King James Version

What Does Joshua 6:9 Mean?

Joshua 6:9 in the King James Version says “And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. rereward: Heb. gathering host”

Joshua 6:9 · KJV

Context

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.

8

And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

9

And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets. rereward: Heb. gathering host

10

And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. any noise: Heb. your voice to be heard

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.

Read Joshua 6 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The military formation—armed men before the priests, rear guard after the ark—creates a protective envelope around the ark while prioritizing spiritual over martial elements. The phrase 'priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets' emphasizes continuous action (halok v'taqa, הָלוֹךְ וְתָקַע—walking and blowing). The Hebrew construction indicates sustained, ongoing trumpet blasts throughout the procession, not intermittent sounds. This sustained proclamation announced God's presence and imminent judgment. The 'rereward' (me'asef, מְאַסֵּף—gathering, bringing up the rear) protected stragglers and completed the sacred formation. The entire structure declares that Israel's strength lies not in military prowess but in worship and God's presence. This formation typifies how God's people should approach challenges—surrounded by prayer and worship, with God's presence at the center.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern armies typically placed elite troops at the front and center, with the less skilled at the rear. Israel inverts this by placing priests and the ark—not warriors—at the center. This unconventional arrangement would have puzzled Jericho's defenders and challenged Israel's own military instincts. The continuous trumpet blowing served multiple purposes: declaring God's sovereignty, maintaining Israel's focus on divine presence rather than human strength, and psychologically unnerving the enemy. Ancient warfare included psychological elements—war cries, intimidating displays, demonstrations of force. Israel's religious procession combined all these while centering on God rather than human intimidation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does your life formation place worship and God's presence at the center, or do secular concerns dominate?
  2. What does continuous trumpet blowing (sustained proclamation) teach about perseverance in prayer and witness?
  3. How should the church's 'battle formation' differ from worldly organizations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְהֶֽחָל֣וּץ1 of 13

“And the armed”

H2502

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

הָל֖וֹךְ2 of 13

“came”

H1980

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

לִפְנֵי֙3 of 13

“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

הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים4 of 13

“the priests”

H3548

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

וְתָק֥וֹעַ5 of 13

“and blowing”

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׃6 of 13

“with the trumpets”

H7782

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

וְהַֽמְאַסֵּ֗ף7 of 13

“and the rereward”

H622

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

הָל֖וֹךְ8 of 13

“came”

H1980

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

אַֽחֲרֵ֣י9 of 13

“after”

H310

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

הָֽאָר֔וֹן10 of 13

“the ark”

H727

a box

הָל֖וֹךְ11 of 13

“came”

H1980

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

וְתָק֥וֹעַ12 of 13

“and blowing”

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 13

“with the 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 6:9 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 6:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 6:13Isaiah 58:8Numbers 10:25Isaiah 52:11-12

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