King James Version

What Does Joshua 5:14 Mean?

Joshua 5:14 in the King James Version says “And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and di...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? captain: or, prince”

Joshua 5:14 · KJV

Context

12

And the manna ceased on the morrow after they had eaten of the old corn of the land; neither had the children of Israel manna any more; but they did eat of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

13

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

14

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? captain: or, prince

15

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

This is the divine commander's response to Joshua's question whether he came as friend or foe. The Hebrew lo (לֹא, "Nay") negates both options—this figure transcends earthly alignments. He identifies himself as sar-tseva YHWH (שַׂר־צְבָא יְהוָה, "captain of the host of the LORD"), commanding heaven's armies. This title indicates supreme military authority under Yahweh's ultimate command.

Joshua's response demonstrates recognition of this figure's divine nature. He "fell on his face" (vayipol al-panav, וַיִּפֹּל עַל־פָּנָיו) and "did worship" (vayishtachu, וַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ)—the same Hebrew word used for worship of God. True angels refuse worship (Revelation 19:10, 22:8-9), but this figure accepts it, indicating divine identity. Most scholars identify this as a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, the Angel of the LORD who bears God's name and accepts worship.

Joshua's question "What saith my lord unto his servant?" recognizes subordinate position. Though Israel's military commander, Joshua acknowledges higher authority. The phrase echoes Samuel's response to God's call (1 Samuel 3:9-10) and anticipates Mary's submission (Luke 1:38). This illustrates proper response to divine revelation: worship, submission, and readiness to obey. From a Reformed perspective, this Christophany demonstrates Christ's active involvement in redemptive history throughout all ages—He is not merely New Testament Savior but eternal Lord present with His people in every era.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This encounter occurred at Jericho, just before Israel's first conquest battle. The timing is significant—before military engagement, Joshua receives divine commissioning and instruction. The figure's appearance as a warrior with drawn sword (verse 13) demonstrated that Yahweh actively fights for Israel—this is divine warfare, not merely human military campaign.

Similar theophanies/Christophanies appear throughout the Old Testament: to Abraham (Genesis 18), Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30), Moses (Exodus 3), Gideon (Judges 6), and Manoah (Judges 13). These appearances reveal God's active presence with His people, providing direction, encouragement, and commissioning for service. The pattern shows God doesn't remain distant but personally engages with His covenant people at crucial junctures.

The title "captain of the host of the LORD" may refer to angelic armies (Psalm 103:20-21, 148:2) or to Israel itself as the LORD's host (Exodus 12:41). Likely both—God commands both heavenly and earthly armies. This dual command emphasizes that Israel's battles occur on both visible and invisible planes, with spiritual forces engaged alongside human armies. Paul later articulates this principle: "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers" (Ephesians 6:12).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joshua's immediate worship and submission model proper response to divine revelation and authority?
  2. What does this Christophany reveal about Christ's active involvement in Old Testament redemptive history, not merely New Testament salvation?
  3. How should recognition that our battles have both visible and invisible dimensions shape Christian spiritual warfare and prayer?
  4. In what ways do you sometimes approach God's work as though you are commander rather than recognizing Christ's supreme authority?
  5. How does this passage challenge triumphalism that assumes God automatically favors 'our side' rather than calling us to align with His purposes?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר1 of 22

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֗א2 of 22
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

כִּ֛י3 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֲנִ֥י4 of 22
H589

i

שַׂר5 of 22

“Nay but as captain”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

צְבָֽא6 of 22

“of the host”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

יְהוָ֖ה7 of 22

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עַתָּ֣ה8 of 22
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

בָ֑אתִי9 of 22

“am I now come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיִּפֹּל֩10 of 22

“fell”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ11 of 22

“And Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

אֶל12 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פָּנָ֥יו13 of 22

“on his face”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אַ֙רְצָה֙14 of 22

“to the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וַיִּשְׁתָּ֔חוּ15 of 22

“and did worship”

H7812

to depress, i.e., prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or god)

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר16 of 22

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

ל֔וֹ17 of 22
H0
מָ֥ה18 of 22
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אֲדֹנִ֖י19 of 22

“my lord”

H113

sovereign, i.e., controller (human or divine)

מְדַבֵּ֥ר20 of 22

“unto him What saith”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אֶל21 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

עַבְדּֽוֹ׃22 of 22

“unto his servant”

H5650

a servant

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 5:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 5:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 55:4Genesis 17:3Exodus 23:20-22Revelation 19:10-14Acts 10:25-26Luke 20:42

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