Joshua 6:5
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.
Joshua 6:5 · King James Version
Meaning
In this Bible verse, the blowing of the ram's horn and the sound of the trumpet signify a call to action for the people of Israel. The long blast and the shout of the people are symbols of their obedience and unity in following God's instructions. The falling down of the city wall flat represents the power and victory of God over the enemy. The people ascending up every man straight before him demonstrates their faith in God's ability to lead them to triumph. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of faith, obedience, and unity in achieving God's miraculous works. It teaches us that by trusting in God and following His commands, we can overcome obstacles and achieve victory in our lives. It shows that with God on our side, nothing is impossible.
Theological Overview
In this verse from the book of Joshua, we witness a powerful display of God's divine intervention on behalf of the Israelites. The use of the ram's horn, known as the shofar, and the trumpet signal the beginning of a miraculous event that demonstrates the supremacy of God's power. The command for the people to shout with a great shout serves as an act of faith and obedience, showing their trust in God's ability to bring down the walls of Jericho. The falling of the city walls highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to deliver the land of Canaan to the Israelites. The imagery of the people ascending up every man straight before him signifies the orderly and victorious conquest of the city. This verse serves as a reminder that God's ways are not always our ways, and that through faith and obedience, we can witness extraordinary acts of divine intervention in our lives.
Joshua 6:5 in other translations
American Standard Version
And it shall be, 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 go up every man straight before him.
World English Bible
It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you 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 go up every man straight before him.”
Douay-Rheims
And when the voice of the trumpet shall give a longer and broken tune, and shall sound in your ears, all the people shall shout together with a very great shout, and the walls of the city shall fall to the ground, and they shall enter in every one at the place against which they shall stand.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when they make a long blast with the rams horne, and ye heare the sound of the trumpet, al the people shall shoute with a great shoute: then shall the wall of the citie fall downe flat, and the people shall ascend vp, euery man streight before him.