Joshua 6:8 After Joshua had spoken to the people, seven priests carrying seven rams' horns before the LORD advanced and blew the horns, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

◄ Joshua 6:8 ►

New International Version
When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD’s covenant followed them.

New Living Translation
After Joshua spoke to the people, the seven priests with the rams’ horns started marching in the presence of the LORD, blowing the horns as they marched. And the Ark of the LORD’s Covenant followed behind them.

English Standard Version
And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD following them.

Berean Standard Bible
After Joshua had spoken to the people, seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns before the LORD advanced and blew the horns, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

King James Bible
And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

New King James Version
So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

New American Standard Bible
And it was so, that when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD went forward and blew the trumpets; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

NASB 1995
And it was so, that when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD went forward and blew the trumpets; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

NASB 1977
And it was so, that when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD went forward and blew the trumpets; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

Legacy Standard Bible
And so it happened that, when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before Yahweh passed on forward and blew the trumpets; and the ark of the covenant of Yahweh came after them.

Amplified Bible
And it was so, that when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets made of rams’ horns went on before the LORD and blew the trumpets; then the ark of the covenant of the LORD went behind them.

Christian Standard Bible
After Joshua had spoken to the troops, seven priests carrying seven ram’s horns before the LORD moved forward and blew the ram’s horns; the ark of the LORD’s covenant followed them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
After Joshua had spoken to the people, seven priests carrying seven trumpets before the LORD moved forward and blew the trumpets; the ark of the LORD’s covenant followed them.

American Standard Version
And it was so, that, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before Jehovah passed on, and blew the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah followed them.

English Revised Version
And it was so, that when Joshua had spoken unto the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD passed on, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
After Joshua had given orders to the troops, the seven priests carrying the seven rams' horns ahead of the LORD marched off as they blew their horns. The ark of the LORD's promise followed them.

International Standard Version
And so, just as Joshua had commanded, seven of the priests went forward, carrying the seven trumpets made of rams' horns in the LORD's presence, blowing the trumpets while the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD followed them.

Majority Standard Bible
After Joshua had spoken to the people, seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns before the LORD advanced and blew the horns, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

NET Bible
When Joshua gave the army its orders, the seven priests carrying the seven rams' horns before the LORD moved ahead and blew the horns as the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed behind.

New Heart English Bible
It was so, that when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD advanced, and blew the trumpets; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

World English Bible
It was so, that when Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before Yahweh advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of Yahweh’s covenant followed them.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, when Joshua speaks to the people, that the seven priests carrying seven horns of the rams before YHWH have passed over and blown with the horns, and the Ark of the Covenant of YHWH is going after them;

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, when Joshua speaketh unto the people, that the seven priests bearing seven trumpets of the jubilee before Jehovah have passed over and blown with the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah is going after them;

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be as Joshua said to the people, and the seven priests lifting up the seven trumpets of alarms before Jehovah, passed by and clanged upon the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of Jehovah went after them.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And when Josue had ended his words, and the seven priests blew the seven trumpets before the ark of the covenant of the Lord,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when Joshua had finished his words, and the seven priests sounded the seven trumpets before the ark of the covenant of the Lord,

New American Bible
When Joshua spoke to the people, the seven priests who carried the ram’s horns before the LORD marched and blew their horns, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

New Revised Standard Version
As Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the LORD went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD following them.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And as Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets passed on before the ark of the LORD, blowing on the trumpets; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And as Yeshua told the people, seven Priests were carrying seven horns and they were blowing reveille before the ark of LORD JEHOVAH, and they were sounding with the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of LORD JEHOVAH was coming after them

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And it was so, that when Joshua had spoken unto the people, the seven priests bearing the seven rams' horns before the LORD passed on, and blew with the horns; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Walls of Jericho
…7And he told the people, “Advance and march around the city, with the armed troops going ahead of the ark of the LORD.” 8 After Joshua had spoken to the people, seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns before the LORD advanced and blew the horns, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them. 9While the horns continued to sound, the armed troops marched ahead of the priests who blew the horns, and the rear guard followed the ark.…

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 Corinthians 1:27
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

2 Corinthians 10:4
The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.

Romans 15:4
For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope.

Hebrews 4:8
For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.

James 2:25
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?

Acts 7:45
And our fathers who received it brought it in with Joshua when they dispossessed the nations God drove out before them. It remained until the time of David,

Matthew 1:5
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

Revelation 11:15
Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”

Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ...

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.

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.

Exodus 23:20-23
Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. / Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him. / But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes. ...

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.”

Deuteronomy 20:4
For the LORD your God goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.”

Treasury of Scripture

And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

before the Lord

Joshua 6:3,4
And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days…

Numbers 32:20
And Moses said unto them, If ye will do this thing, if ye will go armed before the LORD to war,

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Advanced Ark Bearing Blew Carrying Commanded Covenant Horns Joshua Lord's Passed Priests Rams Seven Trumpets

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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 after Joshua had spoken to the people
This phrase highlights the role of Joshua as a leader and prophet, who communicates God's commands to the Israelites. The Hebrew root for "spoken" is דָּבַר (dabar), which implies not just speaking, but conveying a message with authority and purpose. Joshua's leadership is pivotal, as he acts as a mediator between God and the people, ensuring that divine instructions are clearly understood and followed. This reflects the importance of godly leadership in guiding a community according to divine will.

the seven priests
The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection, derived from the Hebrew word שֶׁבַע (sheva). The presence of seven priests signifies the completeness of the divine plan and the sacredness of the task at hand. Priests, in their role, serve as intermediaries between God and the people, emphasizing the holiness of the proceedings and the necessity of spiritual purity in executing God's commands.

carrying the seven trumpets
The trumpets, or שׁוֹפָרוֹת (shofarot) in Hebrew, are ram's horns used in ancient Israel for religious and military purposes. The use of trumpets here is significant, as they are instruments of both worship and warfare, symbolizing the merging of divine intervention with human action. The sound of the trumpet is a call to attention, a signal of God's presence and power, and a herald of impending victory.

before the LORD
This phrase underscores the concept of acting in the presence of God, or לִפְנֵי יְהוָה (lifnei YHWH) in Hebrew. It signifies that the actions of the priests and the Israelites are not merely ritualistic but are performed with the awareness of God's immediate presence. This serves as a reminder of the omnipresence of God and the need for reverence and obedience in His sight.

went forward
The movement "went forward" indicates progression and obedience to God's command. The Hebrew root עָבַר (avar) suggests crossing over or advancing, which in this context, reflects the Israelites' faith and trust in God's plan. It is a physical manifestation of their spiritual journey, moving forward in faith towards the fulfillment of God's promises.

blowing the trumpets
The act of blowing the trumpets is both a literal and symbolic action. The Hebrew word תָּקַע (taqa) means to blow or sound, and it represents a proclamation of faith and a declaration of God's impending victory. This act is a demonstration of obedience and trust in God's power to deliver, serving as a catalyst for the miraculous events that follow.

and the ark of the covenant of the LORD
The Ark of the Covenant, אָרוֹן הַבְּרִית (aron habrit) in Hebrew, is the most sacred object in Israelite worship, representing God's presence and His covenant with Israel. Its presence in the procession signifies that the battle is not merely physical but spiritual, with God Himself leading His people. The Ark is a tangible reminder of God's promises and faithfulness.

followed them
The phrase "followed them" indicates the order and structure of the procession, with the Ark following the priests. This arrangement highlights the centrality of God's presence in the midst of His people. The Hebrew root for "followed" is הָלַךְ (halak), meaning to walk or go, suggesting that God's presence is actively moving with and guiding the Israelites. This serves as a powerful reminder of God's guidance and protection as His people step out in faith.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - He that is armed, or rather disencumbered, i.e., prepared for battle (see Joshua 4:13). Similarly, in the next verse, "the armed men," i.e., the host in marching order, as we say. Kimchi and Jarchi refer this to the Reubenites and their brethren, but without sufficient authority. Keil thinks that it was impossible that the unarmed people would have gone with the procession as "the rereward" (see note on Joshua 5:13), because no command to that effect is given in ver. 3. But as he has told us in Joshua 3, 4, and as we have just seen in ver. 4. the command to Joshua is not fully given. A short abstract of it is given, and it is to be filled up in detail from the subsequent narrative.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

After Joshua
יְהוֹשֻׁעַ֮ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites

had spoken
כֶּאֱמֹ֣ר (ke·’ĕ·mōr)
Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the people,
הָעָם֒ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

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

priests
הַכֹּהֲנִ֡ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

carrying
נֹשְׂאִים֩ (nō·śə·’îm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - 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

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

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

advanced
עָבְר֕וּ (‘ā·ḇə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on

and blew
וְתָקְע֖וּ (wə·ṯā·qə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 8628: To clatter, slap, clang, to drive, to become bondsman

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

and the ark
וַֽאֲרוֹן֙ (wa·’ă·rō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

of the covenant
בְּרִ֣ית (bə·rîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1285: A covenant

of the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

followed
הֹלֵ֖ךְ (hō·lêḵ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

them.
אַחֲרֵיהֶֽם׃ (’a·ḥă·rê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

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OT History: Joshua 6:8 It was so that when Joshua had (Josh. Jos)