Joshua 6:5 - It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the city wall shall fall down flat, and the people shall go up, every man straight in front of him.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Joshua 6:5" mean?
This verse, Joshua 6:5, is a pivotal instruction in the biblical account of the Battle of Jericho. It describes the miraculous way God will bring down the city walls, allowing the Israelites to conquer it. Let's break down the meaning:
"It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn...": This refers to the priests blowing the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram's horn. The "long blast" is a specific, sustained note, likely distinct from other calls.
"...and when you hear the sound of the trumpet...": This emphasizes the importance of listening and being attentive to the appointed signal.
"...all the people shall shout with a great shout...": This synchronized, unified shout is not just a random cheer; it's an act of faith and obedience, a collective expression of trust in God's power to deliver them.
"...and the city wall shall fall down flat...": This is the miraculous element. The walls will collapse, not through military force or siege warfare, but through divine intervention in direct response to their act of faith and obedience. "Fall down flat" suggests a complete and utter collapse, leaving no barrier standing.
"...and the people shall go up, every man straight in front of him.": Because the walls have fallen, the Israelites will be able to charge into the city without obstruction. "Every man straight in front of him" suggests a focused, direct assault; no need to maneuver around obstacles or find breaches. It's a simple, straightforward entry, made possible by God's miraculous act.
In essence, the verse means:
God is giving the Israelites a specific, unconventional strategy to conquer Jericho. They are to follow a set of instructions (marching around the city for six days, followed by the priests blowing the horns and the people shouting on the seventh day). Upon hearing the final, long blast of the ram's horn, and shouting with a mighty shout, the walls of Jericho will miraculously collapse. This collapse will allow the Israelites to enter the city directly and take possession of it.
Significance and Interpretation:
Faith and Obedience: The primary message is the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands, even when they seem illogical or impossible. The Israelites had no reason to believe that shouting would bring down walls, yet their obedience was rewarded.
Divine Power: The verse highlights God's power and sovereignty. He can accomplish what humans cannot, and He can use unconventional methods to achieve His purposes.
Spiritual Warfare: Some interpret the story of Jericho as an allegory for spiritual warfare. The walls of Jericho represent obstacles in our lives that can only be overcome through faith, prayer, and obedience to God.
God's Promise: The miracle at Jericho demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises. He had promised the Israelites the land of Canaan, and He was providing a way for them to claim it.
The account of Jericho is often used as a reminder that God can do the impossible when we trust in Him and follow His instructions, even when they don't make sense to us.
Joshua 6:5 - It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the city wall shall fall down flat, and the people shall go up, every man straight in front of him.”
What does "Joshua 6:5" mean?
This verse, Joshua 6:5, is a pivotal instruction in the biblical account of the Battle of Jericho. It describes the miraculous way God will bring down the city walls, allowing the Israelites to conquer it. Let's break down the meaning:
"It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn...": This refers to the priests blowing the shofar, a trumpet made from a ram's horn. The "long blast" is a specific, sustained note, likely distinct from other calls.
"...and when you hear the sound of the trumpet...": This emphasizes the importance of listening and being attentive to the appointed signal.
"...all the people shall shout with a great shout...": This synchronized, unified shout is not just a random cheer; it's an act of faith and obedience, a collective expression of trust in God's power to deliver them.
"...and the city wall shall fall down flat...": This is the miraculous element. The walls will collapse, not through military force or siege warfare, but through divine intervention in direct response to their act of faith and obedience. "Fall down flat" suggests a complete and utter collapse, leaving no barrier standing.
"...and the people shall go up, every man straight in front of him.": Because the walls have fallen, the Israelites will be able to charge into the city without obstruction. "Every man straight in front of him" suggests a focused, direct assault; no need to maneuver around obstacles or find breaches. It's a simple, straightforward entry, made possible by God's miraculous act.
In essence, the verse means:
God is giving the Israelites a specific, unconventional strategy to conquer Jericho. They are to follow a set of instructions (marching around the city for six days, followed by the priests blowing the horns and the people shouting on the seventh day). Upon hearing the final, long blast of the ram's horn, and shouting with a mighty shout, the walls of Jericho will miraculously collapse. This collapse will allow the Israelites to enter the city directly and take possession of it.
Significance and Interpretation:
Faith and Obedience: The primary message is the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands, even when they seem illogical or impossible. The Israelites had no reason to believe that shouting would bring down walls, yet their obedience was rewarded.
Divine Power: The verse highlights God's power and sovereignty. He can accomplish what humans cannot, and He can use unconventional methods to achieve His purposes.
Spiritual Warfare: Some interpret the story of Jericho as an allegory for spiritual warfare. The walls of Jericho represent obstacles in our lives that can only be overcome through faith, prayer, and obedience to God.
God's Promise: The miracle at Jericho demonstrates God's faithfulness to His promises. He had promised the Israelites the land of Canaan, and He was providing a way for them to claim it.
The account of Jericho is often used as a reminder that God can do the impossible when we trust in Him and follow His instructions, even when they don't make sense to us.