King James Version

What Does Joshua 6:10 Mean?

Joshua 6:10 in the King James Version says “And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any w...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. any noise: Heb. your voice to be heard”

Joshua 6:10 · KJV

Context

8

And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

9

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. rereward: Heb. gathering host

10

And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. any noise: Heb. your voice to be heard

11

So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once : and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.

12

And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.

Read Joshua 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's command 'Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice' imposes disciplined silence on the entire congregation except for the trumpet blasts. The Hebrew taru'ah (תְּרוּעָה) means a war cry or shout of triumph—which was to be withheld until the appointed time. This required extraordinary self-control and faith. Natural human instinct during military operations is to shout, to bolster courage, to intimidate enemies. Joshua prohibits this until God's appointed moment. The silence heightened tension and demonstrated that victory belonged to the Lord, not to human enthusiasm or effort. When the shout finally came on the seventh day, it would be a shout of faith responding to God's command, not of presumption. This teaches that spiritual victory requires waiting on God's timing, not presuming on His promises prematurely.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In ancient warfare, armies typically advanced with war cries intended to boost morale and terrify opponents. The Greek war cry (alalagmos), Roman battle cry (barritus), and various cultural shouts were standard military practice. By imposing silence, Joshua created an eerie, ominous atmosphere. Six days of silent circling—only trumpet blasts piercing the quiet—would have been psychologically devastating to Jericho's defenders. The silence also tested Israel's discipline and unity. Maintaining absolute quiet among thousands of people for six days required remarkable self-control. This discipline prepared them for the climactic seventh day when coordinated obedience would be crucial. The lesson: God's battles require disciplined obedience, not impulsive action.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this imposed silence teach about the relationship between human effort and divine action in spiritual victory?
  2. When are you tempted to 'shout' prematurely before God's appointed time?
  3. How does learning to wait silently on God's timing develop spiritual maturity and discipline?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאֶת1 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָעָם֩2 of 21

“the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

צִוָּ֨ה3 of 21

“had commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ4 of 21

“And Joshua”

H3091

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

אָמְרִ֧י5 of 21

“I bid”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹ֤א6 of 21
H3808

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

וַהֲרִֽיעֹתֶֽם׃7 of 21

“Ye shall not shout”

H7321

to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)

וְלֹֽא8 of 21
H3808

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

תַשְׁמִ֣יעוּ9 of 21

“nor make any noise”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת10 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

קֽוֹלְכֶ֔ם11 of 21

“with your voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

וְלֹֽא12 of 21
H3808

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

יֵצֵ֥א13 of 21

“proceed”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִפִּיכֶ֖ם14 of 21

“out of your mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

דָּבָ֑ר15 of 21

“neither shall any word”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

עַ֠ד16 of 21
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

י֣וֹם17 of 21

“until the day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אָמְרִ֧י18 of 21

“I bid”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אֲלֵיכֶ֛ם19 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וַהֲרִֽיעֹתֶֽם׃20 of 21

“Ye shall not shout”

H7321

to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)

וַהֲרִֽיעֹתֶֽם׃21 of 21

“Ye shall not shout”

H7321

to mar (especially by breaking); figuratively, to split the ears (with sound), i.e., shout (for alarm or joy)

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 6:10 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 6:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 12:19Luke 24:49Isaiah 42:2Isaiah 28:16Acts 1:72 Samuel 5:23-24

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