Joshua 6:4 Have seven priests carry seven rams' horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns.

◄ Joshua 6:4 ►

New International Version
Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.

New Living Translation
Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram’s horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns.

English Standard Version
Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

Berean Standard Bible
Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns.

King James Bible
And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

New King James Version
And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

New American Standard Bible
Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

NASB 1995
“Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

NASB 1977
“Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

Legacy Standard Bible
Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

Amplified Bible
Also, seven priests shall carry seven trumpets [made] of rams’ horns ahead of the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

Christian Standard Bible
Have seven priests carry seven ram’s-horn trumpets in front of the ark. But on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the ram’s horns.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Have seven priests carry seven ram’s-horn trumpets in front of the ark. But on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the trumpets.

American Standard Version
And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

Contemporary English Version
Take along the sacred chest and tell seven priests to walk in front of it, carrying trumpets. But on the seventh day, march slowly around the town seven times while the priests blow their trumpets.

English Revised Version
And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Seven priests will carry rams' horns ahead of the ark. But on the seventh day you must march around the city seven times while the priests blow their horns.

Good News Translation
Seven priests, each carrying a trumpet, are to go in front of the Covenant Box. On the seventh day you and your soldiers are to march around the city seven times while the priests blow the trumpets.

International Standard Version
with seven priests carrying in front of the ark seven trumpets made from rams' horns. On the seventh day march around the city seven times while the priests blow their trumpets.

Majority Standard Bible
Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns.

NET Bible
Have seven priests carry seven rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns.

New Heart English Bible
Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day, you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

Webster's Bible Translation
And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

World English Bible
Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day, you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and seven priests carry seven horns of the rams before the Ark, and on the seventh day you go around the city seven times, and the priests blow with the horns,

Young's Literal Translation
and seven priests do bear seven trumpets of the jubilee before the ark, and on the seventh day ye compass the city seven times, and the priests blow with the trumpets,

Smith's Literal Translation
And seven priests shall lift up seven trumpets of alarms before the ark: and in the seventh day ye shall encompass the city seven times, and the priests shall clang the trumpets.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And on the seventh day the priests shall take the seven trumpets, which are used in the jubilee, and shall go before the ark of the covenant: and you shall go about the city seven times, and the priests shall sound the trumpets.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, on the seventh day, the priests shall take the seven trumpets, which are used on the jubilee, and they shall precede the ark of the covenant. And you shall circle the city seven times, and the priests shall sound the trumpets.

New American Bible
with seven priests carrying ram’s horns ahead of the ark. On the seventh day march around the city seven times, and have the priests blow the horns.

New Revised Standard Version
with seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, the priests blowing the trumpets.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And seven priests shall bear trumpets, and blow before the ark; and on the seventh day you shall go around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And seven Priests shall take horns and they shall blow reveille before the ark and on the seventh day go around the city seven times, and the Priests shall sound with the trumpets

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And seven priests shall bear seven rams' horns before the ark; and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the horns.

Brenton Septuagint Translation

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Walls of Jericho
…3March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. 4Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. 5And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city.”…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Hebrews 11:30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

1 Kings 6:4
He also had narrow windows framed high in the temple.

Revelation 8:2
And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets.

1 Samuel 4:5
When the ark of the covenant of the LORD entered the camp, all the Israelites raised such a great shout that the ground shook.

2 Chronicles 13:12
Now behold, God Himself is with us as our head, and His priests with their trumpets sound the battle call against you. O children of Israel, do not fight against the LORD, the God of your fathers, for you will not succeed.”

Numbers 10:8-10
The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to sound the trumpets. This shall be a permanent statute for you and the generations to come. / When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies. / And on your joyous occasions, your appointed feasts, and the beginning of each month, you are to blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and peace offerings to serve as a reminder for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.”

1 Chronicles 15:24
Shebaniah, Joshaphat, Nethanel, Amasai, Zechariah, Benaiah, and Eliezer—the priests—were to blow the trumpets before the ark of God. Obed-edom and Jehiah were also to be guardians of the ark.

2 Samuel 6:15
while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ram’s horn.

1 Corinthians 15:52
in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

Exodus 19:13
No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows—whether man or beast, he must not live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”

1 Thessalonians 4:16
For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise.

Psalm 47:5
God has ascended amid shouts of joy, the LORD with the sound of the horn.

Leviticus 25:9
Then you are to sound the horn far and wide on the tenth day of the seventh month, the Day of Atonement. You shall sound it throughout your land.

2 Chronicles 5:12-13
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud

Isaiah 27:13
And in that day a great ram’s horn will sound, and those who were perishing in Assyria will come forth with those who were exiles in Egypt. And they will worship the LORD on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.

Treasury of Scripture

And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day you shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

Leviticus 25:11
A jubile shall that fiftieth year be unto you: ye shall not sow, neither reap that which groweth of itself in it, nor gather the grapes in it of thy vine undressed.

Leviticus 25:9
Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.

Numbers 10:1-10
And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, …

seven times

Genesis 2:3
And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.

Genesis 7:2,3
Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female…

Leviticus 4:6
And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.

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Ark Bear Blast-Trumpets Blow Blowing Carry City Compass Hands Horns Jubilee March Priests Rams Round Seven Seventh Times Trumpets

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Ark Bear Blast-Trumpets Blow Blowing Carry City Compass Hands Horns Jubilee March Priests Rams Round Seven Seventh Times Trumpets

Joshua 6

1. Jericho is shut up
2. God instructs Joshua how to beseige it
12. The city is composed
17. It is accursed
20. The walls fall down
22. Rahab is saved
26. The builder of Jericho is cursed

Berean Study Bible

And have seven priests
The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection, reflecting God's divine order. The Hebrew word for seven is "שֶׁבַע" (sheva), which is rooted in the idea of fullness and abundance. The presence of seven priests signifies a complete and divinely ordained action, emphasizing the sacredness of the task at hand. Priests, as mediators between God and the people, underscore the spiritual nature of the battle, indicating that this is not merely a physical conquest but a spiritual one.

carry seven trumpets
The Hebrew word for trumpet is "שׁוֹפָר" (shofar), traditionally made from a ram's horn. The shofar is a powerful symbol in Jewish worship, used to announce significant events and call people to attention. The repetition of the number seven here reinforces the idea of divine completeness. The trumpets serve as a call to action and a reminder of God's presence and power, heralding the miraculous intervention that is to come.

of rams’ horns
Rams' horns, or "יֹבֵל" (yovel), are associated with jubilee and liberation. The use of rams' horns in this context symbolizes freedom and the breaking of bondage, as the Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land. This imagery connects to the broader biblical theme of deliverance and God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to His people.

before the ark
The Ark of the Covenant, or "אֲרוֹן הַבְּרִית" (aron habrit), represents God's presence among His people. It is a sacred chest containing the tablets of the Law, Aaron's rod, and manna. The ark going before the people signifies that God leads the way in their battles, providing guidance and assurance of victory. It is a powerful reminder that success comes not by human might but by divine intervention.

On the seventh day
The seventh day is significant in biblical tradition, echoing the Sabbath, a day of rest and holiness. The Hebrew word for day is "יוֹם" (yom), and the seventh day marks the culmination of God's creative work. In this context, it signifies the completion of the Israelites' obedience and the fulfillment of God's promise. It is a day set apart for the miraculous, underscoring the divine orchestration of events.

march around the city seven times
The act of marching around the city seven times is a demonstration of faith and obedience. The Hebrew word for march is "סָבַב" (sabab), meaning to go around or encircle. This repetitive action symbolizes perseverance and trust in God's plan, even when it defies human logic. It is a physical manifestation of spiritual warfare, where victory is achieved through faithfulness to God's commands.

while the priests blow the trumpets
The blowing of the trumpets, or "תָּקַע" (taqa), is an act of proclamation and declaration. It is a call to attention, signaling the imminent intervention of God. The continuous sound of the trumpets serves as a reminder of God's power and the certainty of His promises. It is a sound of triumph and anticipation, heralding the miraculous fall of Jericho's walls and the fulfillment of God's covenant with His people.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(4) Seven trumpets of rams' horns.--Literally, trumpets of jubilee--i.e., of loud or joyful sound.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 4. - And seven priests shall bear before the ark. The Vulgate puts "on the seventh day" in connection with this part of the sentence; Luther also translates thus. The LXX., which Calvin and our translators and the majority of commentators follow, regard this part of the sentence as stating what was to be done on the six days, and rightly so, as vers. 8-14 clearly show. That the historian, as has been before remarked, did not always give the full instructions Joshua received is evident from this passage. The priests are not said to have been instructed to sound the trumpet on the six days; yet we learn from Joshua 5:13 that they did so. It is rather implied than expressed that the ark was also to be borne in procession; but that this was (lone is evident from ver. 8. Seven trumpets of rams' horns. There is no mention of rams' horns in the original, which is שׁופְרות trumpets of jubilee, i.e., of triumph (hardly as Gesenius, "alarm trumpets," though not necessarily, with Dr. Vaughan in his 'Heroes of Faith,' "the emblems of festival, not of warfare"). The word הַיּובְלִים is derived from the same root as the Latin is in the phrase Io Triumphe (cf. Greek ἰώ), and according to Gesenius our word "yule" is also derived from this root. The שׁופַר as the next verse shows, was a curved instrument, in shape like a ram's horn, though not necessarily of that material; whereas the חַלֺצצְרָה was a straight trumpet. Seven times. The importance of the number seven as indicative of completeness is here strongly indicated. Seven priests were to carry seven trumpets for seven days. The word for to swear, נְִשבַּע literally to be sevened, means to have one's vow consecrated and confirmed by seven sacrifices or seven witnesses (see Genesis 21:28, 30). The number seven, says Bahr in his 'Symbolik des Alten Testament,' 1, 187, 188, is the sign of the relation, union, communion between God and the world, as represented by the number three and four respectively, just as twelve is in another relation (see note on Joshua 21:3). Its meaning, according to Bahr, among the heathen is somewhat different. There it means the harmony of the universe, and is signified by the seven stars, to which, and neither more nor less, was the power of influencing man's destiny ascribed. And the priests shall blow with the trumpets. "Fac tibi tribas ductiles, si sacerdos es, immo, quia sacerdos es (gens enim regalis effectus es et sacerdotium sanctum, de te enim scripture est), fac tibi tribas ductiles ex Scripturis sanctis" (Orig., Hom. 7 on Joshua).

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Have seven
וְשִׁבְעָ֣ה (wə·šiḇ·‘āh)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

priests
כֹהֲנִ֡ים (ḵō·hă·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

carry
יִשְׂאוּ֩ (yiś·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5375: To lift, carry, take

seven
שִׁבְעָ֨ה (šiḇ·‘āh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

trumpets
שׁוֹפְר֤וֹת (šō·wp̄·rō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 7782: A cornet, curved horn

of rams' horns
הַיּֽוֹבְלִים֙ (hay·yō·wḇ·lîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3104: A ram, ram's horn (a wind instrument)

in front
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the ark.
הָאָר֔וֹן (hā·’ā·rō·wn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

Then on the seventh
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י (haš·šə·ḇî·‘î)
Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7637: Seventh (an ordinal number)

day,
וּבַיּוֹם֙ (ū·ḇay·yō·wm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

march around
תָּסֹ֥בּוּ (tā·sōb·bū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 5437: To turn about, go around, surround

the city
הָעִ֖יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

seven
שֶׁ֣בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

times,
פְּעָמִ֑ים (pə·‘ā·mîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6471: A beat, foot, anvil, occurrence

while the priests
וְהַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים (wə·hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

blow
יִתְקְע֖וּ (yiṯ·qə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 8628: To clatter, slap, clang, to drive, to become bondsman

the trumpets.
בַּשּׁוֹפָרֽוֹת׃ (baš·šō·w·p̄ā·rō·wṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7782: A cornet, curved horn

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OT History: Joshua 6:4 Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets (Josh. Jos)