Joshua 6:15

15 Then on the seventh day, they got up at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. That was the only day they circled 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.


FOOTNOTES:

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

Joshua 6:15 In-Context

13 And the seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns kept marching ahead of the ark of the LORD and blowing the horns. The armed troops went in front of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the horns kept sounding.
14 So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.
15 Then on the seventh day, they got up at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. That was the only day they circled the city seven times.
16 After the seventh time around, the priests blew the horns, and Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!
17 Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent.
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