Joshua 6:1-14
The LORD Fights for Jericho
1Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.
2And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor.
3March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days.
4Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns.
5And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city.”
6So Joshua son of Nun summoned the priests and said, “Take up the ark of the covenant and have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark of the LORD.”
7And he told the people, “Advance and march around the city, with the armed troops going ahead of the ark of the LORD.”
8After Joshua had spoken to the people, seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns before the LORD advanced and blew the horns, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.
9While the horns continued to sound, the armed troops marched ahead of the priests who blew the horns, and the rear guard followed the ark.
10But Joshua had commanded the people: “Do not give a battle cry or let your voice be heard; do not let one word come out of your mouth until the day I tell you to shout. Then you are to shout!”
11So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. And the people returned to the camp and spent the night there.
12Joshua got up early the next morning, and the priests took the ark of the LORD.
13And the seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns kept marching ahead of the ark of the LORD and blowing the horns. The armed troops went in front of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the horns kept sounding.
14So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.
Berean Standard Bible
Jericho is tightly shut because of Israel. No one goes out and no one comes in. The city appears secure, but the LORD tells Joshua that He has given Jericho into Israel's hands. The promise comes before the visible victory and before the people know how the walls will fall.
The instructions are precise and unusual. Armed men are to march around the city, followed by seven priests carrying seven trumpets of rams' horns and the ark of the covenant. The people are told not to shout or make their voices heard until Joshua gives the command.
For six days the procession circles the city once and returns to camp. The repeated movement does not look like a conventional siege. Israel is being taught to obey a word from God rather than measure progress by the appearance of the walls.
On the seventh day they will march around the city seven times. The priests will blow the trumpets, and the people will shout. The arrangement puts the ark, the priests, and the commanded word at the center. Israel's victory is not presented as an achievement of noise, force, or cleverness.
How We Know
This account is best tested by reading it alongside the surrounding witness. Joshua records Israel's entry, settlement, and covenant life in continuity with Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Later books such as Judges and 1 Chronicles assume the people, land allotments, and places named here. Those internal cross-checks do not settle every archaeological question, but they show that Joshua 6:1-14 is part of a sustained historical and covenant record.
Questions
1 What is Jericho like when this reading begins?
AnswerThe city is tightly shut because of Israel, and no one enters or leaves through its gates.
2 What does the LORD tell Joshua about the city?
AnswerHe tells Joshua that Jericho has been given into Israel's hands, even before the walls visibly change.
3 What must accompany the armed men?
AnswerSeven priests carrying seven ram's-horn trumpets walk before the ark while the armed men follow the prescribed order.
4 How long does the first pattern continue?
AnswerFor six days the people circle the city once each day and return to camp without making the final shout.
What This Means for Us
Some obedience feels repetitive because it is not designed to impress observers. Israel's quiet marches teach patience before the dramatic moment and trust before visible results.
Do not treat a slow season as proof that nothing is happening. Ask whether your household has a clear faithful task, then do it without demanding immediate evidence that the walls are moving.
Prayer
Lord, make us faithful in the quiet work that precedes visible change. Help us obey Your word without turning trust into performance or demanding control over the outcome. Amen.