Joshua 5 13

Joshua 5:13 kjv

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

Joshua 5:13 nkjv

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, "Are You for us or for our adversaries?"

Joshua 5:13 niv

Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"

Joshua 5:13 esv

When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?"

Joshua 5:13 nlt

When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and demanded, "Are you friend or foe?"

Joshua 5 verses

Joshua 5 13 Meaning

Joshua 5:13 recounts the moment Joshua, Israel's leader, standing near Jericho, encounters a mysterious figure described as a man with a drawn sword. Joshua, perceiving him to be a potential ally or foe in the impending conquest, directly questions his allegiance. This encounter signals a critical divine intervention, setting the stage for the upcoming battles under the explicit command and authority of the LORD.

Joshua 5 13 Context

Joshua 5 finds Israel in a crucial phase of their history: they have just miraculously crossed the Jordan River into the promised land, confirming the LORD's presence with Joshua as He was with Moses. Immediately prior to this verse, the generation born in the wilderness underwent mass circumcision at Gilgal, symbolically removing the reproach of Egypt and reaffirming their covenant with God. This act was followed by the celebration of Passover, an event rich in symbolism of deliverance and remembrance. The cessation of manna signaled a shift to sustenance from the land itself, indicating their arrival. Thus, the camp at Gilgal is a consecrated and prepared people, spiritually ready for the daunting task of conquering Jericho, the first major city in Canaan. Joshua 5:13, therefore, occurs at a pivotal moment, right on the threshold of military conquest, emphasizing that the impending battles are not merely human endeavors but part of a divinely directed holy war, reinforcing YHWH's active role as the true Commander of His people. The encounter implicitly challenges Canaanite beliefs where human kings might appeal to their deities (like Baal or Dagon) for aid, but the idea of a heavenly general directly commanding earthly forces is unique to the Israelite understanding of YHWH as the supreme Warrior-God, sovereign over all earthly powers and spiritual realms.

Joshua 5 13 Word analysis

• And it came to pass (וַיְהִי, vayhi): A common Hebrew narrative marker, often used to introduce a significant event or turning point in a story. It highlights that what follows is important.
• when Joshua was by Jericho (בִּירִיחוֹ, bi-Yericho): Establishes the precise location, a highly fortified and symbolic first city for the conquest. The preposition "by" (b) denotes "in," "at," or "near," emphasizing the imminent engagement.
• that he lifted up his eyes (וַיִּשָּׂא אֶת עֵינָיו, wayyisa et-einayv): A frequent biblical idiom signaling focused attention or discerning something out of the ordinary, often preceding a vision or a divine encounter. It denotes purposeful observation beyond casual glancing.
• and looked, and, behold, there stood a man (וַיַּרְא, וְהִנֵּה אִישׁ עֹמֵד, wayyar, wehinneh ish omed): "And looked" signifies active perception. "Behold" (hinneh) introduces an immediate, surprising, or striking discovery. "A man" (ish): this term often refers to a male human, but in the context of a "drawn sword" and the subsequent identity reveal (in v. 14 as "Commander of the LORD's army"), it hints at a figure who appears human but possesses extraordinary, divine attributes. This points towards a theophanic or christophanic appearance.
• over against him (לְנֶגְדּוֹ, le-negdo): Implies standing directly opposite, in close proximity, suggesting a direct confrontation or encounter rather than a distant observation.
• with his sword drawn in his hand (וְחַרְבּוֹ שְׁלוּפָה בְּיָדוֹ, wecharbo shelufa b'yado):
  • "sword" (cherev): a weapon of war and judgment.
  • "drawn" (shalufah from shalaf): Unsleeved, unsheathed, ready for use. This detail is crucial; it symbolizes military readiness, authority, or imminent action, whether for judgment or protection. This figure is not merely present but poised for battle.
• and Joshua went unto him (וַיֵּלֶךְ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ אֵלָיו, wayyelech Yehoshua elayv): Joshua's boldness and proactive approach. He confronts the unknown figure directly, characteristic of a military commander.
• and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? (וַיֹּאמֶר לוֹ הֲלָנוּ אַתָּה אוֹ לְצָרֵינוּ, wayyomer lo ha-lanu atah o le-tsareinu): Joshua's pragmatic, direct, and immediate military question. He seeks to identify the figure's allegiance in a clear, binary "us" versus "them" scenario during wartime. This indicates Joshua's recognition of the serious, confrontational nature of the situation.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho...": This opening sets the historical and geographical scene, underscoring the immediate context of military engagement. The ordinary narrative introduction frames an extraordinary divine encounter within the reality of human events.
• "...he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man...": This phrase describes Joshua's active perception of an unusual, sudden appearance. The visual details (lifting eyes, looking) emphasize the reality of the encounter, not merely a dream or vision. "Behold" heightens the dramatic impact of the unexpected revelation. The seemingly ordinary term "a man" foreshadows an identity beyond mere humanity.
• "...with his sword drawn in his hand": This imagery immediately characterizes the figure as a warrior, wielding authority and preparedness. The unsheathed sword signals an active role in the unfolding conflict, making Joshua's subsequent question about allegiance pertinent and urgent.
• "and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?": Joshua's bold initiative in approaching and his direct, strategic question demonstrate his character as a leader. This critical question encapsulates the reality of spiritual warfare and discerning alignment—not just for Joshua but for all who stand at critical junctures. It signifies Joshua’s readiness to discern between divine aid and satanic opposition, reflecting the biblical understanding that battles are often spiritual in nature.

Joshua 5 13 Bonus section

The "man" in Joshua 5:13 is strongly identified in the very next verse (Josh 5:14) as the "Commander of the LORD's army." Many biblical scholars and theologians interpret this figure as a Christophany, a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ, due to Joshua's subsequent worship (which would be inappropriate for an angel) and the command to remove his sandals, reminiscent of God's command to Moses at the burning bush (Ex 3:5). This identity elevates the encounter from a mere angelic visitation to a direct divine revelation, underscoring the direct involvement of God Himself in leading Israel's conquest. This implies that victory belongs solely to the Commander, and Israel's role is to follow His divine strategies. The episode emphasizes humility and reliance on divine strength over human strength or wisdom, a timeless principle of biblical warfare and spiritual living.

Joshua 5 13 Commentary

Joshua 5:13 initiates a pivotal encounter where the earthly commander of Israel faces the Heavenly Commander of God's forces. This scene serves as a dramatic divine reaffirmation of authority. Joshua, acting with the practical instinct of a general, probes the identity of this mysterious armed figure, asking the quintessential question of allegiance in a conflict: "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?" The mere appearance of this figure, poised with a drawn sword at such a critical moment, underscores that the upcoming conquest of Canaan is not merely a geopolitical conflict, but a spiritual war directed and led by the Almighty. This encounter foreshadows that Israel's success will depend not on its own military prowess or strategic planning, but on recognizing and submitting to God's ultimate authority over the battle, a crucial lesson for Joshua and for the nation, setting the stage for their dependence on divine strategy and intervention rather than conventional warfare tactics. This serves as an immediate test of Joshua's discernment and obedience as Israel’s leader, moving him from Moses’ successor to God’s lieutenant in the battle ahead.