Joshua 5:14

as captain or rather, Prince of the host of Jehovah, i.e. of the Angelic Host, the Host of heaven. "I am prince of þe oost of þe Lord," Wyclif. Compare the expressions "Jehovah of hosts," or more fully "Jehovah, Lord of hosts" (Jeremiah 5:14; Jeremiah 15:16; Isaiah 6:3; Psalms 24:10; Psalms 80:7; Psalms 80:19). "Not as mingling with these earthly hosts, but as they follow in a higher order; as the mighty one in heavenly places of whom thou art here and now on earth the type and shadow; as He whom all the Angels worship, as the Uncreated Angel of the Covenant, as the Captain of the heavenly host of God, have I come to thee." Bp Wilberforce's Heroes of Hebrew History, p. 148. Comp. 1Sa 1:3; 1 Kings 22:19. The Prince of the Angels of heaven had come to lead Israel in the impending strife.

And Joshua fell on his face Compare the attitude (a) of Abraham before God (Genesis 17:3); (b) of his brethren before Joseph (Genesis 42:6); (c) of Moses at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3:6). It does not necessarily and of itselfimply worship, though such is intended here.

What saith my lord…?] The revelation, with which Joshua was now favoured, forcibly recalls the incident of the "Burning Bush" at Horeb. Not however in fiery flame, but in the person of a seemingly human warrior, was the Divine Presence manifested to the leader of the armies of Israel. Thus the first and the second Joshua met, and the Type fell prostrate before the Antitype.