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.

JOSHUA 6:5KJV
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Joshua 6:5 (KJV)

What does Joshua 6:5 mean?

Joshua 6:5 describes how the Israelites are to bring down the walls of Jericho: when they hear a long blast from a ram’s horn, everyone must shout loudly, and then the city wall will collapse, allowing the people to go straight in. This verse gives God’s instructions for the dramatic moment when Jericho’s defenses will fall.

In this verse, God is speaking to Joshua, giving him specific directions for the conquest of Jericho. The people are to wait until they hear the sound of the ram’s horn, then shout together with a “great shout.” The verse emphasizes that the wall will fall “flat,” making a clear path for every Israelite to enter the city directly, showing that the victory will come in a miraculous and unmistakable way.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 6:5

  • The word for “ram’s” is יֹבֵל (yovel), which refers to a ram’s horn, often used for signaling important events. Here, it marks the exact moment for action.
  • The word for “shout” is רוּעַ (rua‘), which means to raise a loud cry or give a battle shout. This is not just noise, but a unified, purposeful cry from the whole people.
  • The word for “wall” is חוֹמָה (ḥomah), meaning a fortified wall. The verse stresses that this strong defense will fall “flat” (תַּחְתֶּיהָ, taḥteha), meaning it will collapse completely, not just be breached in one spot.
  • The word for “people” is עָם (‘am), which refers to the whole community, highlighting that everyone is involved in this act, not just a select group.

Why Joshua 6:5 matters

  • Joshua 6:5 clarifies that the fall of Jericho’s wall is not due to military force, but by following God’s unusual instructions, underscoring the miraculous nature of the event.
  • The verse shows the importance of unity and obedience among the Israelites; every person’s participation in the shout is part of God’s plan.
  • This verse sets the stage for the rest of the chapter, where the Israelites’ faith and God’s power are both on display, making it a key moment in the story of Israel’s entry into the Promised Land.

Where else these words appear

“flat” Hebrew H8478 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Exodus 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
  • Job 34:26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

“ram's” Hebrew H3104 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 19:13 There shall not an hand touch it, but he shall surely be stoned, or shot through; whether it be beast or man, it shall not live: when the trumpet soundeth long, they shall come up to the mount.
  • Leviticus 25:31 But the houses of the villages which have no wall round about them shall be counted as the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall go out in the jubile.
  • Leviticus 27:21 But the field, when it goeth out in the jubile, shall be holy unto the LORD, as a field devoted; the possession thereof shall be the priest's.

“shout” Hebrew H8643 · used in 33 verses

  • Leviticus 23:24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.
  • 2 Samuel 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
  • Psalms 33:3 Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

“long” Hebrew H4900 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 37:28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.
  • Job 21:33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
  • Isaiah 13:22 And the wild beasts of the islands shall cry in their desolate houses, and dragons in their pleasant palaces: and her time is near to come, and her days shall not be prolonged.