Joshua 5:13

“And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, etc.] Or “in Jericho” f79; not in the city itself, but in the border of it, as Kimchi and Ben Melech; or on the side of it, as Jarchi; on one side of which he was reconnoitring by himself, very probably seeking for a proper place where to make his first attack; or if he could find out some avenue to the city, whereby he could enter more easily; or it may be he was meditating a scheme how to subdue the city; and it is very likely praying to God that he would direct him, and succeed him. Ben Gersom interprets it, his thoughts were in Jericho; and both he, and Abarbinel, suppose, that what follows was in a vision of prophecy, that it seemed to…”

“AN ANGEL APPEARS TO JOSHUA. (Jos 5:13-15) when Joshua was by Jericho--in the immediate vicinity of that city, probably engaged in surveying the fortifications, and in meditating the best plan of a siege. there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn--It is evident from the strain of the context that this was not a mere vision, but an actual appearance; the suddenness of which surprised, but did not daunt, the intrepid leader.”

“A man - See Genesis 12:7, note; Genesis 18:2, note. The appearance was that of God manifested in the Person of His Word. Hence, the command of Joshua 5:15. That the appearance was not in a vision merely is clear from the fact that Joshua “went unto Him” and addressed Him. return to 'Top of Page'”

“By Jericho - Heb. In Jericho, that is, in the territory adjoining to it; whither he went to view those parts, and discern the fittest places for his attempt upon Jericho. A man - One in the appearance of a man. Drawn - In readiness to fight, not, as Joshua thought, against him, but for him and his people. Joshua 5:14”

“5:13-15 The commander of the Lord’s army gave Joshua instructions for conducting the siege of Jericho (6:2-5). Like God’s earlier message to Joshua (1:1-9), this encounter was to encourage Joshua on the eve of action against the enemy. 5:13 Joshua was scouting the land and the city’s defenses near the town of Jericho to follow up on the report of the two spies (2:23-24). Joshua demonstrated personal courage when he approached the unknown figure whose sword was already drawn.”

“he lifted: Gen 33:1, Gen 33:5; Dan 8:3, Dan 10:5 a man: Jos 6:2; Gen 18:2, Gen 32:24-30; Exo 23:23; Jdg 13:8, Jdg 13:9, Jdg 13:11, Jdg 13:22; Dan 10:5; Hos 12:3-5; Zac 1:8; Act 1:10; Rev 1:13 his sword: Num 22:23; Ch1 21:16, Ch1 21:17, Ch1 21:27, Ch1 21:30 Art thou for us: Ch1 12:17, Ch1 12:18 Joshua 5:14”

“Appearance and Message of the Angel of the Lord. - Jos 5:13-15. When Joshua was by Jericho, בּיריחו, lit., in Jericho (בּ expressing immediate proximity, the entrance as it were into some other object, vid., Ewald, 217), - that is to say, inside it in thought, meditating upon the conquest of it-he saw, on lifting up his eyes, a man standing before him with a drawn sword in his hand; and on going up to him, and asking, "Dost thou belong to us or to our enemies?" he received this reply: "Nay (לא is not to be altered into לו, which is the reading adopted in the Sept., Syr., and a few MSS), but I am the prince of the army of Jehovah; now I am come." The person who had appeared neither belonged…”