Joshua 6 19

Joshua 6:19 kjv

But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

Joshua 6:19 nkjv

But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the LORD."

Joshua 6:19 niv

All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury."

Joshua 6:19 esv

But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD."

Joshua 6:19 nlt

Everything made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron is sacred to the LORD and must be brought into his treasury."

Joshua 6 verses

Joshua 6 19 Meaning

Joshua 6:19 commands that specific materials from the conquered city of Jericho—silver, gold, and vessels of copper and iron—are to be considered consecrated and set apart exclusively for the LORD. Unlike other spoils which were under a specific ban (herem) for destruction or exclusion, these valuable metals and items were not for human possession or destruction, but were designated to be placed into the divine treasury, intended for the LORD's service and the maintenance of the Tabernacle or future Temple.

Joshua 6 19 Context

Joshua 6:19 is part of the narrative detailing the miraculous fall of Jericho, the first city encountered by the Israelites in the promised land. Chapters 1-5 establish Joshua as Moses' successor, the crossing of the Jordan, and the covenant renewal at Gilgal. Chapter 6 outlines God's specific, unusual instructions for the conquest of Jericho: the people were to march around the city for seven days, culminating in a mighty shout that would cause the walls to collapse. Crucially, before the battle, God issues commands concerning the spoils. The entire city, except for Rahab and her household, was declared herem (חרם), meaning utterly devoted or set apart, which in this case implied complete destruction for most inhabitants and contents. Joshua 6:19 clarifies a critical exception: while many things were to be burned or destroyed, precious metals and metal vessels were to be consecrated to the LORD's treasury. This command serves as a pre-emptive boundary, testing Israel's obedience and reverence before the wealth of Canaan tempted them, directly preceding the stark disobedience of Achan detailed in Chapter 7. Historically, Jericho, strategically located, symbolized the initial test of Israel's faith in God's power and adherence to His unique laws of conquest, emphasizing that the victory was God's, and all glory and specific spoils belonged to Him.

Joshua 6 19 Word analysis

• But: (וְרַק - `və·raq`) This conjunction signals a strong contrast or exception to the preceding command to burn the city and all within it (Joshua 6:17-18). It highlights a specific distinction God makes for certain materials, underscoring a nuanced command within the `herem` decree.
• all the silver and gold: (כֶּסֶף וְזָהָב - `kesef və·zahav`) `Kesef` (silver) and `zahav` (gold) denote highly valuable and durable metals. These were not to be destroyed, melted, or taken for personal gain, but preserved. This specifies God’s proprietary claim over what is most precious and enduring.
• and vessels of copper and iron: (כְּלֵי נְחֹשֶׁת וּבַרְזֶל - `kəley nəkhoshet uvarzel`) `Nekhoshet` refers to copper or bronze, and `barzel` means iron. These were common, durable metals used for tools, implements, and various containers in ancient societies. Unlike the preceding metals, which are intrinsically valuable, these refer to crafted articles, highlighting their utility for the Tabernacle/Temple, indicating a practical, enduring use for divine service.
• are holy to the LORD; (קֹדֶשׁ לַיהוָה - `kodesh l'YHWH`)
  • `Kodesh` (קֹדֶשׁ): This is a crucial term meaning "holy," "set apart," or "consecrated." It signifies an object's complete dedication and separation from common use for an exclusive sacred purpose belonging to God.
  • `l'YHWH` (לַיהוָה): "to the LORD" (Yahweh). This specifies the exclusive recipient and owner of the consecrated items. It reinforces that these items are not for personal enrichment, sacrifice to other gods, or any other use, but are divinely appropriated. This demonstrates God’s supreme authority and absolute claim.
• they shall come into the treasury of the LORD. (לְאוֹצַר יְהוָה יָבוֹא - `lə'otzar YHWH yavo`)
  • `Ot·zar` (אוֹצָר): This refers to a "treasury," "storehouse," or "depository." It's not merely a financial vault but a storage area for valuable goods, dedicated to supporting the activities of the Tabernacle and later the Temple. It was for resources, materials, and offerings used in divine service.
  • `Yavo` (יָבוֹא): "they shall come." This implies a definitive, mandated action; it is not optional but a divine decree.

• words-group: "holy to the LORD": This phrase unequivocally states the divine ownership and sacred purpose of the metals. It separates these materials from anything mundane or available for common human use, placing them in God’s special domain. It also implicitly establishes a legal framework for divine appropriation of resources from warfare.
• words-group: "treasury of the LORD": This denotes a designated sacred space within the sanctuary complex. It points to God's foresight and practical arrangement for the material support and functioning of His worship. These items would have contributed to the fabrication of new vessels, repairs, or other sacred needs as directed by God, ensuring the continuous support of the covenant relationship through sacred space and rituals. This phrase underlines that God not only claims the items but also has a designated place for their preservation and use for His purposes.

Joshua 6 19 Bonus section

The types of metals specified (silver, gold, copper/bronze, iron) are not exhaustive of all materials, but represent those with lasting value and utility that could withstand burning (unlike wood or fabric which were to be consumed). This highlights a distinction in the herem decree: living beings and corruptible materials were for utter destruction, but incorruptible metals had a purified destiny for sacred service. This demonstrates God’s ability to take even items from a cursed, devoted city and sanctify them for His glory, showcasing His redemptive power. The emphasis on the "treasury" points to the communal aspect of Israel's relationship with God, where resources are pooled not for individual benefit, but for the support of their collective worship and the ongoing presence of God among them through the Tabernacle/Temple. This act of setting apart valuables for God reflects a core principle of divine economy in the Bible.

Joshua 6 19 Commentary

Joshua 6:19 profoundly reveals God's sovereignty over all creation, even the spoils of war. While Jericho was largely under a ban for destruction (herem) due to its wickedness, God made a distinct exception for durable and valuable metals. These were not to be taken as personal gain by the Israelites, nor destroyed, but sanctified (kodesh) for His exclusive service and deposited in the Tabernacle's treasury. This act emphasized that the victory was solely God's, and thus all glory and specific enduring assets belonged to Him. It was a test of Israel's obedience and trust, reinforcing the theological truth that true worship requires giving God His due, especially the first and best, and what is valuable. This also provided practical resources for the upkeep of the Tabernacle and future Temple, signifying divine provision for the means of worship. The command also serves as a sharp moral distinction against pagan practices where conquerors would appropriate spoils for personal wealth or idolatrous purposes; here, all wealth, even from warfare, was dedicated to the one true God, demonstrating His absolute claim and unique holiness. It foreshadows the tragic outcome in Joshua 7, where Achan’s sin highlights the severe consequences of violating this specific command.