Joshua 6:20
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.
Joshua 6:20 · King James Version
Meaning
When the Israelites reached the fortified city of Jericho, God instructed Joshua to have the people march around the city once a day for six days, with seven priests carrying trumpets of rams' horns before the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When the people heard the sound of the trumpets and shouted, the walls of Jericho miraculously fell down flat, allowing the Israelites to enter the city and conquer it.
This verse from the book of Joshua demonstrates the power of faith and obedience to God's commands. The Israelites' victory at Jericho was not achieved through their own strength or military strategy, but through their trust in God's plan. The trumpets symbolize their faith and submission to God, and the shout of the people represents their praise and gratitude for His miraculous intervention. This event serves as a powerful reminder that with God's help, any obstacle can be overcome and any stronghold can be brought down.
Theological Overview
One theological interpretation of this verse from the Book of Joshua is that it demonstrates the power of faith and obedience to God's commands. The Israelites followed the instructions given to them by God and Joshua, even though they may have seemed unusual or challenging. By trusting in God and carrying out their tasks as instructed, they witnessed a miraculous event - the walls of Jericho falling down. This event serves as a reminder of the importance of faith, obedience, and trust in God's plans, even when they may not align with our own understanding or expectations.
Word studies on this verse can reveal the significance of certain terms used, such as "trumpets" and "shout". In biblical times, trumpets were used for signaling important events or announcements, often symbolizing God's presence or divine intervention. The act of shouting can also be seen as a representation of the people's faith and unity in God's plan. Together, the blowing of the trumpets and the shouting of the people created a powerful moment of praise, leading to the collapse of the city walls and the victory of God's people.
Joshua 6:20 in other translations
American Standard Version
So the people shouted, and [the priests] blew the trumpets; and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, that the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
World English Bible
So the people shouted, and the priests blew the trumpets. When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
Douay-Rheims
So all the people making a shout, and the trumpets sounding, when the voice and the sound thundered in the ears of the multitude, the walls forthwith fell down: and every man went up by the place that was over against him: and they took the city,
Geneva Bible (1599)
So the people shouted, whe they had blowen trumpets: for when the people had heard the sound of the trumpet, they shouted with a great shoute: and the wall fel downe flat: so the people went vp into the citie, euery man streight before him: and they tooke the citie.