Joshua 6:10

And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall [any] word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.

And Joshua {H3091} had commanded {H6680} the people {H5971}, saying {H559}, Ye shall not shout {H7321}, nor make any noise {H8085} with your voice {H6963}, neither shall any word {H1697} proceed {H3318} out of your mouth {H6310}, until the day {H3117} I bid {H559} you shout {H7321}; then shall ye shout {H7321}.

Y'hoshua gave this order to the people: "Don't shout, don't let your voice be heard, don't let a single word out of your mouth until the day I tell you to shout; then you will shout."

But Joshua had commanded the people: โ€œDo not give a battle cry or let your voice be heard; do not let one word come out of your mouth until the day I tell you to shout. Then you are to shout!โ€

And Joshua commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor let your voice be heard, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.

Commentary

Context

Joshua 6:10 is a pivotal command given by Joshua to the Israelite army just before the miraculous siege and fall of Jericho. After crossing the Jordan River and entering the promised land of Canaan, Jericho was the first major obstacle. God had given very specific, unconventional instructions for conquering the city: the army was to march silently around Jericho once a day for six days, accompanied by priests blowing trumpets. This verse details Joshua's precise order for absolute silence from the people during these marches, reserving their collective shout for the seventh day, at God's appointed time. This command underscored the unique, divinely orchestrated nature of the upcoming victory, which would not be won by conventional military might but by God's power.

Key Themes

  • Obedience to Divine Command: The primary message is the absolute necessity of following God's instructions meticulously, no matter how unusual or counter-intuitive they may seem. The Israelites' strict adherence to this silent march was a test of their faith and obedience.
  • Discipline and Restraint: Commanding a large multitude to maintain complete silence for days required immense discipline. It prevented premature action, murmuring, fear-driven shouts, or human strategizing, ensuring that the focus remained on God's plan and timing.
  • Faith Over Human Strength: The victory at Jericho was designed to be a clear demonstration of God's power, not human military prowess. The silence emphasized reliance on God's supernatural intervention, highlighting the principle that by faith the walls fell, not by human noise or force.
  • God's Sovereignty in Battle: This command reinforced that the battle belonged to the Lord. The silence was a period of expectant waiting for God to act, culminating in His appointed signal for the decisive shout.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV text uses strong, repetitive language to emphasize the complete lack of sound: "not shout," "nor make any noise with your voice," "neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth." The Hebrew verbs and nouns here, such as ืจื•ึผืขึท (rua' - to shout, raise a war cry) and ืงื•ึนืœ (qol - voice, sound), combined with ื“ึผึธื‘ึธืจ (davar - word), paint a picture of absolute, enforced quiet. This was not merely quietness, but a commanded stillness of all vocal expression, underscoring the solemnity and unique nature of the divine strategy.

Practical Application

Joshua's command to silence holds timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Trusting God's Unconventional Ways: Sometimes God's methods for victory or breakthrough are not what we expect. This verse encourages us to trust His wisdom and follow His leading, even when it seems illogical by human standards.
  • The Power of Patient Waiting: There are times when God calls us to a period of quiet waiting, observation, and prayer before He reveals the next step or brings about a desired outcome. This silence can build discipline and faith.
  • Restraining the Tongue: Just as the Israelites were commanded to restrain their voices, we are often called to exercise discipline in our speech, especially in challenging or uncertain times. Waiting for God's timing before speaking or acting can prevent mistakes and allow God to work.
  • Acknowledging God's Sovereignty: The story of Jericho reminds us that our greatest victories come not from our own strength or cleverness, but from humbly relying on God's power and obeying His specific instructions.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 12:19 (4 votes)

    He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear his voice in the streets.

  • Isaiah 42:2 (4 votes)

    He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

  • Luke 24:49 (4 votes)

    And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

  • 2 Samuel 5:23 (3 votes)

    And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; [but] fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees.

  • 2 Samuel 5:24 (3 votes)

    And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines.

  • Isaiah 28:16 (3 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner [stone], a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

  • Acts 1:7 (3 votes)

    And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.