Joshua 6:5

5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

Joshua 6:5 in Other Translations

5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

5 And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him."

5 When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams’ horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town.”

5 And then, a long blast on the ram's horn - when you hear that, all the people are to shout at the top of their lungs. The city wall will collapse at once. All the people are to enter, every man straight on in."

5 When there is a prolonged blast of the horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the city wall will collapse, and the people will advance, each man straight ahead."

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.

---

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 once with all the armed men. Do this for six days.

4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.

5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”

6 So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.”

7 And he ordered the army, “Advance! March around the city, with an armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD.”

Cross References

• 1. Exodus 19:13
• 2. ver 20; 1 Samuel 4:5; 2 Samuel 6:15; Ezra 3:11; Ezra 10:12; Psalms 42:4; Psalms 95:1; Isaiah 8:9; Isaiah 42:13