Joshua 6:3

KJV

And ye shall compass the city, all [ye] men of war, [and] go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall compass {H5437} the city {H5892}, all ye men {H582} of war {H4421}, and go round about {H5362} the city {H5892} once {H6471}{H259}. Thus shalt thou do {H6213} six {H8337} days {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are to encircle the city with all your soldiers and march around it once. Do this for six days.

Berean Standard Bible

March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days.

American Standard Version

And ye shall compass the city, all the men of war, going about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 6:3 presents God's precise and seemingly counter-intuitive instructions to Joshua for the conquest of Jericho, commanding the Israelite men of war to encircle the city once daily for six days. This divine directive establishes the foundational principle that the impending victory would be secured not through conventional military might or human strategic brilliance, but solely through unwavering obedience to God's unconventional plan, thereby powerfully highlighting His sovereign power and Israel's dependent faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 6:3 is a pivotal component of God's direct revelation to Joshua regarding the fall of Jericho, immediately following the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, which is recounted in [Joshua 3](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - The Crossing of the Jordan"), and the crucial spiritual preparations undertaken at Gilgal, including the mass circumcision and the celebration of Passover, detailed in [Joshua 5](/joshua/5 "Joshua 5 - Circumcision, Passover, and the Commander of the Lord's Army"). This verse initiates the specific, detailed instructions for the unique "siege" of Jericho, setting the stage for the dramatic and miraculous climax described in [Joshua 6:20](/joshua/6-20 "Joshua 6:20 - The Fall of Jericho's Walls"). It underscores the transition of Israel from a nomadic people to a settled nation, with God actively leading their military campaigns in the Promised Land. The preceding encounter with the Commander of the Lord's Army in [Joshua 5:13-15](/joshua/5-13 "Joshua 5:13-15 - The Commander of the Lord's Army") further solidifies the divine authority behind the entire campaign, making the instructions in 6:3 a direct and non-negotiable mandate from God Himself.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Jericho was an ancient and formidable city, often regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities globally, renowned for its exceptionally strong fortifications. Archaeological evidence suggests multiple layers of walls, making it an imposing military challenge for any invading force. The Israelites, despite their numbers, were not a professional, trained army equipped with the sophisticated siege engines or advanced military tactics common in the ancient Near East. Their recent history involved forty years of wilderness wandering, which did not include extensive military training in conventional warfare. God's command in Joshua 6:3 deliberately eschewed typical siege warfare, which usually involved prolonged blockades, undermining walls, or direct assaults. This unconventional approach would have been baffling to any contemporary military strategist, serving to highlight that the impending victory would be a supernatural act, not a human achievement. This divine intervention was crucial for establishing God's authority and power in the eyes of both Israel and the Canaanite nations as Israel commenced its conquest of the land promised to their ancestors.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 6:3 contributes profoundly to several overarching themes woven throughout the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Strategy and Absolute Obedience**. The command to march around the city, seemingly illogical from a human perspective, demands unquestioning faith and precise adherence to God's instructions, no matter how unconventional. Secondly, it champions **Faith Over Military Might**. The prescribed method of conquest explicitly removes any possibility of Israel boasting in its own strength or tactical brilliance, ensuring that the victory is undeniably God's. This aligns with the enduring biblical principle articulated later in [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor Power") that "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." Lastly, the instruction "Thus shalt thou do six days" introduces the theme of **Patience and Persistence**. The repeated, daily act of obedience, without immediate visible results, built anticipation and rigorously tested the Israelites' endurance and sustained trust in God's timing and ultimate plan, culminating in the dramatic and miraculous events of the seventh day as described in [Joshua 6:15-20](/joshua/6-15 "Joshua 6:15-20 - The Seventh Day and the Fall of Jericho").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Compass (Hebrew, _çâbab'_):** (H5437) This primitive root means to revolve, surround, or border, used in various literal and figurative applications such as to bring around, cast, fetch, lead, or make to walk around. In this context, its repetition ("compass the city... go round about the city") emphasizes the methodical, deliberate, and ritualistic nature of the action. It signifies not a casual stroll but a commanded encirclement, representing a claim of possession and a preparatory act for divine judgment. The act of "going around" or "circling" often carries spiritual significance in the Bible, sometimes related to worship or a demonstration of God's presence and power, particularly when the Ark of the Covenant is involved.
* **Men of War (Hebrew, _ʼĕnôwsh milchâmâh'_):** (H582, H4421) The phrase combines _ʼĕnôwsh_ (H582), meaning a mortal or man in general, and _milchâmâh_ (H4421), meaning a battle or war. This designation highlights the participants: those equipped and expected to engage in battle. The profound irony, however, is that their "warfare" here involves no direct combat, no siege engines, and no conventional military maneuvers for six days. Their primary weapon is obedience, and their strength is their unwavering faith in God's unconventional strategy, thereby subverting typical expectations of what "men of war" are meant to do.
* **Six Days (Hebrew, _shêsh yôwm'_):** (H8337, H3117) This specific duration combines _shêsh_ (H8337), meaning six, and _yôwm_ (H3117), meaning a day or a defined space of time. The number six, preceding the climactic seventh day, often symbolizes human effort, labor, or incompleteness in biblical numerology. Here, it represents a period of sustained, patient obedience and a rigorous test of faith before the divine intervention. It also masterfully builds dramatic tension, emphasizing that God's timing is precise and His plan unfolds progressively, not always instantaneously, requiring diligent adherence over time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall compass the city":** This is the foundational command, establishing the core action required of the Israelites. It is a direct, imperative instruction from God, indicating a non-negotiable task. The act of encompassing suggests a complete encirclement, a symbolic claiming of the territory, and a preparatory step for its capture.
* **"all [ye] men of war, [and] go round about the city once":** This clause specifies both the participants and the frequency of the action. "All ye men of war" indicates that the entire fighting force was to be involved, not merely a select few, emphasizing corporate obedience and participation. "Go round about the city once" sets the precise daily rhythm, ensuring a consistent, disciplined, and repetitive action, which would have been physically demanding and mentally challenging given the lack of immediate visible results.
* **"Thus shalt thou do six days":** This final clause defines the exact duration of this unique "siege." The six-day period establishes a time of patient endurance and sustained faith. It serves as a profound test of their commitment to God's unconventional method, building intense anticipation for the seventh day, when the culmination of God's plan would be dramatically revealed and enacted. The repetition over six days underscores the methodical, deliberate, and divinely ordained nature of God's strategy, which operates on a different timeline and logic than human warfare.

#### Literary Devices
The passage powerfully employs **Repetition**, particularly with the command to "compass the city" and "go round about the city once," reinforced by the daily execution over "six days." This repetition emphasizes the methodical and ritualistic nature of the divine command, highlighting the paramount importance of sustained, consistent obedience. There is also significant **Irony** present; the "men of war" are commanded to perform an act that is not conventional warfare, subverting all expectations of military engagement. Their strength is not to be found in their weapons or tactics, but in their disciplined adherence to an unconventional divine strategy. Furthermore, the entire scenario is rich in **Symbolism**. The daily march around the city symbolizes Israel's unwavering faith in God's power, their patient endurance, and God's sovereign claim over Jericho. The Ark of the Covenant, carried prominently in the procession, symbolizes God's active presence and direct leadership in the conquest, transforming a military maneuver into a profound sacred procession.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 6:3 serves as a profound theological statement on God's absolute sovereignty, the true nature of faith, and the transformative power of obedience. It unequivocally demonstrates that God's methods often defy human logic and conventional wisdom, yet they are always perfect and meticulously designed to bring Him the most glory. The seemingly absurd command to march around a heavily fortified city highlights that true victory comes not from human strength or ingenuity, but from divine intervention activated by obedient faith. This passage teaches that God delights in demonstrating His immense power through weakness and unconventional means, ensuring that His people rely entirely on Him. It underscores that God is not limited by human limitations or fortified walls, and His plans, though sometimes requiring patient endurance, will ultimately and triumphantly prevail.

* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Zechariah 4:6 - Not by Might Nor Power")
* [Hebrews 11:30](/hebrews/11-30 "Hebrews 11:30 - The Walls of Jericho Fell by Faith")
* [Isaiah 55:8](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8 - God's Thoughts are Higher")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 6:3 offers timeless and profound principles for navigating the "walled cities" in our own lives—those seemingly insurmountable obstacles, challenges, or deeply entrenched problems that defy conventional solutions. This passage calls us to courageously surrender our human strategies and embrace God's often unconventional, counter-intuitive methods. It reminds us that true breakthrough often requires not just a single act of faith, but a consistent, patient, and disciplined obedience over time, even when immediate results are not visibly apparent. The daily march around Jericho was a rigorous test of endurance and trust, building character and deepening Israel's reliance on God. When faced with situations that seem overwhelmingly too big for us, this verse powerfully encourages us to step out in audacious faith, follow God's specific instructions, and trust that His power will accomplish what ours cannot, thereby demonstrating His glory through our humble yet resolute obedience.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "walled cities" or seemingly insurmountable challenges are you currently facing that might require an unconventional, God-given strategy rather than relying on your own limited wisdom?**
* **How does the command for daily, repetitive obedience in Joshua 6:3 challenge your current approach to prayer, spiritual disciplines, or persistent problems in your life?**
* **In what specific areas of your life are you tempted to rely on your own strength, logic, or resources rather than trusting God's wisdom and power, even when His ways seem foolish or illogical?**

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

Answer: God commanded this unconventional method for several profound and strategic reasons. Primarily, it was to demonstrate unequivocally that the victory belonged to Him alone, not as a result of Israel's military prowess or tactical genius. Jericho's formidable walls would have made a conventional siege extremely difficult for the Israelites, who were not a professional, trained army. By having them simply march, God removed any possibility of human boasting, ensuring that He received all the glory for the conquest. This method also served as a powerful test of Israel's faith and obedience, teaching them to rely entirely on Him. Furthermore, it was a visible sign to the surrounding Canaanite nations that the God of Israel was unique and all-powerful, striking fear into their hearts and preparing the way for Israel's subsequent conquest of the land. This divine strategy underscored that God's ways are often infinitely higher than human ways, as articulated in [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Jericho's fall, initiated by the unconventional command in Joshua 6:3, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. Just as God's strategy for Jericho defied human logic and military convention, so too did God's ultimate plan for humanity's salvation. The "men of war" were called to an act of seemingly foolish obedience, foreshadowing the "foolishness" of the cross through which God achieved His greatest victory over sin and death ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross is Foolishness to Those Who are Perishing")). Jesus, the ultimate Commander of the Lord's Army, did not conquer sin and death through conventional power, military might, or earthly tactics, but through humble obedience and sacrificial self-giving. His "march" to the cross, culminating in His death and glorious resurrection, was the ultimate act of divine strategy, dismantling the "walls" of sin, death, and spiritual principalities that separated humanity from God ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). Like the Israelites, who had to patiently obey for six days before the walls fell, believers are called to daily, persistent obedience and unwavering faith in Christ, even when His commands seem counter-cultural or the promised spiritual victory appears delayed. Our victory over the strongholds of sin and the world is achieved not by our strength, but by the transformative power of Christ's finished work and our faithful submission to Him ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death")). He is the true Joshua, leading His people to conquer insurmountable spiritual obstacles and inherit the promised eternal rest and abundant life.

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

2 Corinthians 4:7

But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Numbers 14:9

Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they [are] bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD [is] with us: fear them not.

Joshua 6:7

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.

1 Corinthians 1:21

For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1 Corinthians 1:25

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Joshua 6:14

And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.