King James Version

What Does Joshua 6:13 Mean?

Joshua 6:13 in the King James Version says “And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with th...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.”

Joshua 6:13 · KJV

Context

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.

13

And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

14

And the second day they compassed the city once , and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

15

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

Read Joshua 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The seven priests bearing seven trumpets continue their processional before the ark, maintaining the sacred order established on day one. The emphasis on 'went on continually' (halok v'taqa, הָלוֹךְ וְתָקַע) stresses unceasing proclamation. They blew the trumpets without stopping throughout the entire circuit. This sustained witness proclaimed God's sovereignty without wavering. The armed men going before and the rearward coming after maintain the protective formation. The phrase 'going on, and blowing' appears again, underlining persistence. This second day's repetition—identical to the first—would have seemed anticlimactic to human observers. Yet God was building faith through obedience, testing perseverance through routine. The continuous trumpet blast symbolizes the constant proclamation of God's Word—not intermittent or convenient, but sustained and faithful. Believers are called to 'sound the trumpet' of gospel witness continually, not merely when it feels impactful (2 Timothy 4:2).

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Historical & Cultural Context

By the second day, Jericho's inhabitants would have begun wondering about Israel's strategy. The repetition of the identical pattern—same time, same formation, same trumpet blasts, same silence—created mounting psychological pressure. Ancient military tactics relied on surprise, adaptation, variation. Israel's unchanging pattern suggested either madness or supreme confidence in divine power. The sustained trumpet blowing would have prevented any sense of normalcy within Jericho—a constant reminder of impending judgment. This persistence also trained Israel in corporate discipline. Thousands of people maintaining formation, silence, and coordinated movement day after day built unity and obedience that would be essential in future conquests throughout Canaan.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the call to 'continual' proclamation challenge your pattern of witness and prayer?
  2. What does God's use of repetition and routine teach about the value of spiritual disciplines?
  3. How can you maintain spiritual fervor when obedience feels repetitive or routine?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
שִׁבְעָ֨ה1 of 24

“And seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֡ים2 of 24

“priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

נֹֽשְׂאִים֩3 of 24

“bearing”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

שִׁבְעָ֨ה4 of 24

“And seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

בַּשּֽׁוֹפָרֽוֹת׃5 of 24

“trumpets”

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

הַיֹּֽבְלִ֗ים6 of 24

“of rams' horns”

H3104

the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus i

לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם7 of 24

“before”

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

אֲר֣וֹן8 of 24

“the ark”

H727

a box

יְהוָ֔ה9 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

הוֹל֥ךְ10 of 24

“came”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

הוֹל֥ךְ11 of 24

“came”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְתָק֥וֹעַ12 of 24

“and blew”

H8628

to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become

בַּשּֽׁוֹפָרֽוֹת׃13 of 24

“trumpets”

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

וְהֶֽחָלוּץ֙14 of 24

“and the armed men”

H2502

to pull off; hence (intensively) to strip, (reflexive) to depart; by implication, to deliver, equip (for fight); present, strengthen

הוֹל֥ךְ15 of 24

“came”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לִפְנֵיהֶ֔ם16 of 24

“before”

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

וְהַֽמְאַסֵּ֗ף17 of 24

“them but the rereward”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

הוֹל֥ךְ18 of 24

“came”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַֽחֲרֵי֙19 of 24

“after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֲר֣וֹן20 of 24

“the ark”

H727

a box

יְהוָ֔ה21 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

הוֹל֥ךְ22 of 24

“came”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְתָק֥וֹעַ23 of 24

“and blew”

H8628

to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become

בַּשּֽׁוֹפָרֽוֹת׃24 of 24

“trumpets”

H7782

a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

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 6:13 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 6:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 6:9Matthew 24:131 Chronicles 15:26

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