Joshua 6:4

4 Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns.

Joshua 6:4 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 6:4

And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of
rams' horns
The ark was to be taken up and carried by priests round the city. Ben Gersom observes, that this was to direct the Israelites to keep and do according to all that was written in it; that is, in the law, which was contained in it; but no doubt the design of it was to show, that the subduing of Jericho, and the miracle that would be wrought, were owing to the power and presence of God, of which the ark was a symbol: and before it were to go seven other priests, with trumpets in their hands; which, according to our version, were made of rams horns: in the original it is "jobelim", or "jubilee" trumpets. Some think it means only such as they were to use in the year of jubilee; so Abarbinel and others, as Masius and Noldius ^F24; that they had their name from Jubal, the first inventor of musical instruments, ( Genesis 4:21 ) ; for rams' horns are objected to because they are solid, and not hollow; as if they could not be bored and made hollow, and fit for such a purpose. The Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi, interpret the word by rams horns, as we do ^F25; and observe what R. Akiba said,

``when (says he) I went into Arabia, I heard them call; a ram "jobel"; and the trumpet itself is called "jobel", because made of a ram's horn ^F26:''

and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times;
in the same manner as on the other days:

and the priests shall blow with the trumpets;
which they were to do; and did every day.

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FOOTNOTES:

F24 P. 160. No. 1515.
F25 So Joseph. Antiqu. l. 5. c. 6. sect. 5.
F26 Kimchi, Sepher. Shorash. rad. (lby) R. Sol. Urbim. Ohel Moed, fol. 39. 2.

Joshua 6:4 In-Context

2 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor.

3 March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days.

4 Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns.

5 And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city. ”

6 So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said, “Take up the ark of the covenant and have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark of the LORD.”