Joshua 6:4

“And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns, etc.] The ark was to be taken up and carried by priests round the city. Ben Gersom observes, that this was to direct the Israelites to keep and do according to all that was written in it; that is, in the law, which was contained in it; but no doubt the design of it was to show, that the subduing of Jericho, and the miracle that would be wrought, were owing to the power and presence of God, of which the ark was a symbol: and before it were to go seven other priests, with trumpets in their hands; which, according to our version, were made of rams horns: in the original it is “jobelim”, or “jubilee” trumpets. Some think…”

“The command of the Lord as to the mode in which the fall of Jericho should be brought about is given in these verses in a condensed form. Further details (see Joshua 6:8-10, Joshua 6:16-17, etc.), were, no doubt, among the commands given to Joshua by the Angel. Joshua 6:4 Trumpets of ram’s horns - Render rather here and in Joshua 6:5-6, Joshua 6:8, etc., “trumpets of jubilee” (compareLeviticus 25:10; Leviticus 25:10 note). The instrument is more correctly rendered “cornet” (see Leviticus 25:9, note). Various attempts have been made to explain the fall of Jericho by natural causes, as, e. g., by the undermining of the walls, or by an earthquake, or by a sudden assault. But the narrative of…”

“6:4 Seven is a biblical number of perfection. • The seven priests were to precede the Ark, the emblem of God’s presence, at the head of Israel’s forces. This arrangement symbolized that God himself fought against the town. Israel had only to march and observe, then shout and observe, and finally mop up after God delivered the town into their hands. • The ram’s horn (Hebrew shofar) could sound several pitches to signal either battle or worship. In battle, the shofar alerted troops or townsfolk to an enemy’s approach or sounded the call to advance or retreat.”

“trumpets of rams': The words shopheroth hyyovelim, should rather be rendered jubilee, trumpets, i.e., such as were used on the jubilee, which were probably made of horn or silver. for the entrance of the Israelites into Canaan was indeed a jubilee to them (see note on Lev 25:11). Instead of the dreadful trumpet of war, they were ordered to sound the trumpet of joy, as already conquerors. Lev 25:9; Num 10:1-10; Jdg 7:7, Jdg 7:8, Jdg 7:15-22; Ch2 13:12, Ch2 20:17, Ch2 20:19, Ch2 20:21; Isa 27:13; Zac 4:6 seven times: Gen 2:3, Gen 7:2, Gen 7:3; Lev 4:6, Lev 14:16, Lev 25:8; Num 23:1; Kg1 18:43; Kg2 5:10; Job 42:8; Zac 4:2; Rev 1:4, Rev 1:20, Rev 5:1, Rev 5:6, Rev 8:2, Rev 8:6, Rev 10:3, Rev…”