Joshua 6:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass at the seventh {H7637} time {H6471}, when the priests {H3548} blew {H8628} with the trumpets {H7782}, Joshua {H3091} said {H559} unto the people {H5971}, Shout {H7321}; for the LORD {H3068} hath given {H5414} you the city {H5892}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The seventh time, when the cohanim blew on their shofars, Y'hoshua said to the people, "Shout! because ADONAI has given you the city!

Berean Standard Bible

After the seventh time around, the priests blew the horns, and Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!

American Standard Version

And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for Jehovah hath given you the city.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 6:16 marks the climactic moment in the siege of Jericho, where God's unconventional strategy culminates in a spectacular demonstration of divine power and Israel's obedient faith. After seven days of silent, ritualistic marching around the formidable city, the priests sound the final trumpet blast, prompting Joshua to command a unified shout, signifying that the Lord had supernaturally delivered the city into their hands, validating His promise and their unwavering trust.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the dramatic crescendo of the Jericho narrative, which immediately follows Israel's miraculous [crossing of the Jordan River](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan") and their covenant renewal at Gilgal. Jericho, the first major stronghold in Canaan, presented an insurmountable military challenge, setting the stage for God to demonstrate His unique method of warfare. The preceding verses in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho") detail the precise, seemingly illogical instructions given by God: daily silent marches for six days, followed by seven circuits on the seventh day, culminating in a trumpet blast and a communal shout. This meticulous buildup creates intense anticipation, emphasizing that the victory would not be achieved through conventional military might but through divine intervention, highlighting God's faithfulness to His covenant promises.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Near Eastern cities like Jericho were heavily fortified, often with double walls, making them virtually impregnable to direct assault without advanced siege weaponry, which Israel lacked. The ritualistic marching, the use of trumpets (likely shofars, ram's horns), and the Ark of the Covenant were not military tactics but acts of worship and spiritual warfare. Shofars were used in ancient Israel for various purposes: signaling war, announcing festivals, and proclaiming God's presence or judgment (e.g., [Exodus 19:16](/exodus/19-16 "Exodus 19:16 - Trumpet Blast at Sinai"), [Numbers 10:9](/numbers/10-9 "Numbers 10:9 - Trumpets for War")). The Ark of the Covenant symbolized God's presence among His people, reinforcing that the battle was His. The entire event was a public spectacle, not just for Israel but for the Canaanites, intended to demonstrate the overwhelming power of Israel's God, YHWH, and to instill fear in the inhabitants of the land, fulfilling prophecies from [Deuteronomy 2:25](/deuteronomy/2-25 "Deuteronomy 2:25 - Fear of Israel").

* **Key Themes:** The narrative of Jericho, culminating in [Joshua 6:16](/joshua/6-16 "Joshua 6:16 - The Shout at Jericho"), profoundly illustrates several core themes. **Obedience** is paramount; Israel's unwavering adherence to God's unconventional and seemingly irrational commands, including the prolonged silence and repetitive marching, was the prerequisite for divine action. This demonstrated a profound trust that God would act on their behalf. **Divine Sovereignty and Power** are central, as Joshua's declaration, "the LORD hath given you the city," unequivocally attributes the victory to God alone, not human strength or strategy. This echoes the truth that [the battle belongs to the LORD](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle Belongs to the Lord"). Furthermore, **Faith in Action** is powerfully displayed; the shout was not a magical incantation but an audible declaration of faith, a communal affirmation of victory *before* the walls collapsed, as explicitly stated in [Hebrews 11:30](/hebrews/11-30 "Hebrews 11:30 - Walls of Jericho Fell by Faith"). Finally, the **Corporate Nature of Worship and Warfare** is evident, as the entire community participated in the prescribed actions, highlighting their unity and collective reliance on God.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shout (Hebrew, _rua'_):** This verb (רוּעַ) signifies a loud noise, a battle cry, a shout of triumph, or an alarm. In this context, it is a commanded, unified, and powerful vocalization that serves as both a declaration of faith and a triumphant acclamation of God's immediate and decisive victory. It is not a means to cause the walls to fall, but an expression of the faith that the walls *would* fall because God had already "given" the city.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _YHWH'_):** The use of the covenant name of God (יהוה) emphasizes that the victory is not by chance or by a generic deity, but by the specific, personal God of Israel who made promises to Abraham, delivered Israel from Egypt, and now fulfills His pledge to give them the land. This name underscores His faithfulness, power, and active involvement in the history of His people.
* **Given (Hebrew, _nathan'_):** The verb (נָתַן) "to give" is used here in a past tense, perfect aspect, indicating a completed action with ongoing results. Joshua declares that the LORD *has already* given them the city, even before the walls have fallen. This highlights the certainty of God's promise and the reality of His divine decree, which precedes and guarantees the physical manifestation of victory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets,"**: This clause emphasizes the culmination of the specific, divinely ordained sequence of events. The "seventh time" refers to the final circuit on the seventh day, highlighting the symbolic significance of the number seven (completion, perfection, divine action). The blowing of the trumpets by the priests serves as the signal, the divinely appointed cue for the next phase of action, marking the precise moment of God's intended intervention.
* **"Joshua said unto the people, Shout;"**: Joshua, as God's appointed leader, relays the divine command to the entire assembly. The imperative "Shout!" is a direct instruction for a unified, communal act. This was not a spontaneous outburst but a disciplined, faith-filled response to a direct order, demonstrating Israel's collective obedience and readiness to participate in God's plan.
* **"for the LORD hath given you the city."**: This is the theological core of the verse and the entire narrative. Joshua's declaration provides the reason and assurance for the command to shout. The victory is not contingent on their shout, but the shout is a response to the *already accomplished* divine act of "giving" the city. This phrase underscores God's sovereignty and omnipotence; He is the active agent, and the city's capture is His gift, not a human achievement.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is central, particularly the recurring motif of "seven" (seven days, seven priests, seven trumpets, seven circuits on the seventh day), which imbues the narrative with a sense of divine order, completion, and sacred significance. The dramatic tension builds through **Suspense**, as the Israelites' silent, repetitive marches for six days, followed by the intensified seven circuits on the final day, create an atmosphere of anticipation for the promised divine intervention. **Symbolism** is rich: the trumpets symbolize divine announcement and judgment, the Ark of the Covenant represents God's active presence, and the unified shout embodies corporate faith and declaration of victory. The entire event can be seen as a **Theophany** or a manifestation of God's power, where the physical collapse of the walls serves as a tangible sign of His invisible hand at work. Finally, **Divine Command** is the driving force, with God's explicit instructions dictating every action, highlighting His absolute authority and Israel's role as obedient instruments.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 6:16 stands as a powerful testament to God's faithfulness, His unique methods, and the efficacy of obedient faith. It demonstrates that God often chooses to work in ways that defy human logic, requiring His people to trust implicitly in His power and timing rather than relying on conventional wisdom or strength. The fall of Jericho is not merely a military victory but a theological declaration: God is actively involved in the affairs of His people, fulfilling His promises and overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles when His people respond in faith. It underscores the principle that ultimate victory belongs to the Lord, and human effort, when aligned with divine command, becomes the channel for His miraculous power.

* [2 Chronicles 20:15](/2_chronicles/20-15 "2 Chronicles 20:15 - The Battle is Not Yours, But God's")
* [Psalm 33:16-17](/psalms/33-16 "Psalm 33:16-17 - No King is Saved by the Size of His Army")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might, Nor by Power, But by My Spirit")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The command to "Shout!" in Joshua 6:16, coming at the climax of a week of silent, faithful obedience, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It challenges us to consider how often we rely on our own strength, strategies, or understanding rather than fully trusting in God's unconventional methods. Just as the Israelites were called to an act of faith that seemed illogical—shouting to bring down walls—we are often called to steps of obedience that defy worldly wisdom. This verse reminds us that true victory, especially in spiritual battles or against seemingly insurmountable life obstacles, comes not from our might or cleverness, but from God's power. Our "shout" today might be a declaration of faith in prayer, a bold witness to His truth, or a courageous step of obedience when everything around us suggests otherwise. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of active, expectant faith, knowing that God has already "given" us the victory in Christ, and our role is to declare and live in that truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "walls" or insurmountable obstacles are you facing in your life that God might be calling you to approach with unconventional, faith-filled obedience?**
* **In what areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength or logic rather than trusting God's seemingly illogical commands?**
* **How can you cultivate a "shout of faith" in your daily life, declaring God's promises over your circumstances even before you see the physical manifestation of His work?**
* **What does the seven-day process at Jericho teach you about patience and waiting on God's perfect timing for His plans to unfold?**

### FAQ

**Why did God command such a strange method for taking Jericho?**

Answer: God commanded this unconventional method to clearly demonstrate that the victory was entirely His, not Israel's. It was designed to humble Israel, test their obedience, and magnify His power in the eyes of both the Israelites and the Canaanites. The ritualistic marching, silence, and then the unified shout were acts of faith and spiritual warfare, not military strategy. It emphasized that "the battle belongs to the LORD" ([1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - The Battle Belongs to the Lord")) and that His power transcends human logic or military might. This method also served to instill fear in the surrounding nations, as word of God's miraculous intervention spread (as seen in [Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession")).

**Was the shout itself what caused the walls to fall?**

Answer: No, the shout itself did not possess inherent magical power to bring down the walls. The walls fell because God, in His sovereign power, caused them to fall at the precise moment of the shout and trumpet blast, in response to Israel's obedient faith. The shout was an act of faith, a communal declaration of belief in God's promise that He had already "given" them the city. As [Hebrews 11:30](/hebrews/11-30 "Hebrews 11:30 - Walls of Jericho Fell by Faith") states, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after they had been encircled for seven days." The shout was the final, commanded act of obedience that triggered God's supernatural intervention.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The fall of Jericho, culminating in the triumphant shout of [Joshua 6:16](/joshua/6-16 "Joshua 6:16 - The Shout at Jericho"), powerfully foreshadows the ultimate victory of Christ and the nature of the Kingdom of God. Just as Jericho's impregnable walls fell not by human might but by divine power in response to obedient faith, so too the seemingly insurmountable strongholds of sin, death, and the devil were overcome not by human effort but by the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. His resurrection was the ultimate "shout" of victory, proclaiming that the spiritual "city" of darkness had been "given" into His hands, and through Him, to His people ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). The "trumpets" of the gospel now sound, calling all to believe in the victory already secured by the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Our "shout" as believers is not a physical one, but a spiritual declaration of faith in Christ's triumph, a proclamation of the good news that through Him, we are more than conquerors ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")). The ultimate "city" that God has "given" us is the New Jerusalem, a kingdom that cannot be shaken, secured by the blood of Christ and entered by faith ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken"), [Revelation 21:2](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2 - The New Jerusalem")).

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 6:5

And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long [blast] with the ram's horn, [and] when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

2 Chronicles 20:22

And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.

2 Chronicles 20:23

For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy [them]: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.

Judges 7:20

And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow [withal]: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.

Judges 7:22

And the three hundred blew the trumpets, and the LORD set every man's sword against his fellow, even throughout all the host: and the host fled to Bethshittah in Zererath, [and] to the border of Abelmeholah, unto Tabbath.

2 Chronicles 13:15

Then the men of Judah gave a shout: and as the men of Judah shouted, it came to pass, that God smote Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah.