Joshua 6:4-20

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:4

And seven priests shall bear before the ark. The Vulgate puts "on the seventh day" in connection with this part of the sentence; Luther also translates thus. The LXX ; which Calvin and our translators and the majority of commentators follow, regard this part of the sentence as stating what was to be done on the six days, and rightly so, as Joshua 6:8-14 clearly show. That the historian, as has been before remarked, did not always give the full instructions Joshua received is evident from... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:5

When they make a long blast with the ram's horn. Literally, as they draw out with the horn of jubilee, i.e; blow a prolonged blast (of. Exodus 19:13 ). Here the word used is horn of jubilee, but not necessarily of ram's horn, as our version, any more than the modern horn, though it takes the place of the more primitive instrument made of that material, must itself be a ram's horn. So Rosenmuller. The word. קֶרֶן in Hebrew is used in different senses, all, however, growing out... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:7

And he said. The text has they said. Our translators follow the Masoretic emendation. If we follow the original we must suppose that the priests, or, as with Keil and Knobel, the Shoterim ( Joshua 1:10 ), conveyed Joshua's command to the troops. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:8

He that is armed, or rather disencumbered, i.e; prepared for battle (see Joshua 4:13 ). Similarly, in the next verse, "the armed men," i.e; the host in marching order, as we say. Kimchi and Jarchi refer this to the Reubenites and their brethren, but without sufficient authority. Keil thinks that it was impossible that the unarmed people would have gone with the procession as "the rereward" (see note on Joshua 5:13 ), because no command to that effect is given in Joshua 6:3 . But as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:8

Siege of Jericho. The Red Sea; a land where there was no water; want of food; terrors of the spies; the warlike people of Bashan; Jordan impossible; a Jericho impregnable. Such are the successive strains made on the faith and resolution of Israel. God's people go from strength to strength, but also from difficulty to difficulty. Never is it the case that the difficulties are entirely done and the prospects entirely bright. On their newest difficulty let us spend a little time; for all of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:10

Ye shall not shout. No sign of triumph was to be raised; but the Israelites, their priests, and the ark of their covenant were in solemn silence to encompass the city day by day, until they were commanded to raise the shout of victory. The people of Jericho knew only too well what this religious procession meant. As a military manoeuvre (so Calvin) it was worse than useless, it was ridiculous. It actually invited attack; nay, it afforded, if the interpretation in the note on Joshua 6:8 be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:13

The rereward (see Joshua 5:9 ). Literally, the gathering together and then the body of troops which collects the stragglers, the rear guard, as in Numbers 10:25 ; Isaiah 52:12 ; Isaiah 58:8 . Calvin renders here by quia cogebat agmen. But the LXX . and Vulgate render by ὁ λοιπὸς ὄχλος and vulgus reliquum. So Luther, der Haufe. The LXX ; however, in Isaiah 58:9 translates the same word by οὐραγοῦντες , i.e; " qui extremum agmen ducunt, et quasi caudam... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:15

And it came to pass on the seventh day. Why did God command this long pause of suspense and expectation? Even to teach us that His ways are not as our ways, and that we had far better leave the issue in His hands, than by our impatience to anticipate, and not unfrequently frustrate, the course of His Providence.— Calvin. There is a time to act and a time to wait patiently. If we seek His guidance by prayer, God will tell us when to do either. And when it is our duty not to do anything... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 6:16

When the priests. There is no "when" in the original, nor is it needed (see Keil). read more

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