Joshua 6:5

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 every man straight before him.

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 And ye shall compass the city, all [ye] men of war, [and] go round the city once: thus shalt thou do six days.

4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

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 every man straight before him.

6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said to them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.

7 And he said to the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.