Joshua 6 1

Joshua 6:1 kjv

Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

Joshua 6:1 nkjv

Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.

Joshua 6:1 niv

Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.

Joshua 6:1 esv

Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in.

Joshua 6:1 nlt

Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in.

Joshua 6 verses

Joshua 6 1 Meaning

Jericho, a strategic and heavily fortified city, was completely sealed off due to the intense fear its inhabitants felt towards the invading Israelites. No one within the city was allowed to leave, and no one from outside could enter. This complete closure highlights the city's self-imposed isolation and apparent impregnability, setting the stage for a unique divine intervention rather than a conventional military assault.

Joshua 6 1 Context

Joshua chapter 6 verse 1 serves as the crucial opening statement for the iconic narrative of Jericho's fall. Immediately prior, in Joshua chapter 5, the Israelites observed Passover and the manna ceased, signifying a new phase in God's provision and the beginning of the conquest. Most significantly, Joshua encountered the Commander of the Lord's army (likely a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ), who affirmed God's active presence and leadership in the impending battle. This encounter established that the conquest of Jericho would be a divine work, not merely a human military endeavor. Therefore, Joshua 6:1 is not just a geographical description but a deliberate setting of the scene, highlighting the impossibility of the task from a human perspective, thus magnifying the supernatural victory that follows. Historically, fortified cities were the primary defense in the Ancient Near East, making Jericho's impenetrable state a testament to its strategic importance and a monumental challenge for any invading army. This verse directly sets up the need for a divine solution, making it clear that Yahweh's power alone would overcome the seemingly invincible obstacle.

Joshua 6 1 Word analysis

• Now Jericho (וְיְרִיחוֹ):
  • וְ (ve-): Hebrew conjunction "and," often functions as "now" or "so," indicating a logical progression in the narrative.
  • יְרִיחוֹ (Yericho): "Jericho." Derived from a root meaning "fragrant" or "moon" (as in "moon-city"). It was an ancient city, strategically located in the Jordan Valley, controlling access to the central highlands of Canaan. It was well-known for its strong fortifications, setting up a major obstacle for the Israelites.
• was tightly shut up (סָגוֹר וּמְסֻגֶּרֶת):
  • סָגוֹר (sagor) & וּמְסֻגֶּרֶת (umesuggeret): A Hebrew construct emphasizing totality and intensity, often translated as "tightly shut up," "completely shut up," or "securely enclosed." Sagor is an infinitive absolute, serving as an intensive adverb to mesuggeret, which is a passive participle. This highlights the absolute state of closure; it wasn't just closed, but totally and hermetically sealed. It signifies an impenetrable fortress.
  • Significance: This dual phrasing underscores the absolute, complete isolation of Jericho. It removes any human possibility of infiltration or conventional attack, thereby magnifying God's impending supernatural intervention. It also reveals the city's inhabitants believed they were impregnable, relying solely on their defenses.
• because of the Israelites (מִפְּנֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל):
  • מִפְּנֵי (mippǝnê): "because of," "on account of," "from the presence of." This preposition clarifies the motivation for Jericho's closure.
  • בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (Bĕnê Yiśrāʾēl): "Sons of Israel" or "Israelites." This refers to the entire nation, not just their army.
  • Significance: The cause of Jericho's lockdown was profound fear. The reputation of Yahweh, demonstrated through the exodus from Egypt and the crossing of the Jordan, had spread (as confessed by Rahab in Jos 2:9-11), causing dread among the Canaanites. This fear-driven action unwittingly played into God's plan, setting the stage for a dramatic display of His power, demonstrating that no human stronghold, however strong or fearful, could stand against Him.
• no one went out and no one came in (אֵין יוֹצֵא וְאֵין בָּא):
  • אֵין (ein): "there is no," indicating a complete absence or negation.
  • יוֹצֵא (yoṣeʾ): Present participle "going out."
  • בָּא (baʾ): Present participle "coming in."
  • Significance: This reiterates and confirms the complete isolation stated previously. It signifies a cessation of normal life, trade, communication, or military reconnaissance. It underlines the extent of their fear-induced paralysis and total self-containment, confirming the military deadlock from a human standpoint, necessitating a divine solution. The people of Jericho were effectively trapped within their own "secure" prison.

Joshua 6 1 Bonus section

• Archaeological Insights: While scholarly debate exists on the precise dating and nature of Jericho's archaeological layers corresponding to the biblical account, the site itself, Tell es-Sultan, shows a history of strong fortifications in various periods, indicating Jericho was consistently a strategically important and heavily fortified settlement. Its prominence made its miraculous fall even more significant.
• Symbolic Meaning of "Shut Up": Jericho being "tightly shut up" not only indicates its military status but can also be seen symbolically as a city spiritually "closed off" to God, demonstrating a deep resistance. This closed state would ultimately lead to its downfall as divine light and power could not be contained or excluded by human defenses. In contrast, Rahab, a Gentile within Jericho, opened her home and heart to the God of Israel, receiving life amidst the city's destruction.
• A "Closed" Enemy: This self-imposed imprisonment, born of fear, ironically trapped the inhabitants. They were sealed within their doom, demonstrating that attempting to escape God's plan through human might or evasion only leads to being further enclosed by divine judgment.

Joshua 6 1 Commentary

Joshua 6:1 provides the crucial military context for the extraordinary events that follow. By stating Jericho was "tightly shut up" because of the Israelites, the text immediately conveys the immense challenge facing Joshua. This was not a lightly defended outpost but a formidable stronghold whose inhabitants were consumed by terror of God's people. This intense fear led them to completely isolate themselves, rendering conventional siege tactics—which typically relied on cutting off supplies or forcing capitulation—less effective as an initial strategy, but more importantly, it underscores the spiritual dimension of the battle. The closed gates serve as a symbol of human limitations and self-reliance versus divine power. It signals that this conquest would not be achieved by Israel's strength, cunning, or typical siege warfare, but solely through the obedient application of God's unique and seemingly illogical instructions. This narrative served as a polemic against the contemporary beliefs in fortified cities and their patron gods as invincible; it declared Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and structures, emphasizing that God fights for His people, and through faith, no obstacle is insurmountable.