Joshua 6 8

Joshua 6:8 kjv

And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

Joshua 6:8 nkjv

So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

Joshua 6:8 niv

When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD's covenant followed them.

Joshua 6:8 esv

And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD following them.

Joshua 6:8 nlt

After Joshua spoke to the people, the seven priests with the rams' horns started marching in the presence of the LORD, blowing the horns as they marched. And the Ark of the LORD's Covenant followed behind them.

Joshua 6 verses

Joshua 6 8 Meaning

Joshua 6:8 describes a pivotal moment in the fall of Jericho, where the divinely ordained strategy for conquest unfolds. It portrays the immediate obedience of the Israelite leadership, specifically seven priests, as they follow Joshua's instructions—which are themselves a direct transmission of God's command. These priests, bearing specific ritual instruments (seven trumpets made of rams' horns), take their position "before the Lord," indicating a profound awareness of God's presence and active leadership in the procession, and begin to blow the trumpets. This action signifies the start of a divinely orchestrated, non-conventional military operation, relying on faith, worship, and God's power rather than human might or siege engines. The trumpets' sound is both a declaration of war, a call to worship, and an audible demonstration of the unique nature of this conquest led by YHWH.

Joshua 6 8 Context

Joshua chapter 6 details the siege and miraculous fall of Jericho. This highly unusual military campaign is divinely prescribed, not relying on conventional warfare strategies like battering rams or siege towers. Instead, God instructs Joshua to have the Israelite army and priests march around the city for seven days, with the ark of the covenant, priests, and seven trumpets made of rams' horns taking central roles. Verse 8 describes the immediate execution of this command on the first day. This particular action marks the commencement of the peculiar daily procession that builds towards the climactic seventh day when the walls will miraculously collapse. The entire chapter underscores the principles of strict obedience, God's active involvement in the conquest of Canaan, and the demonstration of His power over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It stands as a profound testament to YHWH's unconventional and supernatural method of securing victory for His people.

Joshua 6 8 Word analysis

• So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people:

  • This phrase emphasizes immediate and diligent obedience. Joshua faithfully transmitted God's precise instructions (Jos 6:2-5), and the people (represented by the leaders in this verse) immediately acted. It highlights Joshua's leadership as a prophet and general conveying God's will. The Hebrew construction "vay'hi" (and it happened/so it was) signifies the immediate consequence or unfolding of the previous statement, underlining prompt action.

• that the seven priests bearing:

  • "seven priests": shiv'ah kohanim (שִׁבְעָה֙ כֹּהֲנִ֜ים). The number seven is profoundly symbolic in the Bible, representing completeness, perfection, holiness, and covenant (e.g., seven days of creation, numerous occurrences in Revelation). Here, it reinforces the divine order and sanctity of the event.
  • "priests": kohanim (כֹּהֲנִ֜ים). Their presence signifies that this is not merely a military endeavor but a sacred, spiritual act of worship and covenant enforcement. They are set apart for divine service, interceding between God and His people, demonstrating God's leadership in this battle.

• the seven trumpets of rams' horns:

  • "seven trumpets": sheva shofrot (שֶׁ֤בַע שׁוֹפְרוֹת֙). Again, the number seven underscores the divine completeness.
  • "of rams' horns": yovelim (יוֹבְלִ֖ים) or shofar (שׁוֹפָר). The shofar (ram's horn) is a primal, unrefined instrument distinct from the silver trumpets (chatzotzerah) used for ceremonial calls (Num 10). The shofar often announced war, judgment, coronation, or special convocations (Exod 19:16; Judg 7:18; 1 Kgs 1:39; Joel 2:1). Its natural form speaks of simplicity and humility before God, contrasting with human artifice. Its sound is raw, potent, and associated with the voice of God himself (Exod 19). Its use here connects this act directly to sacred tradition, prophetic warnings, and covenant renewal.

• advanced before the Lord:

  • hal'chu lifnei YHWH (הָֽלְכוּ֙ לִפְנֵ֣י יְהוָ֔ה). This phrase is crucial. They are not merely advancing before Joshua, or even the Ark, but before the visible or manifest presence of Yahweh Himself. This indicates that God is the true General and leader of this procession and battle. Their marching is an act of worship and submission to divine command, recognizing God's active participation and ultimate authority. This implies their deep reverence and acknowledgement of His guiding hand.

• and blew the trumpets:

  • taqe'u bash'shofarot (תָּקְע֥וּ בַשּׁוֹפָרֽוֹת). The verb taqa means to "sound," "blast," "strike," or "thrust," conveying a decisive and strong blowing. This is not a hesitant or quiet sound, but a powerful, clear blast that reverberates, signaling a divine pronouncement or action. The action of blowing transforms the raw horn into a vehicle for God's message, an audible declaration of His presence and unfolding strategy. This public act of sounding the trumpets initiated the miraculous and unconventional siege.

Words-group Analysis:

• "seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns": This emphasizes the sacral nature of the warfare. It's a "holy war," where divine agents (priests) using sacred implements (shofars, not conventional military signals or instruments) lead the way. The specific number seven repeatedly reinforces the divine design and completeness of this act. The priests act as agents of worship and execution of divine decree in a military context, blurring the lines between battlefield and sacred ritual. This strongly points to the battle belonging to the Lord.
• "advanced before the Lord, and blew the trumpets": This phrase combines movement (advancing) with a specific, commanded action (blowing the trumpets) and crucial directional positioning ("before the Lord"). It means they were actively and obediently positioning themselves directly in God's path, symbolizing His vanguard, and initiating the prescribed act of worship and warfare through the potent sound of the shofars. It signifies the commencement of the daily, ritualistic procession around Jericho, under direct divine oversight and with specific auditory markers of God's presence and impending victory.

Joshua 6 8 Bonus section

• The use of the shofar in Joshua 6 stands in contrast to the chatzotzerah (silver trumpets) mandated for specific ceremonial uses (Num 10:2-10). While chatzotzerot were more ceremonial and refined, the shofar possessed a raw, ancient sound, symbolizing God's direct, untamed power and an immediate call to attention, war, or celebration. Its presence here reinforces the uniqueness and spiritual intensity of the Jericho campaign, echoing the sounds associated with divine revelation and judgment.
• The ritualistic circumambulation (circling the city) combined with the priestly blowing of trumpets can be understood as a profound act of symbolic consecration or claim. By circling Jericho, Israel was, under God's command, implicitly claiming it for YHWH, declaring it unholy ground soon to be delivered. The trumpets would have been heard both inside and outside the walls, serving as a terrifying psychological weapon for the Canaanites, confirming the Israelites' unshakeable faith in their God, and for Israel, as a steady reminder of divine command and presence.
• The entire sequence, including Joshua 6:8, is a powerful polemic against Canaanite idolatry and their reliance on physical strength, massive walls, or gods of warfare like Baal. YHWH's method demonstrated that the God of Israel fights differently, using means that highlight His absolute sovereignty and negate human boasting. No human strategy, weapon, or fortified wall could withstand His unique and faithful power. This highlights the foundational theological truth: victory comes not by human might or power, but by God's Spirit and command.

Joshua 6 8 Commentary

Joshua 6:8 marks the critical inauguration of God's unconventional battle plan for Jericho. Following Joshua's obedient relay of God's instructions, seven consecrated priests, acting as the vanguard, moved "before the Lord"—a profound acknowledgement of God's direct presence and supreme command. Their possession of "seven trumpets of rams' horns" (shofars) immediately distinguishes this campaign from typical warfare, imbuing it with deep spiritual significance. These simple, ancient instruments, steeped in Israelite history and religious symbolism, connect the immediate battle to the divine voice from Sinai (Exod 19), to calls for repentance (Joel 2), and to future acts of divine intervention (Rev 8). The command "blew the trumpets" indicates the commencement of a divinely orchestrated auditory signal, transforming a seemingly ordinary march into an act of worship, declaration of spiritual warfare, and an act of faith. The sound was a direct expression of reliance on YHWH, challenging any notion of Israel's might and establishing God's sovereignty over Jericho and indeed, all strongholds. It demonstrates that the spiritual reality precedes and orchestrates the physical outcome, requiring active faith and unwavering obedience from God's people.