This verse is strictly parenthetical. It is inserted to explain the declaration commenced Joshua 5:14, and interrupted by Joshua’s question and obeisance Joshua 5:14, but resumed in Joshua 6:2. STRAITLY SHUT UP - See the margin, i. e., not only shut, but barred and bolted.... [ Continue Reading ]
The command of the Lord as to the mode in which the fall of Jericho should be brought about is given in these verses in a condensed form. Further details (see Joshua 6:8, Joshua 6:16, etc.), were, no doubt, among the commands given to Joshua by the Angel. Joshua 6:4 TRUMPETS OF RAM’S HORNS - Render... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SAID - The reading in the Hebrew text is “they said.” Joshua no doubt issued his orders through the “officers of the people” (compare Joshua 1:10). HIM THAT IS ARMED - i. e. the warriors generally, not a division only. “The rereward” Joshua 6:9 was merely a detachment, and not a substantial port... [ Continue Reading ]
ON THE SEVENTH DAY - Most probably a Sabbath day. The rising early would be necessary to give time for encompassing the city seven times. Jericho appears to have been a city of considerable size and population; and each passage of the large host round it could hardly have taken less than an hour and... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCURSED - Better as in margin, (“devoted” (Leviticus 27:28 note). In other cases the inhabitants only of the towns were slain; their cattle and property became the booty of the victors. But Jericho, as the first Canaanite city that was captured, was devoted by Israel as first-fruits to God, as a to... [ Continue Reading ]
The part of the wall adjoining Rahab’s house had not fallen along with the rest. Rahab and “all that she had,” i. e., the persons belonging to her household, were brought out and “left without the camp of Israel.” These words literally “made to rest outside the camp of Israel” - indicate that being... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN UNTO THIS DAY - These words are rightly noted as implying that the narrative was written not long after the occurrences which it records.... [ Continue Reading ]
ADJURED - i. e. put an oath upon them; or, perhaps, actually caused them themselves to take an oath (compare Matthew 26:63). The words of the oath have in the original a rhythmical character which would tend to keep them on the lips and in the memory of the people. BUILDETH THIS CITY - i. e. rebuild... [ Continue Reading ]