And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

JOSHUA 6:9KJV
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Joshua 6:9 (KJV)

What does Joshua 6:9 mean?

Joshua 6:9 describes how the armed men marched in front of the priests who were blowing trumpets, while another group, called the rereward, followed behind the Ark of the Covenant as the priests continued to blow the trumpets. This verse gives a clear picture of the order and arrangement of the Israelites as they circled Jericho.

In this scene, Joshua is leading the Israelites as they carry out God's instructions for conquering Jericho. The verse highlights the careful organization: armed soldiers lead, priests with trumpets are in the middle, the Ark is central, and a rear guard follows. This arrangement emphasizes the sacredness of the Ark and the role of the priests, showing that the military action is closely tied to worship and obedience to God's command.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 6:9

  • "armed" (חָלוּץ, chaluts): This word refers to soldiers who are equipped and ready for battle, highlighting that the Israelites were prepared for conflict even as they followed God's unusual instructions.
  • "rereward" (אָסַף, asaph): This word means "to gather" or "to bring up the rear." Here, it refers to the rear guard, showing that the Israelites protected the Ark from behind as well as in front.
  • "blew" (תָּקַע, taqa‘): Used twice in this verse, this word means to blast or sound the trumpet. The repeated mention stresses the continuous blowing of the trumpets, which was a key part of the ritual as they marched.

Why Joshua 6:9 matters

  • Joshua 6:9 clarifies that the conquest of Jericho was not just a military maneuver but a carefully ordered procession centered around worship and obedience to God.
  • The verse shows that every group—armed men, priests, Ark bearers, and rear guard—had a specific role, underlining the unity and discipline of the Israelites as they followed God's plan.
  • Understanding the arrangement helps make sense of the miracle that follows, as the walls of Jericho fall not by force, but through faith and obedience to God's instructions.

Where else these words appear

“armed” Hebrew H2502 · used in 44 verses

  • Leviticus 14:40 Then the priest shall command that they take away the stones in which the plague is, and they shall cast them into an unclean place without the city:
  • Joshua 4:13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
  • Psalms 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

“blew” Hebrew H8628 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 31:25 Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
  • Judges 7:20 And the three companies blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers, and held the lamps in their left hands, and the trumpets in their right hands to blow withal: and they cried, The sword of the LORD, and of Gideon.
  • Proverbs 6:1 My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,

“trumpets” Hebrew H7782 · used in 63 verses

  • Exodus 19:16 And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.
  • 2 Samuel 2:28 So Joab blew a trumpet, and all the people stood still, and pursued after Israel no more, neither fought they any more.
  • Isaiah 27:13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.