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 6:5KJVWhat 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.