Joshua 5:14

“And he said, nay, etc.] Not for or on the side of their adversaries was he come, as Joshua suspected at the first sight of him; the Septuagint version is, “he said unto him”, taking al for wl, as it sometimes is: but [as] Captain of the host of the Lord am I now come; of the host of the Lord both in heaven and in earth, angels and men, and particularly of the people of Israel, called the armies and host of the Lord, (<020704>Exodus 7:4 12:41); so that though Joshua was general, Christ was Generalissimo; and so Joshua understood him, and therefore showed a readiness to do whatsoever he should command him; the spiritual Israel of God, the church, is in a militant state, and has many enemies to…”

“the host of the Lord--either the Israelitish people (Exo 7:4; Exo 12:41; Isa 55:4), or the angels (Psa 148:2), or both included, and the Captain of it was the angel of the covenant, whose visible manifestations were varied according to the occasion. His attitude of equipment betokened his approval of, and interest in, the war of invasion. Joshua fell on his face . . ., and did worship--The adoption by Joshua of this absolute form of prostration demonstrates the sentiments of profound reverence with which the language and majestic bearing of the stranger inspired him. The real character of this personage was disclosed by His accepting the homage of worship (compare Act 10:25-26; Rev 19:10),…”

“Captain of the host of the Lord - i. e. of the angelic host, the host of heaven (compare 1 Kings 22:19; 1 Samuel 1:3, etc.). The armed people of Israel are never called “the host of the Lord,” though once spoken of in Exodus 12:41 as “all the hosts of the Lord.” The Divine Person intimates that He, the Prince (see the marginal references) of the Angels had come to lead Israel in the coming strife, and to overthrow by heavenly might the armies and the strongholds of God’s and Israel’s enemies. Accordingly, the capture of Jericho and the destruction of the Canaanites generally form a fit type of a grander and more complete conquest and excision of the powers of evil which yet waits…”

“As captain - I am the chief captain of this people, and will conduct and assist thee and them in this great undertaking. Now this person is not a created angel, but the son of God, who went along with the Israelites in this expedition, as their chief and captain. And this appears, By his acceptance of adoration here, which a created angel durst not admit of, Rev 22:8-9. Because the place was made holy by his presence, Jos 5:15, which was God's prerogative, Exo 3:5. Because he is called the Lord, Heb. Jehovah, Jos 6:2. My Lord - I acknowledge thee for my Lord and captain, and therefore wait for thy commands, which I am ready to obey. Joshua 5:15”

“5:14 Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence when he understood who stood before him. Joshua’s action demonstrated that he was available for God’s service, wholeheartedly and without reservation. • Scholars disagree whether the commander was an appearance of God, the pre-incarnate Christ, or an angel. His reference to himself as commander of the Lord’s army might imply that he was an angel. However, he did not prevent Joshua from worshiping him, as angels usually did (e.g., Rev 22:8-9; cp. Acts 10:25-26).”

“but as captain: or, Prince, Exo 23:20-22; Isa 55:4; Dan 10:13, Dan 10:21, Dan 12:1; Heb 2:10; Rev 12:7; Rev 19:11-14 fell on his: Gen 17:3, Gen 17:17; Lev 9:24; Num 16:22, Num 16:45; Mat 8:2; Luk 5:12; Act 10:25, Act 10:26; Rev 19:10, Rev 22:8, Rev 22:9 What saith: Sa1 3:9, Sa1 3:10; Isa 6:8; Act 9:6 my lord: Exo 4:10, Exo 4:13; Psa 110:1; Mat 22:44; Luk 1:43, Luk 20:42; Joh 20:28; Phi 3:8 Joshua 5:15”