TRV
Translation
King James Version
And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.
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.
World English Bible Messianic
The second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. They did this six days.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the second day they compassed the citie once, and returned into the host: thus they did sixe dayes.
Young's Literal Translation
And they compass the city on the second day once, and turn back to the camp; thus they have done six days.
See also
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 5,964 of 31,102
Study This Verse
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.
Copy as
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.
Copy as
Continue studying Joshua 6:14 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Joshua 6:14 precisely details the second day of Israel's divinely commanded, unconventional strategy for the conquest of Jericho. It describes the disciplined execution of God's instructions: the Israelite army, accompanied by priests bearing the Ark of the Covenant and sounding trumpets, completed a single, silent circuit around the formidable city before returning to their camp. This verse underscores the repetitive, daily nature of the divine command, highlighting the unwavering obedience and persistent faith required of God's people as they followed a plan that defied all conventional military logic, demonstrating their complete reliance on God's unique methods for victory.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Joshua 6:14 is situated 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 and the renewal of the covenant at Gilgal in Joshua 5, God gives Joshua highly specific and seemingly illogical instructions for taking the formidable city of Jericho in Joshua 6:1-5. Joshua 6:14 specifically describes the actions of the second day, mirroring the actions of the first day (Joshua 6:11) and establishing the repetitive pattern for the subsequent four days. This daily, ritualistic march builds suspense and anticipation 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 and emphasizing the spiritual nature of the conflict.
Historical & Cultural Context: Jericho was one of the oldest and most heavily fortified cities in the ancient Near East, strategically located at a key entrance to Canaan. Its formidable defenses, including massive double walls, made it a symbol of the seemingly insurmountable challenges Israel faced in conquering the land. The military strategy employed by God was entirely unconventional for the time, eschewing traditional siege engines, direct assault, or prolonged encampment. Instead, it incorporated significant religious elements: the presence of the Ark of the Covenant (symbolizing God's presence, power, and covenant faithfulness), priests (representing divine authority and mediation), and trumpets (often used in Israel for signaling, worship, and announcing divine judgment or victory, as seen in Numbers 10:9). This unique, non-military approach was designed to make it unequivocally clear to both Israel and the surrounding nations that the victory was not due to Israel's military prowess or human strategy, but solely to the miraculous and sovereign intervention of Yahweh.
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. 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. The narrative also 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. Finally, the passage highlights the theme of Spiritual Warfare, where the battle is won not by conventional arms but by divine intervention in response to obedient faith.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The narrative of Joshua 6:14, within the broader account of Jericho, masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its theological message. 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 and the precise nature of God's command but also builds Suspense and Anticipation for the climactic seventh day, when the pattern is dramatically broken and God's power is revealed. The seemingly futile daily march also functions as potent 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, covenant faithfulness, and direct 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 profound testament to the 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 alone. 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, highlighting that true strength lies in humble submission to divine wisdom.
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, even in the mundane or seemingly illogical, is a powerful testimony to His sovereignty, preparing us for the miraculous breakthroughs that only He can orchestrate in His perfect time and for His ultimate glory.
Questions for Reflection
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). 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).
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 perfect 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. 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). 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). 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 and atoning work, has opened the way for all who believe to enter the true Promised Land of eternal life with God.