Joshua 5:13-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 5:13-15

We have hitherto found God often speaking to Joshua, but we read not till now of any appearance of God's glory to him; now that his difficulties increased his encouragements were increased in proportion. Observe, I. The time when he was favoured with this vision. It was immediately after he had performed the great solemnities of circumcision and the passover; then God made himself known to him. Note, We may then expect the discoveries of the divine grace when we are found in the way of our... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 5:13

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho ,.... Or "in Jericho" F9 ביריחו εν ιεριχω , Sept. in Jericho, Pagninus, Montanus. ; not in the city itself, but in the border of it, as Kimchi and Ben Melech; or on the side of it, as Jarchi; on one side of which he was reconnoitring by himself, very probably seeking for a proper place where to make his first attack; or if he could find out some avenue to the city, whereby he could enter more easily; or it may be he was meditating a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 5:14

And he said, nay ,.... Not for or on the side of their adversaries was he come, as Joshua suspected at the first sight of him; the Septuagint version is, "he said unto him", taking לא for לו , as it sometimes is: but as Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come ; of the host of the Lord both in heaven and in earth, angels and men, and particularly of the people of Israel, called the armies and host of the Lord, Exodus 7:4 ; so that though Joshua was general, Christ was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 5:15

And the Captain of the Lord's host said unto Joshua ,.... As a trial and proof of his obedience to him: loose thy shoe from off thy foot ; which is to be understood literally, as when the like was commanded Moses at Horeb, Exodus 3:5 ; though some interpret it figuratively; as Abarbinel,"remove from thee such thoughts that thou shall take this city by strength:" for the place whereon thou standest is holy ; because of the presence of this Person, and as long as he was there,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 5:13

When Joshua was by Jericho - The sixth chapter should have commenced here, as this is an entirely new relation; or these two chapters should have made but one, as the present division has most unnaturally divided the communication which Joshua had from the angel of the Lord, and which is continued to Joshua 6:5 . It is very likely that Joshua had gone out privately to reconnoitre the city of Jericho when he had this vision; and while contemplating the strength of the place, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 5:14

But as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come - By this saying Joshua was both encouraged and instructed. As if he had said, "Fear not; Jehovah hath sent from heaven to save thee and thy people from the reproach of them that would swallow thee up. Israel is the Lord's host; and the Lord of hosts is Israel's Captain. Thou thyself shalt only be captain under me, and I am now about to instruct thee relative to thy conduct in this war." And Joshua - did ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 5:15

Loose thy shoe from off thy foot , etc. - These were the same words which the angel, on Mount Sinai, spoke to Moses; (see Exodus 3:5-8 ;); and from this it seems likely that it was the same person that appeared in both places: in the first, to encourage Moses to deliver the oppressed Israelites, and bring them to the promised land; in the second, to encourage Joshua in his arduous labor in expelling the ancient inhabitants, and establishing the people in the inheritance... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 5:13

Verse 13 13.And it came to pass when Joshua, etc Here we have the narrative of a remarkable vision, by which Joshua was greatly encouraged and emboldened. For though he was strenuously discharging his office, the application of an additional stimulus was not without its use. The angel, however, did not appear solely on his private account, but for the confirmation of the whole people: nay, the Lord looked further forward, that he might furnish posterity with stronger proofs of a kindness which... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 5:14

Verse 14 14.And he said, Nay; but as captain, etc Although the denial applies equally to both parts of the question, namely, that he was neither an Israelite nor a Canaanite, and was thus equivalent to a denial of his being a mortal man, yet it seems to be more properly applicable to the second, or to that part of the question in which Joshua asked if he were one of the enemy. This, however, is a matter of little moment; the essential thing is to understand that he had come to preside over the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 5:15

Verse 15 15.Loose thy shoe from off thy foot, etc To give additional sanctity to the vision, the great Angel requires as a sign of reverence and fear that Joshua put off his shoes. Moses relates, (Exodus 3:5) that the same command was given to him on Mount Sinai, and for no other reason than that the Lord there manifested his glory. For one place cannot have a greater sanctity than another, except God deigns specially to make it so. Thus Jacob exclaims, (Genesis 28:17 (60)) that the place where... read more

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