Joshua 6 5

Joshua 6:5 kjv

And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

Joshua 6:5 nkjv

It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him."

Joshua 6:5 niv

When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in."

Joshua 6:5 esv

And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him."

Joshua 6:5 nlt

When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams' horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town."

Joshua 6 verses

Joshua 6 5 Meaning

Joshua 6:5 outlines the precise divine command given to the Israelites for the climactic event that would lead to the collapse of Jericho's formidable walls. It states that when the priests make a prolonged blast with the ram's horn and the people hear that specific sound, all of them are to respond with a powerful, unified shout. This coordinated act of faith and obedience, orchestrated by God, is explicitly tied to the immediate and complete collapse of the city wall, enabling the Israelites to conquer Jericho directly and decisively.

Joshua 6 5 Context

Joshua chapter 6 details the siege and miraculous fall of Jericho, the first city encountered by the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River into Canaan. It sets the stage for Israel's conquest of the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Josh 6:1-4) describe the elaborate and seemingly illogical divine strategy given to Joshua: marching around the city once a day for six days, with the armed men, priests, and the Ark of the Covenant, while seven priests carried ram's horn trumpets. On the seventh day, they were to march around seven times. Joshua 6:5 specifically gives the final, culminating instruction for this elaborate ritual, detailing the sound, the collective shout, and the guaranteed miraculous outcome, highlighting the emphasis on absolute obedience to God's peculiar battle plan rather than conventional warfare tactics. Historically, Jericho was an ancient, strongly fortified city, a major Canaanite stronghold, symbolizing the formidable obstacles Israel would face. The method of its fall demonstrates a clear polemic against the reliance on human military might and fortified defenses, asserting God's absolute sovereignty and power to deliver victory by His chosen means.

Joshua 6 5 Word analysis

• And it shall be: Signifies a definite and sure future event, a divine decree, implying God's control and reliability.
• that when they make: Points to the active, obedient participation of the Israelites as a direct response to divine instruction.
• a long blast: From the Hebrew mashak (משך), meaning "to draw out, prolong." This isn't a quick sound but a sustained, continuous note, building tension and anticipation, setting a precise signal.
• with the ram's horn: Refers to yovel (יוֹבֵל), the specific ram's horn used primarily for the Year of Jubilee, symbolizing freedom, deliverance, and a new beginning. Distinct from the more general shofar. Its use here suggests a moment of liberation from their long journey and the beginning of a new inheritance.
• and when you hear the sound of the trumpet: Emphasizes audibility and precise timing for action. The people's unified action depended on this clear auditory signal, indicating the importance of attentiveness to God's appointed signal. The term shofar (שֹׁפָר) is used here more generally for the sound, reinforcing the auditory cue.
• all the people: Stresses the unity and collective obedience of the entire Israelite community. No one was to be left out or remain silent.
• shall shout: From the Hebrew rua (רוּעַ), a word indicating a loud, collective noise such as a war cry, an acclamation, or a shout of triumph or alarm. It's not just a casual yell but a unified, faith-filled declaration of God's coming victory.
• with a great shout: Intensifies the preceding "shall shout," emphasizing the magnitude, power, and unison of the sound they were to produce, expressing fervent expectation and trust.
• that the wall of the city: Specifically identifies the seemingly impregnable fortification as the direct target of God's intervention.
• will fall down flat: Naphal tachath (נָפַל תַּחַת) indicates a complete, devastating collapse "under itself" or "in its place." The walls would not merely crumble or lean but collapse entirely to their foundations, clearing a direct path for the attackers. This phrase visually portrays utter destruction and impassability overcome.
• and the people shall go up: Immediate action following the miracle, emphasizing the instantaneous effect and Israel's preparedness for direct invasion.
• every man straight before him: Signifies an unobstructed, direct assault without needing to climb, clear debris, or seek weaker points. The collapse would create a flat path for direct entry.

Joshua 6 5 Bonus section

The number seven is prominent throughout Joshua 6 (seven priests, seven trumpets, seven days, seven circuits on the seventh day), symbolizing completion, divine perfection, and covenant in biblical numerology. The precise, choreographed ritual, devoid of any visible military might beyond basic armed men, deliberately showcased God as the warrior. The collective shout, born out of faith and years of wandering, was not a human military tactic but a unified expression of dependence on Yahweh, similar to a shout of praise. This event serves as a foundational example of spiritual warfare, where "weapons are not carnal" but derive power from God, echoing throughout scripture the principle that the impossible becomes possible when faith aligns with God's commands. It sets a precedent that fortified barriers (spiritual or physical) crumble before the command and power of the Sovereign LORD, particularly when met with a believing response.

Joshua 6 5 Commentary

Joshua 6:5 is a profound display of divine power channeled through human obedience and faith. The seemingly nonsensical military strategy for Jericho’s fall underscored that the battle was the LORD’s, not Israel's. The prolonged trumpet blast and the unified great shout were acts of worship, a declaration of trust in God's promises, rather than a physical means of demolishing stone. It teaches that God often uses unconventional methods to demonstrate His power, making it clear that victory comes from Him alone, not human ingenuity or strength. The miraculous collapse of the walls was a testament to God’s covenant faithfulness, validating Joshua's leadership, confirming God's presence among His people, and demonstrating His sovereignty over all human endeavors and strongholds.