Joshua 6:14

KJV

And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the second {H8145} day {H3117} they compassed {H5437} the city {H5892} once {H6471}{H259}, and returned {H7725} into the camp {H4264}: so they did {H6213} six {H8337} days {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The second day, they went around the city once and returned to camp. They did the same for six days.

Berean Standard Bible

So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.

American Standard Version

And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 6:14 details the execution of God's unconventional strategy for the conquest of Jericho on the second day. It describes the Israelite army, led by priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant and sounding trumpets, completing a single circuit around the fortified city before returning to their camp. This verse highlights the repetitive, daily nature of the divine command, underscoring the unwavering obedience and persistent faith required of God's people as they followed a plan that defied conventional military logic, demonstrating their complete reliance on His unique methods for victory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the dramatic and pivotal narrative of the conquest of Jericho, serving as the opening act of Israel's entry into the Promised Land. Following the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan River") and the renewal of the covenant at Gilgal in [Joshua 5](/joshua/5 "Joshua 5 - Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal"), God gives Joshua highly specific and seemingly illogical instructions for taking the formidable city of Jericho in [Joshua 6:1-5](/joshua/6-1 "Joshua 6:1-5 - God's Instructions for Jericho"). Joshua 6:14 specifically describes the second day's activity, mirroring the actions of the first day and setting the pattern for the subsequent four days, building suspense towards the climactic seventh day when the walls are prophesied to fall. The repetition underscores the divine nature of the command and the absolute necessity of Israel's unwavering adherence to it, contrasting sharply with any conventional military assault.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho was an ancient and heavily fortified city, strategically located at a key entrance to Canaan. Its formidable defenses made it a symbol of the challenges Israel faced in conquering the land. The military strategy employed by God was entirely unconventional for the time, eschewing siege engines or direct assault. Instead, it incorporated significant religious elements: the presence of the Ark of the Covenant (symbolizing God's presence and power), priests (representing divine authority), and trumpets (often used in Israel for signaling, worship, and announcing divine judgment or victory). This approach was designed to make it unequivocally clear that the victory was not due to Israel's military prowess but solely to the miraculous intervention of Yahweh. This act served as a powerful theological statement to both Israel and the surrounding nations about the unique power of the God of Israel.

* **Key Themes:** Joshua 6:14 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost among these is **Unwavering Obedience**, as the Israelites' daily, repetitive, and seemingly illogical actions demonstrate their profound trust in God's commands, even without immediate visible results. This highlights that true faith is often expressed through consistent, disciplined adherence to God's word, as seen in [Hebrews 11:30](/hebrews/11-30 "Hebrews 11:30 - Jericho's Walls Fall by Faith"). Another crucial theme is **Patience and Persistence**, as the daily routine without immediate breakthrough tested the endurance of the people, teaching them that God's plans unfold according to His timing and require sustained faithfulness. Finally, the verse underscores **God's Sovereignty and Unique Methods**, emphasizing that divine power operates beyond human comprehension and strategic thinking. The victory would clearly be attributed to God alone, reinforcing the truth that His ways are higher than human ways, as articulated in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Compassed (Hebrew, _savav'_):** This verb, סָבַב (savav), literally means "to turn around," "to go about," or "to surround." Its simplicity in this context is significant. It describes a straightforward, repetitive physical action without implying any complex military maneuver or engagement. The emphasis is not on the *how* of the action in terms of human strategy, but on the *fact* of its obedient execution. This plain meaning highlights the unadorned nature of God's command and the Israelites' unreserved compliance.
* **Second day (Hebrew, _yom sheni'_):** The specific mention of "the second day" emphasizes the beginning of a pattern of repetition. It signals that the instructions given by God were not a one-time event but a sustained, daily ritual. This daily repetition, continued for six days, built anticipation and tested the Israelites' endurance and faith. It underscored the methodical and deliberate nature of God's plan, requiring consistent and disciplined obedience over time.
* **Six days (Hebrew, _sheshet yamim'_):** This phrase specifies the duration of the initial phase of the siege. It sets up a clear contrast with the seventh day, which would be dramatically different and culminate in the miraculous fall of the walls. The "six days" represent a period of patient, unyielding obedience without visible results, serving as a prelude to God's ultimate intervention. It highlights the importance of sustained faithfulness in the face of delayed gratification and the divine timing of God's powerful acts.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the second day they compassed the city once":** This clause describes the continuation of the precise, daily ritual commanded by God. The Israelites, including the armed men, priests, and the Ark, completed a single circuit around the city of Jericho. The phrase "the second day" confirms the ongoing, methodical nature of the siege, reinforcing that this was not a spontaneous act but a deliberate, repeated obedience to divine instruction. The action of "compassing" signifies a symbolic encirclement, an act of claiming and consecration under God's authority, rather than a direct military assault.
* **"and returned into the camp":** After completing their single circuit around Jericho, the entire Israelite contingent withdrew from the vicinity of the city and returned to their encampment at Gilgal. This detail is crucial, as it emphasizes the non-combative nature of the daily march. There was no attempt to engage the enemy, probe defenses, or establish a prolonged siege line. Their return to camp each day underscored that their strength and security lay not in their proximity to the enemy or their own military tactics, but in their obedient reliance on God and His instructions.
* **"so they did six days":** This concluding phrase summarizes the entire initial phase of the Jericho campaign. It confirms that the pattern established on the first and second days—a single, silent march around the city followed by a return to camp—was meticulously followed for a total of six consecutive days. This extended period of repetitive, seemingly unproductive action was a profound test of faith, patience, and obedience for the Israelites. It served to demonstrate that the impending victory would be entirely God's doing, not a result of human strategy or might, and built a powerful anticipation for the climactic events of the seventh day.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Joshua 6:14, within the broader account of Jericho, masterfully employs several literary devices. **Repetition** is paramount, as the daily, identical march around the city for six days creates a rhythmic, almost ritualistic pattern. This repetition not only emphasizes the Israelites' unwavering obedience but also builds **Suspense** and **Anticipation** for the climactic seventh day, when the pattern is broken and God's power is dramatically revealed. The seemingly futile daily march also functions as **Symbolism**: it symbolizes the Israelites' complete reliance on God's unconventional methods, the spiritual nature of the warfare, and the patient endurance required of faith. The Ark of the Covenant, central to the procession, is a powerful **Symbol** of God's active presence and leadership in the battle, ensuring that the victory would be clearly attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 6:14 stands as a testament to the profound theological truth that God's methods often transcend human logic and require absolute, unwavering obedience. The repetitive, seemingly irrational command to march around Jericho daily without engaging in combat was a divine test, designed to cultivate and demonstrate Israel's complete dependence on Yahweh. This passage underscores that God delights in using humble, patient, and unconventional means to achieve mighty purposes, ensuring that all glory redounds to Him. It teaches that faithfulness is not merely about believing in God's power, but actively submitting to His will, even when the path forward is unclear or seems unproductive from a human perspective. The daily march was an act of faith, a spiritual discipline that prepared the people not just for a physical victory, but for a deeper understanding of God's character and their role as His covenant people.

* [Hebrews 11:30](/hebrews/11-30 "Jericho's Walls Fall by Faith")
* [2 Corinthians 10:4](/2_corinthians/10-4 "Spiritual Warfare")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "God's Thoughts and Ways")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 6:14 offers profound lessons for contemporary believers navigating a world that often values efficiency, immediate results, and human ingenuity above all else. This verse challenges us to consider areas in our lives where God might be calling for patient, persistent, and seemingly illogical obedience. Are there "marches" we are called to make—daily disciplines, acts of service, or commitments to faith—that feel repetitive, unproductive, or devoid of immediate impact? This passage reminds us that our faithfulness is not measured by the visible outcomes in the short term, but by our unwavering trust in God's timing and His unconventional wisdom. It encourages us to lean into the discomfort of waiting, to embrace the discipline of consistency, and to trust that God is at work even when we cannot see the walls crumbling. Our obedience is a powerful testimony to His sovereignty, preparing us for the miraculous breakthroughs that only He can orchestrate in His perfect time.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life am I being called to consistent, patient obedience, even without immediate visible results?**
* **How does the story of Jericho challenge my assumptions about what constitutes "effective" or "logical" strategies in my spiritual walk or ministry?**
* **What "walls" am I praying for, and how can I cultivate a deeper trust in God's timing and methods, even if they seem unconventional?**
* **How does my daily routine reflect a reliance on God's power rather than my own strength or wisdom?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command such an unusual and repetitive strategy for conquering Jericho?**

Answer: God's command for the Israelites to march around Jericho repeatedly for six days, followed by a unique seventh day, served multiple profound purposes. Firstly, it was designed to make it unequivocally clear that the victory was solely by divine power, not human military might or strategy. This prevented Israel from boasting in their own strength and ensured all glory went to Yahweh (see [Psalm 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Psalm 44:3 - God's Deliverance")). Secondly, it was a test of Israel's faith and obedience. The repetitive, seemingly illogical nature of the command required them to trust God's word implicitly, even when it defied conventional wisdom. This built their spiritual muscle and prepared them for future challenges in the Promised Land. Thirdly, the ritualistic march, involving the Ark of the Covenant and priests, transformed a military act into a spiritual one, demonstrating that the battle was ultimately God's "holy war" against the idolatrous inhabitants of Canaan. It was a powerful display of God's sovereignty and His unique ways of working, often contrary to human expectation, as highlighted in [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Weak").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 6:14, with its emphasis on patient, obedient marching and a divinely orchestrated victory, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. Just as the Israelites were called to follow an unconventional path to conquer Jericho, Christ's conquest of sin and death was achieved not through worldly power or military might, but through an act of ultimate humility and obedience: His death on the cross. Jesus, the true and greater Joshua, perfectly embodied the unwavering obedience that the Israelites struggled to maintain. His entire life was a march of perfect submission to the Father's will, culminating in His willingness to become the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The "walls" of sin, death, and the devil, which no human effort could breach, were utterly shattered not by a shout and trumpets, but by Christ's sacrificial death and glorious resurrection (see [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The repetitive, patient obedience of the Israelites foreshadows the steadfast endurance of Christ, who, "though he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered" ([Hebrews 5:8](/hebrews/5-8 "Hebrews 5:8 - Christ's Obedience")). Ultimately, the victory at Jericho, achieved by God's unique power through obedient faith, points to the far greater spiritual victory secured by Christ, who, by His perfect obedience, has opened the way for all who believe to enter the true Promised Land of eternal life with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 6:11

So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about [it] once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.

Joshua 6:15

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.

Joshua 6:3

And ye shall compass the city, all [ye] men of war, [and] go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.