Joshua 6 9

Joshua 6:9 kjv

And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rearward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

Joshua 6:9 nkjv

The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets.

Joshua 6:9 niv

The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding.

Joshua 6:9 esv

The armed men were walking before the priests who were blowing the trumpets, and the rear guard was walking after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually.

Joshua 6:9 nlt

Some of the armed men marched in front of the priests with the horns and some behind the Ark, with the priests continually blowing the horns.

Joshua 6 verses

Joshua 6 9 Meaning

Joshua 6:9 describes the structured military-religious procession around the city of Jericho as commanded by the Lord. It highlights the divine order and participants in this unique battle, emphasizing that Israel's actions were orchestrated by God. The "armed men" led the procession, signifying readiness and protection; the "priests" blowing "trumpets" declared God's presence and purpose; and the "rear guard" followed the "ark" (Ark of the Covenant), ensuring divine protection and concluding the procession, with the constant blowing of trumpets serving as an enduring proclamation throughout the entire march.

Joshua 6 9 Context

Joshua chapter 6 details the supernatural capture of Jericho, the first fortified city Israel encounters in Canaan. After the Israelites cross the Jordan and are circumcised and celebrate Passover, God provides Joshua with specific, seemingly illogical, instructions for taking the city. These instructions dictate a daily procession for six days, followed by a grander, seven-fold march on the seventh day. Joshua 6:9 specifically describes the established order and components of this daily procession, placing the armed vanguard, trumpet-blowing priests, the Ark of the Covenant, and the rear guard in a specific sequence. This structure highlights not military strategy, but rather an act of profound obedience and worship, emphasizing God's role as the true warrior and deliverer, and serving as a direct contrast to reliance on human might common in Ancient Near Eastern warfare. The precise details underscore divine authority and the miraculous nature of the impending victory.

Joshua 6 9 Word analysis

• And the armed men: (וְהֶחָל֣וּץ - ve-heḥalutz)
  • Original Language: Ḥalutz (חָלוּץ) typically means "armed" or "ready for battle," implying a vanguard or advance guard. It refers to those who are stripped for action or equipped for service, not necessarily a heavily armored contingent, but rather prepared and mobile.
  • Significance: This detail signifies preparedness for potential engagement, even though no human fighting occurred. It shows Israel's military presence and readiness to obey, even as the battle strategy was spiritual. Their primary role was not fighting but leading the ceremonial procession, symbolizing military presence but subservient to God's method.
• went before: Implies leading the way, setting the pace, and establishing the front line of the procession. This arrangement underscores the ordered nature of the divine command.
• the priests: (הַכֹּהֲנִים֙ - ha-kohanim)
  • Original Language: Kohanim (כֹּהֲנִים) refers to the Levitical priests, specifically those descended from Aaron, designated for sacred duties.
  • Significance: Their presence elevates the march from a mere military parade to a holy, spiritual event. Priests represent God's presence and mediate His commands and blessings. Their unique role here emphasizes that this battle belongs to the Lord, not Israel's army.
• that blew with the trumpets: (תֹּקְעֵ֖י הַשֹּׁופָר֑וֹת - tok'ei ha-shofarot)
  • Original Language: Toke'i ha-shofarot means "those blowing the trumpets/ram's horns." While other "trumpets" (like silver chatzotzera) were used in Israel, the specific context of Jericho (Josh 6:4-6, 8, 13) specifies "ram's horns" (shofar). The shofar was not primarily a musical instrument but a ceremonial horn for proclaiming divine decrees, war alarms, or significant events (e.g., calling an assembly, announcing Jubilee, signaling God's coming).
  • Significance: The trumpet blast served multiple purposes: a signal for war (though here, a unique kind), a spiritual declaration of God's presence, an announcement of impending divine judgment on Jericho, and a constant sound symbolizing an ongoing, active work of God. It's a non-violent sound acting as a powerful spiritual weapon.
• and the rear guard: (וְהַֽמְאַסֵּ֗ף - ve-ham'asseph)
  • Original Language: Me'asseph (מְאַסֵּף) means "gatherer," "collector," or "rear guard." It's a defensive position that gathers stragglers and protects the main body from behind.
  • Significance: The presence of a rear guard provides protection and suggests completeness. It ensures no one is left behind and signifies total divine envelopment and security for Israel as they walk in obedience, even as the most sacred object (the Ark) precedes them. It is a symbol of comprehensive care.
• came after the ark: Positioning of the rear guard signifies its protective role over the most sacred object and the main body of Israel following.
• the trumpets blowing continually: (תָק֥וֹעַ הַשֹּׁופָרֽוֹת - tako'a ha-shofarot)
  • Original Language: Tako'a ha-shofarot implies a continuous or constant blowing of the trumpets. The repetition here, from the start of the verse to the end, reinforces its importance.
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes the sustained nature of the proclamation. It wasn't just an initial blast but an unceasing declaration, creating an atmospheric, pervasive sound that declared God's active presence and authority throughout the march. It maintained a constant spiritual tension and focus, reminding all (Israel and Jericho) of the divine orchestration.

Words-group analysis:

• "Armed men went before the priests... and the rear guard came after the ark": This established order reveals a highly structured, symbolic procession. The human military components (armed men, rear guard) flank the sacred elements (priests, trumpets, Ark). This positioning symbolizes that Israel's military strength and defense were fully undergirded and enveloped by God's presence and direction, with the priests and the Ark at the spiritual core of the operation. It communicates that while human agents are involved, the true power and protection derive from the Divine.
• "Priests that blew with the trumpets... the trumpets blowing continually": The double mention of trumpets, particularly their continuous blowing, emphasizes their crucial and unceasing role in this unique warfare. The sound of the shofarot was not just a signal but an active, audible expression of God's divine presence, His war against the Canaanites, and a declaration of Jericho's impending doom. It implies an ongoing spiritual act of 'breaking down' before the physical walls collapsed.

Joshua 6 9 Bonus section

The seemingly unusual sequence of the marchers (armed men, then priests, then the Ark, then the rear guard, as often inferred from various verses including 6:9) presents an interesting theological lesson. The armed men lead as a statement of intent and readiness, yet they do not attack. The priests, representing divine communication, mediate the sound of the shofarot as the actual 'weapon.' The Ark of the Covenant, God's very presence, is central, yet protected. This arrangement shows a unique fusion of military discipline and sacred duty, where the sacred leads the martial. It visually represents God "going before" His people, with the earthly warriors merely responding to His initiative. The sound of the ram's horns (shofarot) can also be seen as an auditory enactment of judgment or even the "breath" (spirit) of God breaking through, signifying divine power dismantling human strongholds.

Joshua 6 9 Commentary

Joshua 6:9 is a succinct description of God's unique battle strategy for Jericho, deeply embedding religious and theological significance within what appears to be a military formation. It dismantles conventional warfare concepts by prioritizing obedience, divine presence, and spiritual proclamation over human might. The precise order of the "armed men" as a vanguard, followed by "priests" blowing "trumpets," with the "Ark" at the core, and a "rear guard" protecting from behind, signifies that human effort is enveloped by and subservient to divine power and purpose. The "trumpets blowing continually" underscores the enduring spiritual nature of the conflict and God's active, sustained intervention. This verse demonstrates that victory over formidable obstacles comes not by strategic cunning or physical prowess but by faithful adherence to God's seemingly irrational commands, making it a vivid illustration of how God works supernaturally through ordinary people following extraordinary instructions.