King James Version

What Does Joshua 6:5 Mean?

Joshua 6:5 in the King James Version says “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 trump... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Joshua 6:5 · KJV


Context

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

6

And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.

7

And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse describes the climactic moment when supernatural intervention would manifest. The phrase "long blast" (mashakh beqeren hayovel, מָשַׁךְ בְּקֶרֶן הַיּוֹבֵל) literally means drawing out the Jubilee horn—extended sound versus short blasts. The Jubilee connection is significant: Jubilee proclaimed liberty, debt cancellation, and land restoration (Leviticus 25). Jericho's fall would liberate Canaan from Canaanite wickedness and restore Abraham's promised inheritance to his descendants.

The command for "all the people" to "shout with a great shout" (yari'u...teru'ah gedolah, יָרִיעוּ...תְּרוּעָה גְדוֹלָה) indicates corporate participation. This wasn't mere noise but liturgical acclamation recognizing God's victory. The Hebrew teru'ah (תְּרוּעָה) denotes joyful shout or battle cry, used in worship (Psalm 47:5) and warfare (Joshua 6:20). The shout proclaimed faith in God's promise before visible fulfillment.

The promise "the wall...shall fall down flat" (venaphlah chomat ha'ir tachteyha, וְנָפְלָה חוֹמַת הָעִיר תַּחְתֶּיהָ) literally means fall down beneath itself—complete collapse creating accessible entry. The phrase "every man straight before him" (ish negdo, אִישׁ נֶגְדּוֹ) indicates direct ascent into the city without siege equipment or climbing. God's supernatural intervention would remove all obstacles, requiring only faith and obedience. Theologically, this illustrates Ephesians 2:8-9—salvation is God's work, not human achievement. Israel's role was believing and obeying; God's role was accomplishing victory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Archaeological excavation at Jericho (Tell es-Sultan) by Kathleen Kenyon found evidence of collapsed walls from the Late Bronze Age period. Excavator Bryant Wood argues evidence supports a 15th century BCE destruction consistent with biblical chronology, though dating remains debated. Physical evidence confirms that Jericho experienced catastrophic destruction, with walls collapsing outward and downward, creating accessible rubble ramps—exactly as Scripture describes.

Ancient city walls were formidable defenses. Jericho's fortifications included double walls—outer wall 6 feet thick and inner wall 12 feet thick, separated by 15 feet. The walls stood on earthen ramparts 35-40 feet high. For such massive structures to collapse simultaneously requires supernatural intervention—no human agency could accomplish it. The collapse pattern (falling outward/downward creating ramps) defies normal siege results where walls fall inward from battering or undermining.

The liturgical shout accompanying wall collapse connects worship and warfare. Similar shouts appear at ark's movement (2 Samuel 6:15), temple dedication (Ezra 3:11), and eschatologically at Christ's return (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The shout expressed corporate faith, celebrated anticipated victory, and acknowledged God's sovereign power. This corporate worship participation prefigures the church's mission—proclaiming gospel truth that brings down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jericho's wall collapse through shouting and trumpet blast illustrate that spiritual victories come through proclamation and worship, not human effort?
  2. What 'walls' in your spiritual life require God's supernatural intervention rather than your strategic planning to overcome?
  3. How does the connection between Jubilee trumpets and Jericho's fall point to gospel themes of liberation and restoration?
  4. In what ways do you struggle to 'shout' (proclaim faith) before seeing visible evidence of God's promises being fulfilled?
  5. How does this miracle prefigure the greater miracle of salvation—God removing sin's barriers through Christ's finished work?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְהָיָ֞ה1 of 21
H1961

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

בִּמְשֹׁ֣ךְ׀2 of 21

And it shall come to pass that when they make a long

H4900

to draw, used in a great variety of applications (including to sow, to sound, to prolong, to develop, to march, to remove, to delay, to be tall, etc.)

בְּקֶ֣רֶן3 of 21

horn

H7161

a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e., ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a moun

הַיּוֹבֵ֗ל4 of 21

blast with the ram's

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

כְּשָׁמְעֲכֶם֙5 of 21

and when ye hear

H8085

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

אֶת6 of 21
H853

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

ק֣וֹל7 of 21

the sound

H6963

a voice or sound

הַשּׁוֹפָ֔ר8 of 21

of the trumpet

H7782

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

יָרִ֥יעוּ9 of 21

shall shout

H7321

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

כָל10 of 21
H3605

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

הָעָ֖ם11 of 21

all the people

H5971

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

תְּרוּעָ֣ה12 of 21

shout

H8643

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

גְדוֹלָ֑ה13 of 21

with a great

H1419

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

וְנָ֨פְלָ֜ה14 of 21

shall fall down

H5307

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

חוֹמַ֤ת15 of 21

and the wall

H2346

a wall of protection

הָעִיר֙16 of 21

of the city

H5892

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

תַּחְתֶּ֔יהָ17 of 21

flat

H8478

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

וְעָל֥וּ18 of 21

shall ascend up

H5927

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

הָעָ֖ם19 of 21

all the people

H5971

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

אִ֥ישׁ20 of 21

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)

נֶגְדּֽוֹ׃21 of 21
H5048

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


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 6:5 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 6:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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