King James Version

What Does Joshua 6:20 Mean?

Joshua 6:20 in the King James Version says “So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of t...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. flat: Heb. under it”

Joshua 6:20 · KJV

Context

18

And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it. accursed: or, devoted a curse: or, devoted

19

But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD. consecrated: Heb. holiness

20

So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. flat: Heb. under it

21

And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

22

But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The fall of Jericho's walls stands as one of Scripture's most dramatic miracles, demonstrating God's power to accomplish the impossible through faith and obedience. The Hebrew verb nafal (נָפַל, "fell down") indicates sudden, complete collapse. The phrase "the wall fell down flat" (vatipol hachoma tachteyha, וַתִּפֹּל הַחוֹמָה תַּחְתֶּיהָ) literally means "fell in its place" or "fell beneath itself"—not merely breached but completely collapsed, allowing Israel to charge straight ahead rather than navigating through broken walls. Archaeological debate surrounds Jericho's destruction, with scholars proposing various dates and causes (earthquake, erosion, military assault). Regardless of mechanism, Scripture attributes the collapse to divine intervention in response to Israel's obedient faith. The strategy God commanded—marching silently for six days, then shouting when trumpets blast on day seven—had no military logic. Success depended entirely on obeying God's unusual instructions and trusting His promise. The unified shout represents corporate faith expressing confidence in God's word. Hebrews 11:30 commends this as an example of faith: "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days." The miracle authenticated Joshua's leadership, terrified Canaan (Joshua 2:9-11, 5:1), and demonstrated that God fights for Israel when they obey His commands.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jericho was the first Canaanite city Israel conquered in Canaan proper, serving as the strategic gateway to the land's interior. Archaeological excavations at Tell es-Sultan (ancient Jericho) reveal a heavily fortified city with massive defensive walls. The city dates to approximately 8000 BCE, making it one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. During the Late Bronze Age (Joshua's era), Jericho controlled vital resources including the Jordan River crossing, nearby springs providing water, and trade routes connecting the Transjordan to Canaan's hill country. The city's conquest fulfilled God's promise that He would give Israel the land and fight for them. The seven-day march around Jericho's walls involved the entire nation—armed men, priests carrying the ark, seven priests blowing ram's horns (shophar), and the people following in procession. The number seven (days of marching, priests with trumpets, circuits on day seven) symbolizes completeness and covenant in Scripture. The ram's horn trumpets (shophar) recalled Abraham's sacrifice of the ram instead of Isaac (Genesis 22:13) and announced significant events (Leviticus 25:9, Joshua 6:4-5). The miraculous destruction demonstrated that conquest was divine judgment on Canaanite wickedness rather than Israelite military superiority. The devoted destruction (herem) that followed—everything destroyed except Rahab's family and items dedicated to God's treasury—emphasized the holy war nature of conquest.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'Jericho walls' in your life seem impossible to overcome, and how might God be calling you to trust His unusual strategies rather than conventional human wisdom?
  2. How does the requirement for silent obedience during the march challenge your tendency to question or debate God's instructions before obeying?
  3. In what ways does the corporate faith required for Jericho's conquest inform your understanding of the church's unified witness and mission?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיָּרִ֤יעוּ1 of 25

“shouted”

H7321

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

הָעָ֤ם2 of 25

“So the people”

H5971

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

וַֽיִּתְקְע֖וּ3 of 25

“when the priests 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

הַשּׁוֹפָ֗ר4 of 25

“of the trumpet”

H7782

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

וַיְהִי֩5 of 25
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִשְׁמֹ֨עַ6 of 25

“heard”

H8085

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

הָעָ֤ם7 of 25

“So the people”

H5971

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

אֶת8 of 25
H853

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

ק֣וֹל9 of 25

“the sound”

H6963

a voice or sound

הַשּׁוֹפָ֗ר10 of 25

“of the trumpet”

H7782

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

וַיָּרִ֤יעוּ11 of 25

“shouted”

H7321

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

הָעָ֤ם12 of 25

“So the people”

H5971

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

תְּרוּעָ֣ה13 of 25

“shout”

H8643

clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum

גְדוֹלָ֔ה14 of 25

“with a great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וַתִּפֹּ֨ל15 of 25

“fell down flat”

H5307

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

הַֽחוֹמָ֜ה16 of 25

“that the wall”

H2346

a wall of protection

תַּחְתֶּ֗יהָ17 of 25
H8478

the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

וַיַּ֨עַל18 of 25

“went up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הָעָ֤ם19 of 25

“So the people”

H5971

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

הָעִֽיר׃20 of 25

“into the city”

H5892

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

אִ֣ישׁ21 of 25

“every man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

נֶגְדּ֔וֹ22 of 25
H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

וַֽיִּלְכְּד֖וּ23 of 25

“straight before him and they took”

H3920

to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere

אֶת24 of 25
H853

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

הָעִֽיר׃25 of 25

“into the city”

H5892

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

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 6:20 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 6:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 11:302 Corinthians 10:4-5Joshua 6:5

Places in This Verse

Jericho 1Settlement · Modern: Tell es Sultan · 31.87°N, 35.44°E63 verses across 13 books
View all places in Joshua 6 →

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