, to be pioneers to the ark of God. If any obstacle should be found in crossing the roads that led to the city (which they must do in walking round it) they would remove it; if any opposition should be made by the enemy, they would encounter it, that the priests' march with the ark might be easy and safe. It is an honour to the greatest men to do any good office to the ark and to serve the interests of religion in their country. The rereward, either another body of armed men, or Dan's squadron, which marched last through the wilderness, or, as some think, the multitude of the people who were not armed or disciplined for war (as many of them as would) followed the ark, to testify their respect to it, to grace the solemnity, and to be witnesses of what was done. Every faithful zealous Israelite would be willing to undergo the same fatigues and run the same hazard with the priests that bore the ark.
II. Seven priests went immediately before the ark, having trumpets in their hands, with which they were continually sounding, Jos 6:4, Jos 6:5, Jos 6:9, Jos 6:13. The priests were God's ministers, and thus in his name, 1. They proclaimed war with the Canaanites, and so stuck a terror upon them; for by terrors upon their spirits they were to be conquered and subdued. Thus God's ministers, by the solemn declarations of his wrath against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, must blow the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in the holy mountain, that the sinners in Zion may be afraid. They are God's heralds to denounce war against all those that go on still in their trespasses, but say, "We shall have peace, though we go on." 2. They proclaimed God's gracious presence with Israel, and so put life and courage into them. It was appointed that when they went to war the priests should encourage them with the assurance of God's presence with them, Deu 20:2-4. And particularly their blowing with trumpets was to be a sign to the people that they should be remembered before the Lord Their God in the day of battle, Num 10:9. It encouraged Abijah, Ch2 13:12. Thus God's ministers, by sounding the Jubilee trumpet of the everlasting gospel, which proclaims liberty and victory, must encourage the good soldiers of Jesus Christ in their spiritual warfare.
III. The trumpets they used were not those silver trumpets which were appointed to be made for their ordinary service, but trumpets of rams' horns, bored hollow for the purpose, as some think. These trumpets were of the basest matter, dullest sound, and least show, that the excellency of the power might be of God. Thus by the foolishness of preaching, fitly compared to the sounding of these rams' horns, the devil's kingdom is thrown down; and the weapons of our warfare, though they are not carnal nor seem to a carnal eye likely to bring any thing to pass, are yet mighty through God to the pulling down of strong-holds, Co2 10:4, Co2 10:5. The word here is trumpets of Jobel, that is, such trumpets as they used to blow withal in the year of jubilee; so many interpreters understand it, as signifying the complete liberty to which Israel was now brought, and the bringing of the land of Canaan into the hands of its just and rightful owners.
IV. All the people were commanded to be silent, not to speak a word, nor make any noise (Jos 6:10), that they might the more carefully attend to the sound of the sacred trumpets, which they were now to look upon as the voice of God among them; and it does not become us to speak when God is speaking. It likewise intimates their reverent expectation of the event. Zac 2:13, Be silent, O all flesh, before the Lord. Exo 14:14, God shall fight, and you shall hold your peace.
V. They were to do this once a day for six days together and seven times the seventh day, and they did so, Jos 6:14, Jos 6:15. God could have caused the walls of Jericho to fall upon the first surrounding of them, but they must go round them thirteen times before they fall, that they might be kept waiting patiently for the Lord. Though they had lately come into Canaan, and their time was very precious (for they had a great deal of work before them), yet they must linger so many days about Jericho, seeming to do nothing, nor to make any progress in their business. As promised deliverances must be expected in God's way, so they must be expected in his time. He that believes does not make haste, not more haste than God would have him make. Go yet seven times, before any thing hopeful appears, Kg1 18:43.
VI. One of these days must needs be a sabbath day, and the Jews say that it was the last, but this is not certain; however, if he that appointed them to rest on the other sabbath days appointed them to walk on this, that was sufficient to justify them in it; he never intended to bind himself by his own laws, but that when he pleased he might dispense with them. The impotent man went upon this principle when he argued (Joh 5:11), He that made me whole (and therefore has a divine power) said unto me, Take up thy bed. And, in this case here, it was an honour to the sabbath day, by which our time is divided into weeks, that just seven days were to be spent in this work, and seven priests were employed to sound seven trumpets, this number being, on this occasion, as well as many others, made remarkable, in remembrance of the six day's work of creation and the seventh day's rest from it. And, besides, the law of the sabbath forbids our own work, which is servile and secular, but this which they did was a religious act. It is certainly no breach of the sabbath rest to do the sabbath work, for the sake of which the rest was instituted; and what is the sabbath work but to attend the ark in all its motions?
VII. They continued to do this during the time appointed, and seven times the seventh day, though they saw not any effect of it, believing that at the end the vision would speak and not lie, Hab 2:3. If we persevere in the way of duty, we shall lose nothing by it in the long run. It is probable they walked at such a distance from the walls as to be out of the reach of the enemies' arrows and out of the hearing of their scoffs. We may suppose the oddness of the thing did at first amuse the besieged, but by the seventh day they had grown secure, feeling no harm from that which perhaps they looked upon as an enchantment. Probably they bantered the besiegers, as those mentioned in Neh 4:2, "What do these feeble Jews? Is this the people we thought so formidable? Are these their methods of attack?" Thus they cried peace and safety, that the destruction might be the more terrible when it came. Wicked men (says bishop Hall) think God in jest when he is preparing for their judgment; but they will be convinced of their mistake when it is too late.
VIII. At last they were to give a shout, and did so, and immediately the walls fell, Jos 6:16. This was a shout for mastery, a triumphant shout; the shout of a king is among them, Num 23:21. This was a shout of faith; they believed that the walls of Jericho would fall, and by this faith the walls were thrown down. It was a shot of prayer, an echo to the sound of the trumpets which proclaimed the promise that God would remember them; with one accord, as one man, they cry to heaven for help, and help comes in. Some allude to this to show that we must never expect a complete victory over our own corruptions till the very evening of our last day, and then we shall shout in triumph over them, when we come to the number and measure of our perfection, as bishop Hall expresses it. A good heart (says he) groans under the sense of his infirmities, fain would be rid of them, and strives and prays, but, when all is done, until the end of the seventh day it cannot be; then judgment shall be brought forth unto victory. And at the end of time, when our Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout, and the sound of a trumpet, Satan's kingdom shall be completely ruined, and not till then, when all opposing rule, principality, and power, shall be effectually and eternally put down.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–16. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 6:11 meticulously details the initial execution of God's divinely orchestrated strategy for the conquest of Jericho, highlighting the first day's unique procession. This verse emphasizes the paramount role of the Ark of the LORD, symbolizing God's active presence and covenant, as it was carried once around the formidable city walls. Following this singular, silent circuit, the entire Israelite company, including the armed men and priests, returned to their camp at Gilgal to lodge for the night, establishing the daily routine of faith-filled obedience that would precede the miraculous, supernatural fall of Jericho.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 6:11 employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning. Repetition is a key element, as this verse describes the first instance of a daily ritual that would be repeated for six days, building anticipation for the climactic seventh day. This repetition instills a sense of discipline and patient obedience, emphasizing the Israelites' sustained trust in God's unconventional plan. Symbolism is profoundly present in the "ark of the LORD," which serves as the preeminent symbol of God's active, covenantal presence among His people. Its leading role in the procession powerfully symbolizes that God Himself is the true warrior and strategist, making it clear that the victory would be His doing. Furthermore, there is an element of Divine Irony at play: the seemingly absurd and non-military act of silently circling a fortified city, rather than engaging in conventional warfare, ultimately leads to a miraculous and overwhelming victory, highlighting the vast difference between human wisdom and divine power, where God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 6:11 is a profound theological statement on the nature of divine warfare and the necessity of faith-filled obedience. It teaches that God's ways are often counter-intuitive to human logic, yet they are perfectly effective. The Ark's leading role signifies that God does not merely assist His people; He leads the charge, and the victory is His alone. This passage challenges believers to trust God's methods, even when they seem unconventional or illogical, and to recognize that His presence is the ultimate guarantee of success. It underscores that spiritual battles are won not by human might or clever strategies, but by obedient reliance on God's power and presence, demonstrating that true strength lies in humble submission to divine command.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 6:11 offers timeless lessons for believers today, urging us to re-evaluate our approach to life's formidable challenges. It calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's methods, even when they defy our conventional understanding or seem inefficient from a human perspective. Just as the Israelites were required to engage in consistent, daily obedience without immediate visible results, we are called to walk by faith, patiently enduring and trusting that God's plan will unfold in His perfect timing. Our "walls" may manifest as spiritual strongholds, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, persistent temptations, or systemic injustices, but this verse reminds us that true victory comes from acknowledging God's active presence and leadership in our lives, surrendering our strategies for His. It encourages us to embrace the discipline of daily, faith-filled steps, knowing that God often works through seemingly humble or repetitive acts of obedience to achieve His greatest triumphs, demonstrating His power through our weakness and dependence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the Ark of the LORD so central to this military strategy, rather than conventional weapons or tactics?
Answer: The centrality of the Ark of the LORD in the Jericho campaign was crucial because it symbolized God's direct presence, covenant faithfulness, and sovereign power among His people. Unlike conventional warfare that relies on human strength, strategy, and weaponry, the battle of Jericho was designed by God to demonstrate that the victory was entirely His. The Ark, housing the tablets of the Law and representing God's throne (as seen in Exodus 25:22), served as a tangible reminder that Yahweh Himself was leading the charge. Its presence declared that Israel's strength came not from their army, but from their covenant relationship with the Almighty God, who fights for His people (as promised in Deuteronomy 31:6). This unconventional strategy was a test of Israel's faith and a powerful testament to God's unique methods of warfare, where human weakness and obedience unlock divine omnipotence, proving that the battle belongs to the LORD.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 6:11, with its emphasis on the Ark of the LORD leading the procession, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as the Ark symbolized God's presence dwelling among His people, Jesus is the ultimate embodiment of God with us, the Word made flesh (as beautifully articulated in John 1:14). He is the true Ark, not merely a symbol, but the very presence of God incarnate, leading His people in spiritual warfare. The seemingly illogical and unconventional method of Jericho's fall—circling in silence, relying on God's command—foreshadows Christ's ultimate victory over sin and death, achieved not through conventional power or military might, but through His humble obedience to the point of death on a cross. His death, which appeared to be a defeat, was in fact the decisive triumph over the spiritual "walls" of sin, Satan, and death (as highlighted in Colossians 2:15). Christ's perfect obedience, even unto suffering (as described in Hebrews 5:8), dismantled the spiritual strongholds that held humanity captive, demonstrating that God's greatest victories are often achieved through means that appear weak or foolish to the world, yet reveal His surpassing power and wisdom (a theme echoed in 1 Corinthians 1:27).