Joshua 6:4

KJV

And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

KJV (with Strong's)

And seven {H7651} priests {H3548} shall bear {H5375} before {H6440} the ark {H727} seven {H7651} trumpets {H7782} of rams' horns {H3104}: and the seventh {H7637} day {H3117} ye shall compass {H5437} the city {H5892} seven {H7651} times {H6471}, and the priests {H3548} shall blow {H8628} with the trumpets {H7782}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Seven cohanim are to carry seven shofars in front of the ark. On the seventh day you are to march around the city seven times, and the cohanim will blow the shofars.

Berean Standard Bible

Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns.

American Standard Version

And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 6:4 unveils a pivotal moment in the conquest of Jericho, detailing God's precise and unconventional strategy for the city's downfall. It outlines the specific roles of seven priests, bearing seven trumpets made of rams' horns, and mandates a unique ritual for the climactic seventh day: circling the city seven times before blowing the trumpets. This verse underscores the divine orchestration of the battle, emphasizing faith and obedience over conventional military might, and highlighting the symbolic significance of the number seven in God's perfect plan for Israel's victory.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 6:4 is situated at the heart of the Jericho narrative, following God's initial, seemingly irrational, instructions to Joshua for taking the heavily fortified city. The preceding verses ([Joshua 6:1-3](/joshua/6-1 "Joshua 6:1-3 - God's Instructions for Jericho")) establish Jericho as a sealed stronghold and detail the daily procession for the first six days: armed men, priests, and the [Ark of the Covenant](/joshua/6-6 "Joshua 6:6 - The Ark of the Covenant in the Jericho Narrative") circling the city once. Verse 4 then provides the critical modification for the seventh day, intensifying the ritual and setting the stage for the miraculous collapse of the walls described in [Joshua 6:5](/joshua/6-5 "Joshua 6:5 - The Fall of Jericho's Walls"). This verse is a direct command from God, received by Joshua, and relayed to the people, emphasizing the divine origin and precise nature of the plan.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conquest of Jericho marked Israel's first major military engagement in the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. Jericho was an ancient, heavily fortified city, strategically located at a key entry point into Canaan. Its formidable walls, as evidenced by archaeological findings, would have presented an insurmountable obstacle to conventional assault. The Israelites, having recently renewed their covenant with God at Gilgal and observed Passover ([Joshua 5:10-12](/joshua/5-10 "Joshua 5:10-12 - Passover and Manna Ceases")), were transitioning from a nomadic existence to a settled nation. This transition required a demonstration of God's power and faithfulness, not only to Israel but also to the Canaanite inhabitants, who were aware of Israel's God ([Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Confession")). The method of conquest, involving priests and sacred instruments rather than siege engines, would have been utterly alien to ancient military tactics, further highlighting the supernatural nature of the victory.

* **Key Themes:** Joshua 6:4 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Strategy and Power**, demonstrating that God's ways are not man's ways and that true victory comes not through human strength or conventional warfare, but through divine intervention and miraculous power. The seemingly absurd instructions highlight God's sovereignty over all creation and His ability to achieve His purposes through unconventional means. This verse also underscores the crucial theme of **Obedience and Faith**, as Israel's role was simply to follow God's precise, illogical commands in faith, trusting that He would fulfill His promise. Their faithful adherence was a prerequisite for the miracle, a principle later affirmed in the New Testament regarding the [walls of Jericho falling by faith](/hebrews/11-30 "Hebrews 11:30 - Jericho's Walls Fall by Faith"). Lastly, the pervasive use of the number seven (seven priests, seven trumpets, seven days, seven circuits) emphasizes **Divine Completeness and Perfection**, signifying God's full and sovereign control over the event, marking it as a divinely orchestrated work.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Trumpets of Rams' Horns (Hebrew, _shofarot'_):** The term refers to the _shofar_, a ritualistic instrument made from a ram's horn, distinct from the silver trumpets used for military signals or assembly (e.g., [Numbers 10:2](/numbers/10-2 "Numbers 10:2 - Silver Trumpets for Assembly")). The _shofar_ was used for various sacred purposes: announcing solemn assemblies ([Joel 2:1](/joel/2-1 "Joel 2:1 - Blow the Trumpet in Zion")), signaling the new moon and festivals ([Numbers 10:10](/numbers/10-10 "Numbers 10:10 - Trumpets for Feasts")), proclaiming the Year of Jubilee ([Leviticus 25:9](/leviticus/25-9 "Leviticus 25:9 - Shofar for Jubilee")), and accompanying divine manifestations, such as at Mount Sinai ([Exodus 19:16](/exodus/19-16 "Exodus 19:16 - Trumpet Blast at Sinai")). Its use at Jericho transformed a military confrontation into a spiritual act of worship and declaration of God's imminent judgment and victory, signifying that the battle was primarily spiritual, not physical.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns:"**: This clause establishes the central figures and instruments for the divine strategy. The "seven priests" highlight the sacred nature of the procession, emphasizing a priestly, rather than purely military, leadership. Their position "before the ark" underscores the Ark of the Covenant's centrality as the symbol of God's presence and covenant faithfulness, indicating that God Himself was leading the charge. The "seven trumpets of rams' horns" (shofarot) further emphasize the sacred, ceremonial, and prophetic nature of the impending event, distinct from conventional warfare.
* **"and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times,"**: This part specifies the unique and climactic action for the final day. The repetition of "seventh day" and "seven times" intensifies the symbolic weight of the number seven, signifying divine completion, perfection, and the culmination of God's plan. This amplified ritual on the final day builds anticipation and signifies a decisive, divinely appointed moment for the city's destruction, contrasting with the single daily circuit of the preceding six days.
* **"and the priests shall blow with the trumpets."**: This final clause describes the decisive action that immediately precedes the miracle. The blowing of the shofars, not as a military charge but as a spiritual declaration, serves as a signal for God's intervention. It is an act of faith and obedience, a liturgical sound that announces God's judgment and the fulfillment of His promise, rather than a tactical maneuver. The sound itself, a sacred blast, becomes the catalyst for the supernatural collapse of the walls.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in Joshua 6:4 employs several potent literary devices. **Symbolism** is paramount, with the number seven representing divine completeness, perfection, and covenant fulfillment, recurring throughout the instructions (seven priests, seven trumpets, seven days, seven circuits). The Ark of the Covenant symbolizes God's active, leading presence in the battle, transforming a military campaign into a holy war led by the Lord Himself. The _shofarot_ symbolize not military might, but a sacred call, a declaration of God's judgment and the spiritual nature of the conflict. **Repetition** of the number seven creates a rhythmic, almost liturgical, cadence that emphasizes the divine orchestration and the methodical nature of God's plan. This repetition builds suspense and highlights the absolute precision required for obedience. Furthermore, there is an element of **Divine Irony** or **Paradox**: a heavily fortified city is brought down not by conventional siege warfare, but by seemingly absurd, non-military actions—marching, silence, and the blowing of sacred horns. This highlights the contrast between human strength and divine power, demonstrating that God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 6:4 is a profound testament to God's sovereignty and His unique methods for delivering His people. It teaches that God's power is not limited by human logic or conventional means, and that His plans often defy expectation to magnify His glory. The emphasis on the priests, the Ark, and the sacred shofars underscores that the battle for Jericho was fundamentally a spiritual one, led by God Himself, demonstrating His active presence and leadership in the conquest of the Promised Land. This divine strategy called for unwavering faith and precise obedience from Israel, serving as a foundational lesson for their future interactions with God and their inheritance of the land.

* [Deuteronomy 20:1-4](/deuteronomy/20-1 "God Fights for Israel")
* [Psalm 44:3](/psalms/44-3 "Not by Sword or Arm")
* [Zechariah 4:6](/zechariah/4-6 "Not by Might, Nor by Power")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 6:4 invites contemporary believers to trust in God's unconventional wisdom and power, especially when faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. In a world that often values human ingenuity, strategic planning, and overwhelming force, this verse reminds us that God's ways are often counter-intuitive, designed to highlight His omnipotence and our dependence on Him. It challenges us to embrace radical obedience, even when God's instructions seem illogical or impractical from a worldly perspective. Just as the Israelites were called to march in silence and blow rams' horns, we too may be called to acts of faith that defy human reason, trusting that our consistent, faithful obedience, however small, can unlock God's mighty breakthroughs. This passage reinforces that our battles, particularly spiritual ones, are ultimately God's to fight, and our role is to align ourselves with His divine strategy, allowing His presence to lead the way to victory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jericho walls" are you facing in your life that seem insurmountable by conventional means?**
* **In what areas is God calling you to trust His unconventional wisdom over human logic?**
* **How might a posture of humble, consistent obedience, even in seemingly small or illogical actions, lead to spiritual breakthroughs in your life?**

### FAQ

**Why did God choose such an unusual method for conquering Jericho?**

Answer: God chose this unconventional method for several profound reasons, primarily to demonstrate that the victory was entirely His, not Israel's. By commanding a ritualistic procession involving priests, the Ark of the Covenant, and sacred trumpets, rather than conventional military tactics, God ensured that no human strength or strategic brilliance could claim credit for the city's fall. This method underscored His sovereignty and power, serving as a powerful lesson for Israel about dependence on Him ([Deuteronomy 8:17-18](/deuteronomy/8-17 "Deuteronomy 8:17-18 - Remember the Lord Your God")) and a fearsome display of His might to the surrounding nations ([Joshua 2:9-11](/joshua/2-9 "Joshua 2:9-11 - Rahab's Fear of the Lord")). It was a test of Israel's faith and obedience, proving their willingness to follow God's commands even when they seemed illogical. Furthermore, the use of the _shofar_ and the number seven imbued the event with profound spiritual and symbolic meaning, transforming a military conquest into a sacred act of divine judgment and covenant fulfillment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 6:4, with its emphasis on divine strategy, obedient faith, and the symbolic power of the number seven and the _shofar_, powerfully foreshadows the work and person of Jesus Christ. Just as the priests bearing the Ark led the procession, signifying God's presence at the forefront of the battle, so too does Christ, our Great High Priest ([Hebrews 4:14](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")), lead His people in spiritual warfare. The seemingly absurd method of Jericho's fall—not by military might but by a sacred blast and obedient marching—points to the "foolishness" of God's ultimate plan for salvation through the cross, which appears weak to the world but is the power of God ([1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Foolishness of the Cross")). The seven circuits and seven trumpets culminating in a shout and a collapse prefigure the decisive, singular victory of Christ over sin and death, achieved not through conventional power but through His self-sacrificial obedience. His "shout" from the cross, "It is finished" ([John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished")), marked the complete triumph over spiritual strongholds, bringing down the walls of separation between God and humanity. The blowing of the _shofar_ in Joshua 6:4, signaling judgment and victory, resonates with the trumpet calls in Revelation that announce Christ's final triumph and the consummation of His kingdom ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Seventh Trumpet")). Ultimately, Jericho's fall by faith and divine power is a powerful type of the spiritual victory achieved by Christ, enabling believers to conquer their own spiritual "walls" through faith in Him.

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

Revelation 16:1

¶ And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the earth.

2 Chronicles 20:17

Ye shall not [need] to fight in this [battle]: set yourselves, stand ye [still], and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD [will be] with you.

Revelation 8:2

And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.

2 Chronicles 20:21

And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy [endureth] for ever.

1 Kings 18:43

And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, [There is] nothing. And he said, Go again seven times.

Leviticus 14:16

And the priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that [is] in his left hand, and shall sprinkle of the oil with his finger seven times before the LORD:

Revelation 10:3

And cried with a loud voice, as [when] a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.