Joshua 6:13

Verse

And the seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns kept marching ahead of the ark of the LORD and blowing the horns. The armed troops went in front of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the horns kept sounding.

American Standard Version (1901)

And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of Jehovah went on continually, and blew the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; and the rearward came after the ark of Jehovah, the priests blowing the trumpets as they went.

Bible in Basic English

And the seven priests with their seven horns went on before the ark of the Lord, blowing their horns: the armed men went before them, and the mass of the people went after the ark of the Lord, blowing their horns.

Free Bible Version

The seven priests with the seven rams' horns went ahead of the Ark of the Lord, blowing the horns. The armed men went before them and behind the Ark of the Lord, the horns being blown continually.

Geneva Bible 1599

Also seuen Priests bare seuen trumpets of rams hornes, and went before the Arke of the Lord, and going blewe with the trumpets: and the men of armes went before them, but the gathering hoste came after the Arke of the Lord, as they went and blewe the trumpets.

King James (Authorized) Version

And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

Translation for Translators

The seven priests who were carrying trumpets went in front of the men carrying the chest. The seven priests were blowing their trumpets as they marched. The group of soldiers carrying weapons went in front of all the others, and the rest of the army followed all the others. All the time, the seven priests were blowing their trumpets.

Unlocked Literal Bible

The seven priests, who were carrying the seven trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark of Yahweh, walked steadily and gave blasts on the trumpets. Armed soldiers were walking in front of them. But when the rear guard walked after the ark of Yahweh, then the trumpets gave out continual blasts.

Noah Webster Bible

And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rear-guard came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

World English Bible

The seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns in front of Yahweh’s ark went on continually, and blew the trumpets. The armed men went in front of them. The rear guard came after Yahweh’s ark. The trumpets sounded as they went.

Young's Literal Translation

and seven priests bearing seven trumpets of the jubilee before the ark of Jehovah are walking, going on, and they have blown with the trumpets — and he who is armed is going before them, and he who is gathering up is going behind the ark of Jehovah — going on and blowing with the trumpets.

Context

The Walls of Jericho

¹²Joshua got up early the next morning, and the priests took the ark of the LORD.¹³And the seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns kept marching ahead of the ark of the LORD and blowing the horns. The armed troops went in front of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the horns kept sounding.¹⁴So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.

Sermons

The Ark of the Covenant: Around Jericho Part Iii

Roy Hession

1.9K

Summary

In Joshua 6:13, the Lord instructs Joshua to have the Israelites march around the city of Jericho with the priests blowing trumpets. This strategic and unconventional method of warfare demonstrates the power of God and the importance of obedience to His commands. The obedience of the Israelites in following these instructions ultimately leads to the miraculous fall of the walls of Jericho, showcasing God's faithfulness and ability to deliver His people. This verse serves as a reminder that victory comes through faith and obedience to God's guidance, even when His methods may seem unconventional to human understanding.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the Lord,.... See Gill on Jos 6:4, went on continually; or, "going they went" (b): kept on going, making no stop at all, until they had compassed the city: and blew with the trumpets; as they went along: and the armed men went before them, but the rereward came after the ark of the Lord; which the Targum paraphrases as on Jos 6:9, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets; See Gill on Jos 6:9. (b) "euntes eundo", Montanus.