Joshua 6:5 NIV

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 6:1-5

The parenthetic comment about Jericho that opens this chapter (Joshua 6:1) emphasizes the fact that the city had strong fortifications.As in the previous section, the writer recorded the command of God first (Joshua 6:2-5; cf. Psalms 108:12-13) and then Joshua’s execution of the command (Joshua 6:6-21; cf. Joshua 3:7-8; Joshua 4:1-3; Joshua 4:15-16). Unlike Moses, who at the burning bush argued at length with the Lord about His plan (Exodus 3:11 to Exodus 4:17), Joshua obeyed without question. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 6:1-27

The Capture of JerichThis chapter describes the first and perhaps most decisive action in the war. The impression it produced (Joshua 6:27) no doubt did much to decide the fortunes of subsequent campaigns. The strange method adopted, by divine injunction, for the reduction of the city, with its jubilee trumpets and its elaborate symbolic use of the number seven, was clearly intended to leave no doubt that the enterprise from first to last was in higher hands than Joshua’s. Various attempts have... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Joshua 6:1-27

6. The Fall of Jericho CHAPTER 6 1. The divine instruction (Joshua 6:1-5 ) 2. The instructions followed (Joshua 6:6-19 ) 3. The fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:20-21 ) 4. Rahab remembered (Joshua 6:22-25 ) 5. The curse upon Jericho (Joshua 6:26-27 ) We do not enlarge upon the history of the chapter, which needs no comment. The fall of Jericho by the power of God, as described in this chapter, has also been ridiculed by infidels. Others have tried to explain the occurrence in a natural... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 6:1-27

JERICHO DESTROYED Joshua and Israel having been fully prepared by God, their conquest of Canaan begins. Jericho, with its thick walls, was securely shut up (v.1), prepared for a long siege; but certainly not prepared for what happened! Joshua did not depend on his military wisdom, but received orders from God, who tells him He has given Jericho and its king and mighty men into Joshua's hand (v.2). He is given what appears to be strange instructions, that Israel's army should march around... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:1-27

JERICHO AND AI DIVINE ORDERS (Joshua 6:1-5 ) These verses should not be separated from the foregoing by a chapter division, since it is evident that the orders here received by Joshua were given by the Captain of the Lord’s host previously described. Observe another proof of His deity in the words, “I have given into thine hand Jericho.” The mode by which Joshua was to proceed (Joshua 6:3-5 ) calls for no explanation. What had been his own preparations for the attack on the city? Was he... read more

Joseph Parker

The People's Bible by Joseph Parker - Joshua 6:1-27

Discipline Joshua 6:0 WE have seen how, from a certain point of view, all the arrangements made for the capture of the walled city were obviously impracticable from a military point of view, simply absurd. We are now prepared to advance a step, and look at one or two of the almost hidden points of the narrative with a view to its illumination from incidental lights and references. Our object will be to find out how far these points are confirmed by our own experience and observation, how far... read more

Robert Hawker

Hawker's Poor Man's Commentary - Joshua 6:3-5

This plan of omnipotence so astonishing as it appears to human reason, was evidently intended for the glory of God, and the exercise of the faith of Israel. But as the ark, in this instance as in the former, at the fording of Jordan, formed the principal object, how sweetly when beheld and explained in a gospel sense, doth it set forth the sure victory of God's people, before whom Jesus goes, leading on his army to conquest. The Lord had promised Israel that his people should possess nations,... read more

George Haydock

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:5

Tune, with certain modulations, continued for a long time, Numbers x. 5. (Haydock) --- Ground. The Rabbins say they sink in, so that the ruins might not impede the march of the army. Some think only a large breach was made, opposite to the Israelites, as the house of Rahab upon the walls was preserved. (Calmet) read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 6:1-5

1-5 Jericho resolves Israel shall not be its master. It shut itself up, being strongly fortified both by art and nature. Thus were they foolish, and their hearts hardened to their destruction; the miserable case of all that strengthen themselves against the Almighty. God resolves Israel shall be its master, and that quickly. No warlike preparations were to be made. By the uncommon method of besieging the city, the Lord honoured the ark, as the symbol of his presence, and showed that all the... read more

Paul E. Kretzmann

The Popular Commentary by Paul E. Kretzmann - Joshua 6:1-14

The Siege of Jericho v. 1. Now Jericho was straitly shut up, not only strongly fortified, but also guarded with all strictness, because of the children of Israel; none went" out and none came in. This remark is inserted by the historian by way of explanation, before he continues to describe the meeting between Joshua and the Prince of the heavenly host. v. 2. And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho and the king thereof and the mighty men of valor. This was... read more