Commentary on Joshua - Keil & Delitzsch - David Cox

Keil and Delitzsch <strong>Commentary</strong> on the Old Testament
either that the account has come down to us in a mutilated form, or that the appearance ceased without
any commission being given. The one is as incredible as the other. The latter especially is without
analogy; for the appearance in Acts 10:9ff., which O. v. Gerlach cites as similar, contains a very distinct
explanation in
vv. 13-16.)
This meaning is to be found not merely in the fact that the Lord was about to give
Jericho into the hands of the Israelites, but chiefly in the fact that the town which He
was about to give into their hands was so strongly fortified.
Verse 1. "Jericho was shutting its gates (vid., Judg 9:51), and closely shut." The
participles express the permanence of the situation, and the combination of the active
and passive in the emphatic form mªcugeret (OT:5462) (LXX sugkekleisme'nee kai'
oochuroome'nee ; Vulg. clausa erat atque munita ) serves to strengthen the idea, to
which still further emphasis is given by the clause, "no one was going out and in,"
i.e., so firmly shut that no one could get out or in.
Verse 2-5. "And the Lord said to Joshua:" this is the sequel to Josh 5:15, as v. 1 is
merely a parenthesis and Jehovah is the prince of the army of Jehovah (Josh 5:14), or
the angel of Jehovah, who is frequently identified with Jehovah (see Pentateuch, pp.
106ff.). "See, I have given into thy hand Jericho and its king, and the mighty men of
valour." ("Have given," referring to the purpose of God, which was already resolved
upon, though the fulfilment was still in the future.) "The mighty men of valour"
(brave warriors) is in apposition to Jericho, regarded as a community, and its king. In
vv. 3-5 there follows an explanation of the way in which the Lord would give Jericho
into the hand of Joshua. All the Israelitish men of war were to go round the town
once a day for six days. 'echaat (OT:259) pa`am (OT:6471)... haqeeyp (OT:5362),
"going round about the city once," serves as a fuller explanation of cabowtem
(OT:5437) ( "ye shall compass" ).
As they marched in this manner round the city, seven priests were to carry seven
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