Joshua 6:5

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 ^[a] and all your people will charge straight into the city. ^[b]”

Joshua 6:5 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 6:5

And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long [blast]
with the ram's horn
Continue blowing, and protracting, and drawing out the sound a long time; which they did only on the seventh day; on the other days it was but a short blast they made at a time; so that this being different, it would be a good sign and token to the people to do what they are next directed to:

[and] when ye hear the sound of the trumpet;
drawn out to a great length:

all the people shall shout with a great shout;
at once, as when an onset is made in battle, or a victory is obtained:

and the wall of the city shall fall down flat;
or "under itself" ^F1; which Jarchi interprets, in its place; that is, where it stood, and be swallowed up in it: so the Targum,

``and it shall be swallowed up under it;''

yet so that somewhat of it should be seen, as an attestation and proof of the miracle, as Kimchi; who says,

``it means that it should be swallowed up in its place under the earth, and a little of it appear above ground for a memorial of the miracle:''

and the people shall ascend up, every man straight before him;
just as they were in the order of procession; for the wall being fallen everywhere, they would have no occasion to make up to one certain place, as when a breach is only made in one place, and the besiegers are obliged to go so many a breast to enter at it; but in this case they might go straight up from whence they were, and enter the city without any obstruction and difficulty.

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FOOTNOTES:

F1 (hytxt) "sub se", Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "subtus se", Tigurine version; "sabter se", Masius.

Joshua 6:5 In-Context

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.”

7 And he told the people, “Advance and march around the city, with the armed troops going ahead of the ark of the LORD.”

Footnotes

• [a] Or fall under itself or fall flat; similarly in verse 20
• [b] Literally and the people will go up, every man straight ahead; similarly in verse 20