Joshua 6

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 6

Joshua opened the campaign with the siege of Jericho, a city which could not trust so much to the courage of its people as to act offensively, and to send out its forces to oppose Israel's landing and encamping, but trusted so much to the strength of its walls as to stand upon its defence, and not to surrender, or desire conditions of peace. Now here we have the story of the taking of it, I. The directions and assurances which the captain of the Lord's host gave concerning it, Josh. 6:1-5. II.... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 6

We have here an account of the cavalcade which Israel made about Jericho, the orders Joshua gave concerning it, as he had received them from the Lord and their punctual observance of these orders. We do not find that he gave the people the express assurances God had given him that he would deliver the city into their hands; but he tried whether they would obey orders with a general confidence that it would end well, and we find them very observant both of God and Joshua. I. Wherever the ark... read more

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 6:17-27

The people had religiously observed the orders given them concerning the besieging of Jericho, and now at length Joshua had told them (Josh. 6:16), ?The Lord hath given you the city, enter and take possession.? Accordingly in these verses we have, I. The rules they were to observe in taking possession. God gives it to them, and therefore may direct it to what uses and intents, and clog it with what provisos and limitations he thinks fit. It is given to them to be devoted to God, as the first... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 6 In this chapter Joshua is assured, though Jericho was closely shut up, it should be delivered into his hands, Joshua 6:1 ; and he is directed, with the army, to go round the city six days together, seven priests bearing the ark of the Lord, with seven trumpets sounding; and on the seventh day to go round it seven times in like manner, when its wall should fall, Joshua 6:3 ; which order Joshua communicated to the priests, and to the people, and which was put... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:2

And the Lord said unto Joshua ,.... The same divine Person called in the preceding chapter the Captain of the Lord's host, Joshua 5:14 , now with him, and who gave him the following orders, instructions, and assurances: see, I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof : which might be concluded from the fear that was fallen upon the inhabitants of the city and their king, and from their shutting themselves up so closely, not daring to come out against Israel: and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:3

And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war ,.... Joshua their chief commander under the Lord, and all that were able to make war, even all above twenty years of age; these were to compass the city, not in the form of a siege, but by a procession around it: and go round about the city once ; or one time, for the first once in a day, and no more: thus shall thou do six days ; one after another; that is, go round it, once every day, for such a time. This order was given,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:4

And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns ,.... The ark was to be taken up and carried by priests round the city. Ben Gersom observes, that this was to direct the Israelites to keep and do according to all that was written in it; that is, in the law, which was contained in it; but no doubt the design of it was to show, that the subduing of Jericho, and the miracle that would be wrought, were owing to the power and presence of God, of which the ark was a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:5

And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn ,.... Continue blowing, and protracting, and drawing out the sound a long time; which they did only on the seventh day; on the other days it was but a short blast they made at a time; so that this being different, it would be a good sign and token to the people to do what they are next directed to: and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet ; drawn out to a great length: all the people shall shout with... read more

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