King James Version

What Does Joshua 6:3 Mean?

Joshua 6:3 in the King James Version says “And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once . Thus shalt thou do six days.” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once . Thus shalt thou do six days.”

Joshua 6:3 · KJV

Context

1

Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. was: Heb. did shut up, and was shut up

2

And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.

3

And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once . Thus shalt thou do six days.

4

And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

5

And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him. flat: Heb. under it

Read Joshua 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

God's battle strategy defies military logic. The command to "compass the city" (vesabbotum et-ha'ir, וְסַבֹּתֶם אֶת־הָעִיר) means to circle or march around Jericho's perimeter. The phrase "all ye men of war" (kol-anshei hamilchamah, כָּל־אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה) indicates full military mobilization—not for attacking but for marching in procession. This contradicts conventional siege tactics, which involved assault, starvation, or negotiation—never ritual circumambulation.

The instructions specify precise repetition: "once" daily "six days." This seemingly pointless repetition tests obedience and faith. From a military perspective, marching around a fortified city accomplishes nothing—it exposes troops to defensive fire while demonstrating tactical impotence. Yet God's strategy often appears foolish to worldly wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:25-27). Faith means obeying unconventional commands, trusting divine wisdom over human strategy.

Theologically, this illustrates that spiritual victory comes through obedience, not through human strength or clever tactics. The repeated marching builds suspense, tests patience, and demonstrates that God's ways transcend human understanding. The six days of marching without result require perseverance—continuing to obey when results aren't immediately visible. This prefigures New Testament teaching about faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). From a Reformed perspective, this demonstrates that faith involves radical trust in God's revealed will, even when His methods seem absurd by worldly standards.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern siege warfare followed established patterns: building siege ramps to scale or breach walls, using battering rams against gates, digging tunnels under fortifications, or starving defenders through prolonged blockade. Egyptian, Assyrian, and Hittite military records detail these conventional tactics. God's command to merely march around Jericho inverted expectations—this was ceremonial procession, not military maneuver.

The seven-day pattern (six days of once-daily marching plus the seventh day's seven circuits) reflects biblical liturgical patterns. Creation took six days followed by Sabbath rest; Israel encamped six days then marched on the seventh; feast observances followed seven-day patterns. The liturgical structure emphasizes this is divine worship expressed through holy war, not mere military campaign. Israel's conquest was theologically conditioned—they executed divine judgment, not human aggression.

Jericho's defenders watching this strange ritual must have been bewildered. Conventional siege tactics they could understand and counter, but ritual marching defied explanation. This psychological warfare undermined morale. The marching testified to confidence in Yahweh's power—Israel needed no conventional tactics because their God would deliver victory. The fall of Jericho's walls would thus be unmistakably supernatural, leaving no room for human boasting (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'Jericho strategies' is God calling you to employ that seem foolish by worldly wisdom but demonstrate faith in His power?
  2. How do you respond when God's instructions don't produce immediate results—do you persevere in obedience or revert to conventional methods?
  3. What role does patient, persistent obedience play in seeing God's promises fulfilled in your life?
  4. How does this passage challenge pragmatism that evaluates methods by apparent effectiveness rather than faithfulness to God's commands?
  5. In what ways does Jericho's conquest illustrate that 'the foolishness of God is wiser than men' (1 Corinthians 1:25)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְסַבֹּתֶ֣ם1 of 15

“And ye shall compass”

H5437

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

אֶת2 of 15
H853

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

הָעִ֖יר3 of 15

“the city”

H5892

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

כֹּ֚ל4 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אַנְשֵׁ֣י5 of 15
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)

הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה6 of 15

“of war”

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

הַקֵּ֥יף7 of 15

“and go round about”

H5362

to strike with more or less violence (beat, fell, corrode); by implication (of attack) to knock together, i.e., surround or circulate

אֶת8 of 15
H853

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

הָעִ֖יר9 of 15

“the city”

H5892

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

פַּ֣עַם10 of 15

“once”

H6471

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

אֶחָ֑ת11 of 15
H259

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

כֹּ֥ה12 of 15
H3541

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

תַֽעֲשֶׂ֖ה13 of 15

“Thus shalt thou do”

H6213

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

שֵׁ֥שֶׁת14 of 15

“six”

H8337

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

יָמִֽים׃15 of 15

“days”

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 6:3 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 6:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Corinthians 4:7Numbers 14:9Joshua 6:71 Corinthians 1:21-25Joshua 6:14

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