Joshua 6 13

Joshua 6:13 kjv

And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rearward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

Joshua 6:13 nkjv

Then seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually and blew with the trumpets. And the armed men went before them. But the rear guard came after the ark of the LORD, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets.

Joshua 6:13 niv

The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets kept sounding.

Joshua 6:13 esv

And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets blew continually.

Joshua 6:13 nlt

The seven priests with the rams' horns marched in front of the Ark of the LORD, blowing their horns. Again the armed men marched both in front of the priests with the horns and behind the Ark of the LORD. All this time the priests were blowing their horns.

Joshua 6 verses

Joshua 6 13 Meaning

Joshua 6:13 describes the procession of the Israelites around Jericho on the sixth day, emphasizing the central role of priests, sacred items, and symbolic actions in this divine military strategy. It portrays seven priests carrying seven shofarot (ram's horns), continuously blowing them as they marched before the Ark of the Lord, while armed men led the way and a rearguard followed the Ark. This meticulous detail underscores the Ark's preeminence as the dwelling place of God's presence, signifying that the victory was orchestrated by Yahweh Himself, not by Israel's might or typical warfare tactics. The repetitive and priestly elements highlight a worshipful act and an exercise of faith and obedience, anticipating God's miraculous intervention.

Joshua 6 13 Context

Joshua chapter 6 details the extraordinary and unconventional method by which the city of Jericho was taken. Following God's explicit instructions (Josh 6:2-5), the Israelites were commanded to march around the city for seven days. For six days, they were to circle it once, led by armed men, followed by seven priests blowing trumpets of ram's horns, then the Ark of the Lord, and finally a rearguard. On the seventh day, they were to march seven times, and upon a long blast of the shofar, all the people were to shout, leading to the collapse of Jericho's walls. Verse 13 specifically describes the components and their order during this daily ritual, reinforcing the sacred and non-military nature of the assault, highlighting reliance on divine power rather than human strength or siege warfare. This event serves as a foundational example of Yahweh fighting for His people, demonstrating His covenant faithfulness and power to conquer even the most formidable obstacles.

Joshua 6 13 Word analysis

• And seven priests (וְשִׁבְעָה כֹּהֲנִים - v'shiv'ah kohanim):

  • Seven (shiv'ah): This number holds profound symbolic significance in the Bible, representing completeness, perfection, and divine action (e.g., seven days of creation, seven-day festivals, many prophetic numbers). Here, it emphasizes a divinely ordained, perfect plan unfolding. The priests, specifically chosen for their sacred role, lead this unique "warfare."
  • Priests (kohanim): Designated by God for cultic service, mediating between God and people. Their prominent role in this military action transforms it from a secular battle into a sacred event, an act of worship and obedience. This signifies that God, through His representatives, is actively engaged.

• bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns (שִׁבְעָה שׁוֹפְרוֹת הַיּוֹבְלִים - shiv'ah shofarot ha-yovlim):

  • Trumpets (shofarot): Ram's horn. Unlike silver trumpets (Num 10) used for assembly or specific military signals, the shofar carries ancient, primeval associations. It was used in worship, to proclaim new moons and festivals, signal alarm (Joel 2:1), and herald divine presence (Exod 19:16, Mt 24:31).
  • Rams' horns (ha-yovlim): This term is often connected to the "year of jubilee" (Lev 25), implying themes of liberty, restoration, and return. The sound of these trumpets foreshadows not just conquest, but a profound transformation and God's sovereign control. Their natural origin, in contrast to man-made metal, might emphasize raw, unrefined divine power.

• before the ark of the Lord (לִפְנֵי אֲרוֹן יְהוָה - lifnei Aron Yahweh):

  • Before (lifnei): Physically indicates position but spiritually implies precedence and veneration. The priests and shofars go ahead, clearing the way or proclaiming the Ark's approach.
  • The ark of the Lord (Aron Yahweh): The most sacred object in Israel, representing God's throne and covenant presence. It contained the tablets of the Law, Aaron's staff, and manna, symbolizing God's faithfulness, authority, and provision. Its presence ensured God's direct involvement and authority over the battle, turning it into divine warfare.

• went on continually, and blew with the trumpets (הָלוֹךְ וְתָקְעוּ בַּשּׁוֹפָרוֹת - halokh v'tak'u ba'shofarot):

  • Went on continually (halokh v'tak'u): A literal translation implies "going and blowing." This intensive form denotes continuous action, perseverance, and dedication. The uninterrupted sound underscores the unwavering obedience and persistent declaration of God's presence and impending judgment/victory. It wasn't sporadic; it was a constant declaration.

• and the armed men went before them (וְהֶחָלוּץ הֹלֵךְ לִפְנֵיהֶם - v'hechalutz holekh lifneihem):

  • Armed men (hechalutz): The vanguard, the first contingent. Not engaging in combat but setting the pace, symbolizing protection or clearing the path. Their presence here highlights that while it's a spiritual battle, it still has earthly components, but God controls their deployment.

• but the rearward came after the ark of the Lord (וְהַמְאַסֵּף הֹלֵךְ אַחֲרֵי אֲרוֹן יְהוָה - v'ha'me'asef holekh acharei Aron Yahweh):

  • Rearward (hame'asef): The rearguard. This protective position often implies safeguarding and securing what comes after, in this case, the highly vulnerable Ark. This echoes Isaiah 52:12, where God Himself acts as Israel's rearguard, signifying divine protection surrounding His presence. The entire formation, with God's Ark at the center, symbolizes Yahweh's encompassing care for His people.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord went on continually, and blew with the trumpets": This clause describes the sacred core of the procession. The priestly (religious authority), numeric (divine completeness), instrumental (ancient cultic sound), and directional (before the Ark) elements converge to declare that this is a divine act. The continual blowing is a sustained spiritual declaration, a sonic manifestation of faith and obedience, proclaiming God's sovereignty over Jericho and Israel.

• "and the armed men went before them; but the rearward came after the ark of the Lord": This describes the military escort and protective formation around the sacred elements. The "armed men" as vanguard signify a ready but non-engaging presence, their swords sheathed in this unique battle. The "rearward" (rearguard) implies protection and completion of the procession. The entire arrangement—vanguard, priests, Ark, rearguard—forms a spiritual and strategic envelope, emphasizing God's omnidirectional presence (Exod 14:19-20, Isa 52:12), protecting His covenant people and His holy presence. It underscores that though an army is present, it is an ordered escort, not a combat unit in this phase. The battle is Yahweh's.

Joshua 6 13 Bonus section

The seemingly "foolish" strategy of marching and blowing trumpets, rather than directly attacking, served as a profound test of faith for the Israelites. This public display of trust in God's bizarre command highlighted that the victory was entirely His, removing any possibility for Israel to boast in its own military prowess. The sevenfold cycle, culminating on the seventh day, points to God's Sabbath rhythm of creation and new beginnings, signifying a new phase for Israel's conquest under God's supernatural provision. The use of shofars, instruments of revelation, worship, and judgment, transformed a potential battleground into a stage for divine manifestation. This narrative prefigures a pattern where God often uses seemingly weak or irrational means to achieve His mighty purposes, demanding and rewarding simple obedience (Heb 11:30).

Joshua 6 13 Commentary

Joshua 6:13 encapsulates the heart of Jericho's unique siege, revealing it less as a military campaign and more as a sacred pilgrimage of faith. The prominence of priests, the specific shofarim, and especially the Ark of the Lord underscore that this was a divine work, initiated and empowered by God. The meticulous order and continuous action symbolize unwavering obedience and persistent trust in God's unconventional plan. This verse demonstrates that God's ways are often paradoxical to human reason (1 Cor 1:25), and victory comes through obedient reliance on His power rather than human might or conventional strategies. It is a powerful lesson in spiritual warfare, where the "battle" is fought not by human weaponry, but by divine command and the active presence of God among His people, affirmed through acts of worship and faith.