Joshua 6:15

15 And it cometh to pass, on the seventh day, that they rise early, at the ascending of the dawn, and compass the city, according to this manner, seven times; (only, on that day they have compassed the city seven times);

Joshua 6:15 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 6:15

And it came to pass on the seventh day
Which Jarchi says was the Sabbath day, and which is a common notion of the Jews ^F3; but whether it was or not, it is certain that one of these seven days must be a sabbath, in which the several things ordered were done, and the procession made. Kimchi observes, that their Rabbins say this was the sabbath day; and he adds, what is pretty remarkable,

``though they slew and burnt on the sabbath day, he that commanded the sabbath commanded to profane the sabbath in the subduing of Jericho;''

with which compare what our Lord says, ( Matthew 12:3-8 ) ;

that they rose early, about the dawning of the day;
having seven times the work to do they did on the other six days:

and compassed the city after the same manner seven times;
after the same manner as they had done the six preceding days:

only on that day they compassed the city seven times;
whereas on the other days they only went round it once, which distinguished this day from the rest.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 11. p. 31. Bemidbar Rabba, sect. 14. fol. 312. 2.

Joshua 6:15 In-Context

13 and seven priests bearing seven trumpets of the jubilee before the ark of Jehovah are walking, going on, and they have blown with the trumpets -- and he who is armed is going before them, and he who is gathering up is going behind the ark of Jehovah -- going on and blowing with the trumpets.

14 And they compass the city on the second day once, and turn back to the camp; thus they have done six days.

15 And it cometh to pass, on the seventh day, that they rise early, at the ascending of the dawn, and compass the city, according to this manner, seven times; (only, on that day they have compassed the city seven times);

16 and it cometh to pass, at the seventh time, the priests have blown with the trumpets, and Joshua saith unto the people, `Shout ye, for Jehovah hath given to you the city;

17 and the city hath been devoted, it and all that [is] in it, to Jehovah; only Rahab the harlot doth live, she and all who [are] with her in the house, for she hid the messengers whom we sent;