Joshua 6:20

So the people shouted when [the priests] blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

So the people {H5971} shouted {H7321} when the priests blew {H8628} with the trumpets {H7782}: and it came to pass, when the people {H5971} heard {H8085} the sound {H6963} of the trumpet {H7782}, and the people {H5971} shouted {H7321} with a great {H1419} shout {H8643}, that the wall {H2346} fell down flat {H5307}, so that the people {H5971} went up {H5927} into the city {H5892}, every man {H376} straight before him, and they took {H3920} the city {H5892}.

So the people shouted, with the shofars blowing. When the people heard the sound of the shofars, the people let out a great shout; and the wall fell down flat; so that the people went up into the city, each one straight ahead of him; and they captured the city.

So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it.

So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, that the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Commentary

Commentary on Joshua 6:20 (KJV)

Joshua 6:20 vividly describes the climactic moment in the Battle of Jericho, where the walls of this ancient city miraculously collapsed, allowing the Israelites to conquer it. This verse is the culmination of a unique divine strategy given to Joshua, demonstrating God's power and Israel's obedience.

Context

The book of Joshua chronicles the Israelites' entry into and conquest of the Promised Land, Canaan, after their forty years in the wilderness. Jericho was the first major fortified city they encountered, strategically located and seemingly impenetrable. Rather than a conventional military assault, God commanded an unusual seven-day ritual: the armed men, priests, and the Ark of the Covenant were to march around the city once a day for six days, with priests blowing trumpets. On the seventh day, they were to circle it seven times, and upon a final trumpet blast and a great shout from the people, the walls would fall. Joshua 6:20 describes the precise moment this extraordinary prophecy was fulfilled.

Key Themes

  • Divine Power and Intervention: The central message of Joshua 6:20 is the demonstration of God's overwhelming power. The walls did not fall due to siege engines or military might, but by a supernatural act. This event underscores that God is the true commander and victor in Israel's battles, fulfilling His promise to give them the land.
  • Faith and Obedience: The Israelites' willingness to follow God's seemingly illogical instructions for seven days highlights their deep faith. Their obedience, culminating in the collective shout, was the human response that unlocked God's divine action. This act of faith is explicitly celebrated in the New Testament, reminding us that "By faith the walls of Jericho fell" (Hebrews 11:30).
  • The Significance of the Shout and Trumpets: The trumpets (Hebrew: shofar, a ram's horn) were not merely musical instruments; they were used for signaling, worship, and declaring God's presence and judgment. The "great shout" (Hebrew: teru'ah) was a cry of triumph, a declaration of faith, and perhaps a spiritual weapon, signifying God's victory before it was physically manifest.
  • God's Fulfillment of Promises: The fall of Jericho was a powerful affirmation of God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham, promising his descendants the land of Canaan (Genesis 12:7). This initial victory instilled confidence in Israel for the subsequent conquest.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "fell down flat" (Hebrew: wattippol haḥomah taḥteha) literally means "and the wall fell under itself," or "in its place." This implies a complete and thorough collapse, perhaps inward, making it easy for the Israelites to ascend directly into the city without needing ladders or ramps. It emphasizes the completeness of the destruction and the direct path it created for the invading army.

Practical Application

Joshua 6:20 offers profound lessons for believers today:

  1. Trust in God's Methods: When facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles (like "walls" in our lives), God's solutions may not always align with human logic or conventional wisdom. This verse encourages us to trust in His unconventional ways.
  2. The Power of Obedient Faith: Our active obedience, even in small or repetitive acts, can be the catalyst for God's mighty intervention. It's not the loudness of our shout, but the heart of faith behind it that God honors.
  3. God Fights Our Battles: Just as God fought for Israel at Jericho, He promises to fight for His people today. We are called to step out in faith, and He will accomplish the impossible.
  4. Declaration of Victory: Our "shout" today can be our declaration of God's truth, praise, and confidence in His promises, even before we see the full manifestation of His work.
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Cross-References

  • Hebrews 11:30 (17 votes)

    By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:4 (14 votes)

    (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

  • 2 Corinthians 10:5 (14 votes)

    Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

  • Joshua 6:5 (8 votes)

    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.