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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 6:1-5

We have here a contest between God and the men of Jericho, and their different resolutions, upon which it is easy to say whose word shall prevail. I. Jericho resolves Israel shall not be its master, Josh. 6:1. It was straitly shut up, because of the children of Israel. It did shut up, and it was shut up (so it is in the margin); it did shut up itself, being strongly fortified both by art and nature, and it was shut up by the obstinacy and resolution of the inhabitants, who agreed never to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:1

Now Jericho was straitly shut up, because of the children of Israel ,.... Or "it shut up", or "was shutting, and was shut up" F21 סגרת ומסגרת "claudens et clausa", Montanus, Vatablus. ; that is, the king and the inhabitants shut it up within; the Targum says with iron doors, and bars of brass, and it was blocked up without by the children of Israel: none went out and none came in ; none of their forces went out to make a sally on the Israelites, or to seek to make peace with... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 6:1

Now Jericho was straitly shut up - The king of Jericho, finding that the spies had escaped, though the city was always kept shut by night, took the most proper precaution to prevent every thing of the kind in future, by keeping the city shut both day and night, having, no doubt, laid in a sufficiency of provisions to stand a siege, being determined to defend himself to the uttermost. read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 1.Now Jericho was straitly shut up, etc Jericho is said to be shut up, because the gates were not opened: as in time of war cities are guarded with more than usual care. It is added, by way of emphasis, that they were sealed, or locked up, (63) as if it were said that the inhabitants were attentive in watching, so as not to be taken by surprise. Hence, as it could not be taken by stratagem, the only hope of taking it was by open force. This tends to display the goodness of God to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:1

EXPOSITION THE VICTORY .— This verse (see above) is parenthetical. It explains why the captain of the Lord's host appeared unto Joshua. The inhabitants of Jericho, though in a state of the utmost alarm, were nevertheless fully on their guard against the children of Israel. The commencement of hostilities imposed a great responsibility on Joshua. Success at the outset was, humanly speaking, indispensable. We may see what defeat involved for him by his distress in consequence of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:1-21

We come now to the command that was laid on Joshua. And hero we may observe three points. I. SUCCESS WAS CERTAIN IF GOD 'S COMMANDS WERE OBEYED . God does not say, "I will give," but, "I have given" Jericho into thine hand. Not only has the fiat gone forth, but the work is done, when the soldier of the Lord has made up his mind to obey the Lord's commands. Thus, whatever be the work to which we set our hands, be it public or private, in the world or in our own hearts, so... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Joshua 6:1

This verse is strictly parenthetical. It is inserted to explain the declaration commenced Joshua 5:14, and interrupted by Joshua’s question and obeisance Joshua 5:14-15, but resumed in Joshua 6:2.Straitly shut up - See the margin, i. e., not only shut, but barred and bolted. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 6:1-2

Joshua 6:1-2. Jericho was straitly shut up They had shut up all their gates, and kept a very strict guard at them, for fear of the children of Israel. And the Lord said unto Joshua There is great reason to believe, and indeed most commentators agree, that this was spoken by the divine person who is said in the preceding chapter to have appeared to Joshua in the form of a man, but who styled himself captain of the host of the Lord, and is here called Jehovah, which shows that he was not... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:1-27

Click image for full-size version6:1-12:24 CONQUEST OF THE LANDDestruction of the CanaanitesThe following chapters show that the Israelites’ conquest of Canaan was well planned. First they won control of the central region (Chapters 6-9). This created a division between the northern and southern regions, and so prevented Canaanite tribes throughout the country from joining forces. Israel then had a much easier task in conquering the rest of Canaan, first the south (Chapter 10), then the north... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 6:1

was straitly shut up. Hebrew "was shutting up and was shut up". Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ) for emphasis, thus beautifully rendered. See note on Genesis 26:28 . children = sons. read more

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