Joshua 6:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass on the seventh {H7637} day {H3117}, that they rose early {H7925} about the dawning {H5927} of the day {H7837}, and compassed {H5437} the city {H5892} after the same manner {H4941} seven {H7651} times {H6471}: only on that day {H3117} they compassed {H5437} the city {H5892} seven {H7651} times {H6471}.

Complete Jewish Bible

On the seventh day, they got up early, at sunrise, and went around the city in the same way seven times. That was the only day they encircled the city seven times.

Berean Standard Bible

Then on the seventh day, they got up at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. That was the only day they circled the city seven times.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early at 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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 6:15 marks the pivotal moment in the siege of Jericho, detailing the climactic and intensified actions of the Israelites on the seventh day. This verse records their precise obedience to God's unconventional instructions, culminating in seven circuits around the formidable city walls before the miraculous divine intervention that brought about its collapse. It underscores the culmination of faith-filled perseverance and highlights God's sovereign power and unique methodology in securing victory for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 6:15 is situated at the climax of the Jericho narrative, which spans the entirety of [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho"). Preceding this verse, the Israelites have crossed the Jordan River miraculously ([Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan")), observed Passover and circumcision at Gilgal ([Joshua 5:10-12](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10-12 - Passover and Manna Ceases")), and Joshua has encountered the Commander of the Lord's Army, receiving divine instructions for the siege of Jericho ([Joshua 5:13-6:5](/joshua/5-13 "Joshua 5:13-6:5 - Commander of the Lord's Army and Jericho Instructions")). The previous six days involved a single circuit around the city, led by armed men, priests with trumpets, and the Ark of the Covenant, all in silence. Verse 15 dramatically heightens the tension and activity, setting the stage for the city's miraculous fall in [Joshua 6:20](/joshua/6-20 "Joshua 6:20 - The Walls Fall").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho, often referred to as "the city of palm trees," was an ancient and strategically vital city, guarding the eastern approach to central Canaan. Archaeological evidence suggests it was heavily fortified, likely with a double-wall system, making it appear impregnable by conventional ancient siege warfare standards. Typically, sieges involved prolonged blockades, sapping, or direct assault. God's command to merely march around the city, without conventional weapons or tactics, was a radical departure from any known military strategy of the time. This unconventional approach emphasized that the victory would be solely God's, preventing Israel from boasting in their own strength or military prowess. The city's fall served as a "firstfruits" conquest, a demonstration of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to give Israel the land.

* **Key Themes:** The Jericho narrative, and particularly [Joshua 6:15](/joshua/6-15 "Joshua 6:15 - The Seventh Day March"), powerfully articulates several core themes. **Divine Instruction and Obedience** is paramount; Israel's success hinges entirely on their meticulous adherence to God's seemingly illogical commands, demonstrating that God's ways are higher than human wisdom ([Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways")). **Faith in Action** is another central theme, as the repetitive, disciplined marching was not a military maneuver but an act of profound trust that God would fulfill His promise, as later affirmed in [Hebrews 11:30](/hebrews/11-30 "Hebrews 11:30 - Jericho's Fall by Faith"). Finally, **God's Sovereignty and Timing** are highlighted by the recurring number seven, symbolizing completeness, perfection, and divine orchestration. The seven days, seven priests, seven trumpets, and seven circuits on the seventh day all underscore that the victory was precisely timed and executed by God's perfect will, not by human effort or military might.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Seventh day (יוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי, _yom ha-shvi'i_):** This phrase emphasizes the culmination and divine significance of the timing. The number seven in Hebrew thought often signifies completion, perfection, or divine fullness (e.g., creation in [Genesis 2:2](/genesis/2-2 "Genesis 2:2 - God Rests on the Seventh Day"), the Sabbath). Here, it marks the divinely appointed moment for the decisive action and miraculous intervention, underscoring that the victory was entirely God's work, brought to fruition on His perfect schedule.
* **Compassed (סָבַב, _savav_):** The Hebrew verb _savav_ means "to go around," "to encircle," or "to surround." Its repeated use throughout [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho") highlights the specific, non-aggressive action commanded by God. In this verse, it's intensified by the "seven times," indicating a sustained, deliberate, and exhaustive encirclement on the final day, pushing the act of obedience to its maximum expression before the divine breakthrough.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass on the seventh day":** This phrase immediately signals the climactic moment of the entire siege. The "seventh day" is not merely a chronological marker but carries profound theological weight, indicating the completion of God's commanded ritual and the imminence of His promised intervention. It underscores the divine timing and the fulfillment of the meticulously detailed instructions given to Joshua.
* **"that they rose early about the dawning of the day":** This detail emphasizes the Israelites' unwavering diligence and commitment to God's commands. Despite the repetitive and seemingly mundane nature of the task, they maintained their discipline and readiness, rising at the earliest possible moment to execute God's will. It speaks to the perseverance required in acts of faith, even when the purpose is not fully understood.
* **"and compassed the city after the same manner seven times":** This is the core action of the verse, highlighting the intensified effort on the final day. Unlike the previous six days where they made one circuit, on this day, they were to complete seven circuits. The phrase "after the same manner" indicates consistency in their method (silent march, Ark, priests, armed men), but the "seven times" signifies a dramatic increase in the intensity and duration of their obedience, pushing their physical and spiritual endurance.
* **"only on that day they compassed the city seven times":** This concluding clause serves as a powerful emphasis and clarification. It reiterates the uniqueness of the seventh day's activity, distinguishing it from the preceding days. The repetition of "seven times" within the same verse underscores the extraordinary nature of this final, concentrated act of faith and obedience, setting the stage for the miraculous collapse of Jericho's walls.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 6:15 effectively employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis** to underscore its key message. The phrase "seven times" is repeated within the verse, and the concept of the "seventh day" is central, creating a strong sense of **Climax** and **Fulfillment**. This repetition is not redundant but serves to highlight the extraordinary nature of the final day's activity and the significance of the number seven in God's plan. The rising "early about the dawning of the day" adds a touch of **Foreshadowing**, building anticipation for the dramatic event that is about to unfold, indicating the Israelites' readiness for God's decisive action. The entire narrative of the Jericho siege can also be seen as an **Extended Metaphor** for spiritual warfare, where victory is achieved not by human might but by divine power activated through faithful obedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 6:15 stands as a profound testament to the power of obedient faith and God's unconventional methods. It teaches that God's ways are often counter-intuitive to human logic, yet they are perfectly designed to display His glory and accomplish His purposes. The Israelites' diligent, repetitive, and intensified obedience on the seventh day was not a military strategy but a spiritual act, a demonstration of their absolute reliance on God. This narrative powerfully illustrates that true spiritual breakthroughs often require sustained, even seemingly illogical, acts of faith and perseverance, culminating in God's sovereign intervention. It reminds us that victory belongs to the Lord, and our role is to faithfully follow His leading, even when the path is unclear or demanding.

* [Hebrews 11:30](/hebrews/11-30 "Hebrews 11:30 - Jericho's Fall by Faith")
* [2 Corinthians 10:4-5](/2_corinthians/10-4 "2 Corinthians 10:4-5 - Spiritual Weapons")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 6:15 offers timeless lessons for believers navigating life's formidable challenges. Just as Jericho's walls seemed insurmountable, we often face "walls" in our lives—be they personal struggles, societal injustices, or spiritual strongholds—that appear impervious to our conventional efforts. This verse calls us to embrace God's unconventional strategies, which often involve persistent, faith-filled obedience rather than human might or clever tactics. It reminds us that spiritual victories are rarely achieved through a single, dramatic act, but often through consistent, disciplined, and sometimes intensified, acts of faith, even when the outcome is not immediately visible. Our task is to rise early, metaphorically speaking, and diligently follow God's specific instructions for our lives, trusting that His timing and methods are perfect, and that He alone will bring down the "walls" in His time and for His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "walls" or seemingly insurmountable challenges are you facing in your life that might require an unconventional, God-ordained approach rather than human strategy?**
* **In what areas of your life is God calling you to a deeper, more persistent, or even "intensified" obedience, even if the path seems illogical or the results are not immediately apparent?**
* **How does the narrative of Jericho's fall encourage you to trust God's perfect timing and sovereign power, especially when your efforts seem repetitive or fruitless?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command such an unusual method for taking Jericho, especially the seven circuits on the seventh day?**

Answer: God's command for the Israelites to march around Jericho was deliberately unconventional to highlight that the victory would be His alone, not a result of Israel's military might or strategic genius. This method served as a powerful test of faith and obedience for the entire nation. The repetition of the number seven—seven days, seven priests, seven trumpets, and seven circuits on the seventh day—carries deep biblical symbolism, representing completeness, perfection, and divine orchestration. It underscored that the timing and the power for the city's fall were entirely God's, ensuring that He received all the glory. It was a demonstration that spiritual battles are won by divine power, not by human strength ([Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor by Power")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The fall of Jericho, culminating in the intensified obedience of [Joshua 6:15](/joshua/6-15 "Joshua 6:15 - The Seventh Day March"), serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of Christ's ultimate victory and the nature of the New Covenant. Just as Jericho was the first, formidable obstacle to Israel's entry into the Promised Land, so too was sin and death the seemingly impregnable stronghold preventing humanity's entry into God's eternal kingdom. Christ, the true Joshua (Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua), did not conquer through conventional warfare but through an act of supreme, obedient sacrifice. His "marching around" the stronghold of sin and death involved His perfect life, His crucifixion, and His resurrection, culminating in a decisive victory that shattered the power of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). The "seventh day" intensity of Israel's obedience points to Christ's complete and perfect obedience, even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience")). Through His finished work, the "walls" that separated humanity from God have fallen, and believers are now invited to enter a spiritual "promised land" of rest and communion with God, not by their own works, but by faith in the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of 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

Psalms 119:147

¶ I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word.

2 Peter 1:19

¶ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

Matthew 28:1

¶ In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first [day] of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.