Joshua 6:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:9

And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets ,.... Whom Jarchi, Kimchi, and Abarbinel, interpret of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh; that is, as many of them as Joshua took with him over Jordan; though rather all the armed men in the camp are meant; at least along with those mentioned went the standards of Judah and Ephraim: and the rereward came after the ark ; because the tribe of Dan was the rereward in journeying, Numbers 2:31 ; hence the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 6:9

The rereward came after the ark - The word מאסף measseph , from אסף asaph , to collect or gather up, may signify either the rereward, as our translation understands it, or the people who carried the baggage of the army; for on the seventh day this was necessary, as much fighting might be naturally expected in the assault, and they would need a supply of arms, darts, etc., as well as conveniences for those who might happen to be wounded: or the persons here intended might be... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 6:7-10

Joshua 6:7-10. Let him that is armed pass on God would have them armed, both for the defence of themselves and the ark, in case the enemies should make a sally upon them, and for the execution of the Lord’s vengeance upon that city. The rereward Which, being opposed to the armed men, may seem to denote the unarmed people, who were desirous to be spectators of this wonderful work. Ye shall not shout Because shouting before the time appointed would be ineffectual, and so might give them... 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 6:9

went = marching. rereward = the main or central body. Compare Numbers 10:25 . came = marched. going = marching. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 6:7-9

Ver. 7-9. And he said unto the people, Pass on— We apprehend, that it was not only the soldiers who formed this procession, but that all the people joined in it; that the armed men went before the ark; and that after it came the rest of the people, making as it were the rear-ward. It is certain, however, that Onkelos, and the Rabbis Solomon, Jarchi, and Kimchi, understand by the rear-ward, the single tribe of Dan, which was thus appointed, Numbers 10:25.; and they suppose, that before the ark... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 6:6-14

The terms "Lord" and "ark" occur interchangeably here (Joshua 6:8). The Lord was over the ark, and the ark represented the Lord’s presence.Evidently the whole Israelite nation did not march around the walls of Jericho. Only warriors and priests circled the city (Joshua 6:3-4; Joshua 6:6; Joshua 6:9, et al.). The "people" referred to in the context (Joshua 6:7; Joshua 6:16, et al.) were these people, not all the Israelites. Probably representatives of the tribes participated in this march rather... 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

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Joshua 6:8-27

CHAPTER XII.THE FATE OF JERICHO.Joshua 6:8-27. THE instructions of Joshua to the priests and the people are promptly obeyed. In the bright rays of the morning sun, on the day when Jericho is to be surrounded, the plain between the Jordan and Jericho, a space of some five miles, may be seen dotted over with the tents of Israel, arranged in that orderly manner which had been prescribed by Moses in the wilderness. The whole encampment is astir in the prospect of great events. The erect carriage,... read more

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