And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

JOSHUA 5:15KJV
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Joshua 5:15 (KJV)

What does Joshua 5:15 mean?

Joshua 5:15 describes how the "captain of the LORD'S host" tells Joshua to remove his shoe because he is standing on holy ground. This moment shows that Joshua is in the presence of someone representing God's authority, and he responds with respect and obedience.

In this verse, the captain (a divine messenger or angelic figure) speaks directly to Joshua, who has just led Israel into the land near Jericho. The command to remove his shoe is a sign of reverence, similar to Moses at the burning bush. The encounter highlights that the land and the mission Joshua is about to undertake are set apart by God.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 5:15

  • "captain" (שַׂר, sar): This word means a chief, leader, or commander. Here, it refers to a high-ranking heavenly being, emphasizing the authority and seriousness of the message to Joshua.
  • "LORD'S" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of God in the Hebrew Bible, showing that the messenger represents the God of Israel, not just any spiritual being.
  • "host" (צָבָא, tsava): This word means an army or a group organized for war. The "host" here points to God's heavenly armies, underlining the power and support behind Joshua.
  • "holy" (קָדֹשׁ, qadosh): This word means set apart or sacred. The ground is called "holy" because of God's presence, not because of anything special about the location itself.

Why Joshua 5:15 matters

  • Joshua 5:15 clears up that Joshua's leadership is under God's authority, not his own; he must listen and obey just as Moses did.
  • The verse connects Joshua’s experience to Moses, reinforcing Joshua’s role as the new leader chosen by God and showing continuity in God’s dealings with Israel.
  • The command to remove his shoe emphasizes that God’s presence makes ordinary places holy, and that respect and humility are required when approaching God’s work.

Where else these words appear

“Loose” Hebrew H5394 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
  • Deuteronomy 7:22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.
  • Deuteronomy 28:40 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.

“shoe” Hebrew H5275 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
  • Joshua 9:13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
  • Isaiah 5:27 None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken: