King James Version

What Does Joshua 6:14 Mean?

Joshua 6:14 in the King James Version says “And the second day they compassed the city once , and returned into the camp: so they did six days.” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Joshua 6:14 · KJV

Context

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.

16

And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

Read Joshua 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The pattern continues—compassing the city once on the second day, then returning to camp. The repetition emphasizes the test of faith through waiting. God doesn't explain why six days of circling are necessary before the seventh day's climax. Israel must trust and obey without full understanding of the plan's logic. This models the Christian walk: we often don't understand God's timing or methods, yet we're called to faithful obedience regardless. The phrase 'so they did six days' looks ahead to the pattern's completion, emphasizing the sustained faithfulness required. Six days of apparently fruitless circling preceded the seventh day's victory. This pattern appears throughout Scripture—six days of creation work before Sabbath rest, six days of gathering manna before the Sabbath, six years of sowing before the Sabbath year. The number six represents human labor and incompleteness; seven represents divine completion and rest.

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Historical & Cultural Context

For Jericho's defenders, the third day would have brought a mix of relief and anxiety. Relief that nothing catastrophic happened on day two; anxiety wondering what Israel's endgame might be. The psychological warfare intensified through repetition. Each day that passed without assault would have generated false hopes that perhaps nothing would happen—followed by renewed dread as the procession returned. This mirrors the patience of God in judgment: He gives space for repentance (2 Peter 3:9), yet those who presume on His patience face greater condemnation. Rahab's household, hidden safely within, experienced these days differently—their fear transformed to hope through faith (Hebrews 11:31). The same circumstances, interpreted through faith or unbelief, produce vastly different responses.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you respond when God's timing differs from your expectations or understanding?
  2. What does the six-day pattern teach about the relationship between human labor and divine completion?
  3. In what areas are you being called to persist faithfully even when you don't understand the full plan?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיָּסֹ֨בּוּ1 of 13

“they compassed”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

אֶת2 of 13
H853

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

הָעִ֜יר3 of 13

“the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

יָמִֽים׃4 of 13

“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

הַשֵּׁנִי֙5 of 13

“And the second”

H8145

properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

פַּ֣עַם6 of 13

“once”

H6471

a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

אַחַ֔ת7 of 13
H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

וַיָּשֻׁ֖בוּ8 of 13

“and returned”

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֑ה9 of 13

“into the camp”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

כֹּ֥ה10 of 13
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

עָשׂ֖וּ11 of 13

“so they did”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

שֵׁ֥שֶׁת12 of 13

“six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

יָמִֽים׃13 of 13

“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

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 6:14 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 6:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 6:15Joshua 6:11Joshua 6:3

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