Joshua 6:2

KJV

And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valour.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Joshua {H3091}, See {H7200}, I have given {H5414} into thine hand {H3027} Jericho {H3405}, and the king {H4428} thereof, and the mighty men {H1368} of valour {H2428}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to Y'hoshua, "I have handed Yericho over to you, including its king and his warriors.

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 6:2 is a profound divine declaration from the LORD to Joshua, delivered at the threshold of Israel's conquest of Jericho. This verse, immediately following Joshua's encounter with the Commander of the LORD's army, reveals God's absolute sovereignty by proclaiming the victory over Jericho as a completed act before any battle has been fought. It underscores that the city, its king, and even its most formidable defenders are already "given" into Israel's hand, thereby establishing divine initiative and the certainty of God's covenant promises as the foundation for the impending, seemingly impossible, triumph.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 6:2 directly follows a pivotal moment in the narrative: Joshua’s encounter with the Commander of the LORD’s army in [Joshua 5:13-15](/joshua/5-13 "Joshua 5:13-15 - Joshua's Encounter with the Commander of the LORD's Army"). This theophany establishes God's presence and leadership in the impending conquest, clarifying that Joshua is not merely a military commander but an obedient servant under divine authority. Prior to this, the Israelites had miraculously crossed the [Jordan River](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - The Crossing of the Jordan River"), re-established their covenant identity through circumcision at Gilgal, and observed Passover ([Joshua 5:2-12](/joshua/5-2 "Joshua 5:2-12 - Circumcision and Passover at Gilgal")). Thus, Joshua 6:2 serves as the divine command and assurance of victory, directly flowing from a renewed covenant relationship and God’s revealed presence, setting the stage for the unconventional battle plan that follows.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho was one of the oldest and most heavily fortified cities in the ancient Near East, strategically located at a major crossroads in the Jordan Valley, controlling access to the central highlands of Canaan. Its formidable walls, as evidenced by archaeological findings, made it an impenetrable fortress by conventional military standards. The Canaanites, known for their polytheistic worship, including child sacrifice and fertility cults, were deemed morally corrupt by God, necessitating their displacement. The concept of *herem*, or "devotion to destruction," was a specific command for the conquest of certain cities like Jericho, signifying God's judgment against the inhabitants and preventing Israel from being corrupted by their practices. From a human perspective, conquering Jericho was an impossible task, highlighting the cultural and military disparity between the nomadic Israelites and the entrenched Canaanite city-states.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 6:2 introduces and reinforces several foundational themes crucial to the book of Joshua and the broader biblical narrative. The most prominent is **Divine Sovereignty and Promise**, as God declares the victory as an accomplished fact, demonstrating His absolute control over history and His unwavering faithfulness to the covenant promises made to Abraham regarding the land of Canaan ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). This pre-declared victory renders the strength of Jericho's defenses or its "mighty men of valour" irrelevant in the face of God's decree. Closely related is the theme of **Faith and Obedience**, where despite God's guarantee, Joshua and Israel are still required to act in faith, following God's specific and unconventional instructions. Their participation is not to *earn* the victory, but to *demonstrate* their trust in God's power. Finally, the verse powerfully establishes **God as the Giver of Victory**, emphasizing that true success in the conquest, and indeed in all of life, comes not from human strength, military prowess, or strategic genius, but solely from God's divine intervention and power. This sets a precedent for the entire conquest narrative, underscoring that all triumphs are gifts from the LORD.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **given (נָתַן, _nathan_):** This Hebrew verb, used here in the perfect tense, signifies a completed action. The theological weight of this grammatical form is immense; it means that from God's perspective, the transfer of Jericho into Israel's possession is not a future promise or a conditional possibility, but an already established, settled fact. This highlights God's omnipotence and His ability to declare outcomes before they physically manifest, emphasizing His divine decree as the ultimate reality.
* **hand (יָד, _yad_):** This common biblical idiom, "into thine hand," denotes possession, power, control, or authority. It signifies that Jericho is not merely to be defeated, but fully delivered into Joshua's (and by extension, Israel's) complete control and ownership. It reinforces the idea of a comprehensive and total victory, not just a partial one.
* **mighty men of valour (גִּבּוֹרֵי חַיִל, _gibborê ḥayil_):** This phrase refers to strong, capable, and courageous warriors. Its inclusion emphasizes the formidable nature of Jericho's defense from a human standpoint. By explicitly mentioning these "mighty men," God highlights the apparent impossibility of the task, thereby magnifying the miraculous nature of His intervention and ensuring that the victory will be attributed solely to Him, not to Israel's military might.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Joshua":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and authority of the message. It signifies a direct revelation from God to His chosen leader, underscoring that the entire enterprise of the conquest is initiated and directed by God Himself, not by human strategy or ambition. This divine initiative is foundational to understanding the events that follow.
* **"See, I have given into thine hand Jericho":** This is the core declaration of the verse. The imperative "See" (רְאֵה, _re'eh_) calls Joshua to perceive and acknowledge a spiritual reality that transcends present circumstances. The perfect tense "I have given" (נָתַתִּי, _natatti_) powerfully asserts God's accomplished act. Jericho, the seemingly impenetrable fortress, is already, in God's sovereign plan, delivered into Joshua's possession. This statement serves as both a divine guarantee and a call to faith, requiring Joshua to believe in a victory that is not yet visible.
* **"and the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valour":** This concluding phrase specifies the totality of the victory. Not only the city itself but also its leadership (the king) and its most formidable defenders (the mighty men of valour) are included in God's pre-declared gift. This emphasizes that no aspect of Jericho's strength or authority will withstand God's decree, ensuring a complete and decisive triumph that leaves no room for human boasting.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Joshua 6:2 is **Proleptic Declaration** (or **Prolepsis**), where a future event is presented as if it has already occurred ("I have given"). This creates a powerful sense of divine certainty and inevitability, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty over time and events. The inclusion of "the mighty men of valour" serves as a form of **Emphasis** or **Hyperbole**, highlighting the overwhelming human challenge to magnify the divine power required for the victory. This creates a stark **Contrast** between human strength and divine omnipotence. Furthermore, the phrase "into thine hand" is a common **Idiom** signifying possession and control, succinctly conveying the complete transfer of authority and ownership.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 6:2 stands as a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and His absolute sovereignty over all creation and history. It demonstrates that God's plans are not contingent upon human strength or favorable circumstances, but are established by His divine decree. This pre-declared victory over Jericho serves as a microcosm of God's redemptive work throughout history, where He often declares the outcome before the battle, calling His people to faith and obedience in the face of apparent impossibilities. It reinforces the biblical truth that salvation and victory are ultimately gifts from God, received by faith, rather than earned by human effort. This principle resonates deeply with the broader narrative of God's initiative in bringing about His purposes for His people.

* [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of the Land to Abraham")
* [Deuteronomy 20:1-4](/deuteronomy/20-1 "Deuteronomy 20:1-4 - Laws for Warfare, God Fights for Israel")
* [1 Samuel 17:47](/1_samuel/17-47 "1 Samuel 17:47 - David Declares the Battle Belongs to the LORD")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 6:2 offers profound encouragement and a vital paradigm for believers navigating the challenges of life. It reminds us that our "Jerichos"—whether they be seemingly insurmountable obstacles, deeply entrenched habits, or overwhelming circumstances—are not outside the scope of God's sovereign declaration. Just as God had already "given" Jericho to Joshua, He has already secured victory for us in Christ. Our call, therefore, is not to muster sufficient strength or devise perfect strategies, but to perceive God's pre-declared triumph and respond with faith-filled obedience to His specific, often unconventional, instructions. This verse shifts our focus from our limitations to God's limitless power, urging us to trust that the battle is truly the LORD's, and that His promises are certain, even when the means to their fulfillment seem illogical or impossible from a human perspective. It invites us to walk by faith, knowing that God's "I have given" precedes our "I will receive."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jerichos" are you currently facing in your life that seem impenetrable or impossible to overcome?**
* **How does God's declaration, "I have given," impact your perspective on these challenges? Does it change your approach?**
* **In what areas of your life is God calling you to step out in faith and obedience, even when the path forward seems illogical or the victory unseen?**
* **How can remembering that "the battle is the LORD's" free you from anxiety and empower you to trust more deeply?**

### FAQ
**Why does God declare victory *before* the battle begins in Joshua 6:2?**

Answer: God declares victory *before* the battle to unequivocally establish His absolute sovereignty and omnipotence. This pre-declaration serves several critical purposes: it builds Joshua's and Israel's faith, demonstrating that the victory is not dependent on their military prowess but solely on God's power and faithfulness to His covenant promises. It also ensures that all glory for the triumph will go to God, preventing any human boasting. By stating "I have given," God emphasizes that the outcome is already settled in His divine plan, calling His people to respond with obedient faith rather than striving in their own strength. This pattern is seen throughout Scripture, where God often reveals His finished work before its physical manifestation, as in the ultimate victory over sin and death declared in [Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph over Principalities and Powers").

**What is the significance of mentioning "the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valour" if God has already given the city?**

Answer: The specific mention of "the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valour" is highly significant because it underscores the totality of God's pre-declared victory and the formidable nature of the challenge from a human perspective. The king represents the political and military leadership, while the "mighty men of valour" represent the city's elite fighting force and its human strength. By explicitly including them in the "given" declaration, God emphasizes that every aspect of Jericho's power, authority, and defense is rendered impotent before His decree. This highlights the magnitude of the human impossibility, thereby magnifying God's power and ensuring that no human agent can take credit for the victory. It serves to eliminate any doubt that the conquest is a divine act, not a human achievement.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 6:2, with its powerful declaration of a pre-won victory, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God declared Jericho "given" into Joshua's hand before the walls fell, so too did God, in Christ, declare victory over the ultimate "Jerichos" of sin, death, and the powers of darkness. On the cross, Jesus cried out, "[It is finished!](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - Jesus' Triumphant Cry, 'It is finished!'")," a perfect tense declaration akin to "I have given," signifying a complete and decisive triumph over all spiritual adversaries ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph over Principalities and Powers")). His resurrection was the divine proof that the victory was secured, disarming the one who had the power of death ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Jesus' Victory Over Death")). For believers, this means we do not fight *for* victory, but *from* victory. Our participation is not to earn salvation or overcome sin by our own strength, but to walk in faith and obedience to the One who has already conquered, knowing that in Him, we are "[more than conquerors](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors Through Christ")" and have "[victory through our Lord Jesus Christ](/1_corinthians/15-57 "1 Corinthians 15:57 - Victory Through Our Lord Jesus Christ")". The walls of our spiritual Jericho have already fallen because of Christ's finished work, calling us to live in the reality of His accomplished triumph.

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

Deuteronomy 7:24

And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.

Joshua 8:1

¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

Joshua 2:24

And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.

Joshua 2:9

And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

Nehemiah 9:24

So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.

Joshua 6:9

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.

Joshua 6:24

And they burnt the city with fire, and all that [was] therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.