Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 6:2
And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valor.
2. And the Lord said ] The interview between the Hebrew leader and “the Prince of Jehovah’s host” is here resumed.
See, I have given ] Compare for a similar expression Jos 11:6. As Israel had stood on the shores of the Red Sea and seen “the salvation of God,” so now they were themselves to adopt no warlike measures for the capture of the city, everything was to be done for them, not by them: the victory when achieved was to be one, “into which no feeling of pride or self-exaltation could enter.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 2. And the Lord said unto Joshua] This is the same person who in the preceding chapter is called the captain or prince of the Lord’s host, the discourse being here continued that was begun at the conclusion of the preceding chapter, from which the first verses of this are unnaturally divided.
I have given into thine hand Jericho, c.] From Jos 24:11, it seems as if there had been persons of all the seven Canaanitish nations then in Jericho, who might have come together at this time to help the king of Jericho against the invading Israelites. The Targum intimates that the place was very strong, having “gates of iron and bars of brass and was shut up so closely that none came out, either to combat or make offers of peace.”
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Who are in it, resolved and ready to defend it with their utmost strength.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2. See, I have given into thine handJerichoThe language intimates that a purpose already formedwas about to be carried into immediate execution; and that, althoughthe king and inhabitants of Jericho were fierce and experiencedwarriors, who would make a stout and determined resistance, the Lordpromised a certain and easy victory over them.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the Lord said unto Joshua,…. The same divine Person called in the preceding chapter the Captain of the Lord’s host, Jos 5:14, now with him, and who gave him the following orders, instructions, and assurances:
see, I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof: which might be concluded from the fear that was fallen upon the inhabitants of the city and their king, and from their shutting themselves up so closely, not daring to come out against Israel: and especially from this declaration and promise of the Lord; and which should be done in such a manner, as that it would clearly appear to be of the Lord, and not men:
[and] the mighty men of valour; the military men, the soldiers, or army that were under the command of the king of Jericho; or, as Kimchi reads it, “though” mighty men, yet they should not be able to defend the city, or hinder its falling into their hands; for what were they to the mighty God of Israel?
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
2. The Lord said The Hebrew word for Lord is Jehovah. The identity of Jehovah with the Captain of the host of the Lord is too plain to be disputed by any sound biblical scholar. See Jos 5:14, note.
I have given The past tense here strongly expresses the certainty of the future event. In the divine mind the act is already accomplished.
Mighty men of valour Heroes of might. An appositive of Jericho and its king. Their warlike character is here attested by Jehovah.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And YHWH said to Joshua, “See, I have given into your hand Jericho, and its king, and the mighty men of valour.” ’
The problem for Joshua was how the Israelites could breach the walls with the means that they had at their disposal. Spears and swords would have had little effect on them. But as he was pondering the situation YHWH promised him that it was given to him by YHWH, and that its king and its soldiery would shortly be in his hands. What was to happen would be decisive for the future. As the news of it spread around (Jos 9:3) the Canaanites would realise that it was pointless to remain shut up in their cities as Yahweh could soon demolish their walls. It affected their whole military strategy. This may explain why they always left their cities to face Israel.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 2. And the Lord said unto Joshua, See, &c. The same person, who in the preceding chapter is called the Captain of the host of the Lord, is here named the LORD. There is no doubt, therefore, that this was a divine personage, the angel of the covenant, the Son of God.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Reader! I beg of you to remark with me, that this is the same person spoken of in the preceding chapter, as captain of the Lord’s host: for, certainly as there is no interruption in the history from what went before this is the beginning of the discourse, in opening the cause for which the captain of the Lord’s host, appeared unto Joshua. I need not, I should hope, remind the Reader, that He which was called the captain of the Lord’s host in that chapter, is in this said to be Jehovah. A plain proof that Jesus is Jehovah; One with the Father, over all, God blessed forever. Rom 9:5 . I desire the Reader to observe the Lord’s expression, I have given: that is, the thing is as good as done that God appoints. We have a similar expression concerning the intercession of the Lord Jesus for Peter before his fall, which furnisheth, as in this instance, a sweet thought for faith to feed upon. Luk 22:31-32 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 6:2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valour.
Ver. 2. And the Lord said. ] The man Christ Jesus, Jos 5:13 that man of war. Exo 15:3 “Jehovah is his name”: “Jehovah, mighty in battle,” Psa 24:8 whose “weakness is stronger than men.” 1Co 1:25
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.
said. This is the continuation of the Captain’s words, Jos 5:15. See note on Jos 3:7.
See. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.
I have given. It was Jehovah’s to give.
men. Hebrew, plural of ish or ‘enosh. App-14.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the Lord: Jos 5:13-15
I have: Jos 6:9-24, Jos 2:9, Jos 2:24, Jos 8:1, Jos 11:6-8, Jdg 11:21, 2Sa 5:19, Neh 9:24, Dan 2:21, Dan 2:44, Dan 4:17, Dan 4:35, Dan 5:18
the king: Deu 7:24, Jdg 11:24
Reciprocal: Exo 23:20 – Angel Jos 12:9 – Jericho Jos 20:1 – spake 1Ki 8:44 – whithersoever Eze 1:26 – the appearance of a man Eze 10:1 – as the Joh 1:18 – he hath 1Co 1:25 – the foolishness
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
THE TAKING OF JERICHO
I have given into thine hand Jericho.
Jos 6:2
The city of Jericho lay over against the point where Jordan had been forded by the Israelites. It was a great city, as cities went then, finely situated on the edge of fertile plains, and with walls so strong and thick that houses were built on them. How wealthy it was we gather from the spoil that Achan took. No other city in Israel had stores of gold and silver like those of Jericho. Perhaps, too, that Babylonian garment that is named among the ill-gotten gains of Achan, speaks of some commerce between the city and the East. Jericho would have been a great city for all time, if the curse of an angry heaven had not ruined it.
I. Note that this victory was a clear necessity.Unless that town were captured, it would be a constant menace to the invaders. They could never march another mile in safety, if such a garrison lay in their rear. Jericho blocked the way. It was filled with soldiers; it was the key to the passes; it was quite near to Gilgal, where the wives and children of Israel were encamped. Whatever the hazard, and whatever the cost, Jericho must fall. And are there no victories like that that are clear necessities to me? Is there no Jericho blocking my land of promise that must be razed whenever I cross the river? It may be a habit, it may be a friendship. But if I leave it standing I shall go trembling all my days in Canaan. At once, at every cost, it must be razed.
II. This victory began in a vision.Joshua was a true leader. He must see Jericho with his own eyes. He steals away to reconnoitre under the shelter of the groves of palm. He spies a form thereit is a man with a drawn sword. Art thou friend or foe? cries Joshua. And then he learns that he is face to face with the Friend of friends, the Captain of all captains. He sees, he speaks with God, before he conquers. Moses had a like experience. Do you recall that the words that Moses heard in HorebPut off thy shoesare the words uttered to Joshua now? Yet mark the difference of these two visions. To Moses God was mirrored in the burning bush; it spoke of an Israel suffering as by fire; purified, not consumed in the scorching heats. To Joshua God was mirrored in the warrior whose sword was in his hand ready for action. And it spoke to him of fighting and of triumph. It told him that back of Israel were the hosts of heaven. How true to our need are Gods appearances! How suited are his revelations to our times! Before my desert, I have my burning bush. Before my Jericho, my armed man.
III. This victory was delayed in mercy.In these seven days of trumpet-blast and silence there was the long-suffering of Jehovah. Seven is the perfect number, and seven figures largely in this story. There were seven priests blowing on seven horns; there were seven days of compassing the walls; there were seven circuits on the seventh day. There was no sudden assault or swift surprise. The walls of Jericho did not fall before an unlooked-for flash of heavens anger. The perfect cycle of the days had run before the moment of the awful doom. The circle of Gods forbearance was complete. And we may be sure that a God of infinite mercy will take no man or city at unawares. Unwarned hearts are never castaway. God waits. He gives a sevenfold summons to repentance. We hear the trumpet-call. The ark is at the door. For He willeth not that any man should perish, but that all should come to the knowledge of the truth.
IV. This victory was won by loyal faith.Remember what Jesus once said about faith. If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, He said, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place, and it shall remove. The city of Jericho was not a mountain, though it seemed to Israel to be walled to heaven, yet I sometimes think that Christ had Jericho in mind when He spoke that word about the power of faith. There have been besiegers who relied on stratagem, as when Troy was entered by the wooden horse. Others have found their ally in the starvation of the garrison, as in the awful story of Jerusalem. But the power of Israel lay in trusting God, and it was trust in God that gave them victory. Where were their military engines? They had none. Were the hosts of Israel experienced besiegers? They had never stormed a walled city yet. God was their strength. They triumphed because they trusted. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down.
V. This victory was marked by promise-keeping.In the hour of success we are apt to forget our word. The song of victory has often a selfish ring. In the tide of enthusiasm we grow absorbed in self, and the pledges of the day of trial are unremembered. But when the shout went up and the walls of Jericho fell, the word of the spies to Rahab stood unbroken. Joshua made certain that none should violate the covenant. There stood her house. The scarlet line was bound upon the window. The spies pointed it out. Rahab was safe. She and her household were taken from the ruins, and brought on their road towards the camp of Israel. And just as Joshua in the hour of victory kept his word with this woman who was a sinner, so Jesus, the greater Joshua, in His hour of triumph, keeps his word with sinful men. In His days of trial and suffering He promised far greater things to us than were ever promised to Rahab. He promised joy and peace and power and life. Now He has conquered. He has led captivity captive. And countless men can tell how the triumphing Lord has kept His word.
Illustrations
(1) Israel was taught that God can do without mans agency, though, as a rule, He graciously condescends to use it. Man is never necessary to God. It was not by their own power, but by a higher, that the Israelites were to effect their first entrance into the promised land. Whatever might be their own part in what followedwhatever might be their own even in thisthe sagacity of Joshua, the venturesomeness of the spies, the fidelity of Rahab, the seven days march, the well-known and terrible war cry; yet the river is crossed, and the city falls, by other means. Gods own arm brought salvation.
(2) The salvation of one womans soul. It seems a small harvest from so splendid a capture. Rahab delivered from death, Rahab who had lived in shameful sinthat was all. But God was satisfied. There was joy in the presence of His angels over a sinner who had repented. And thus I learn the priceless worth of one human life to God. I am of greater value to Him than a universe of material things. For me He has provided forgiveness through the death of His Son. To me He offers His Holy Spirit.