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Joshua 6:9

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 6:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And the armed men went before the priests that blew the trumpets, and the rearward went after the ark, [the priests] blowing the trumpets as they went.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And the armed men went before the priests that blew the trumpets, and the rearward went after the ark, [the priests] blowing the trumpets as they went.
Joshua 6:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams` horns before the ark of Jehovah.
7And they said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let the armed men pass on before the ark of Jehovah.
8And 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.
9And the armed men went before the priests that blew the trumpets, and the rearward went after the ark, [the priests] blowing the trumpets as they went.
10And Joshua commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor let your voice be heard, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
11So he caused the ark of Jehovah to compass the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
12And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of Jehovah.
← Joshua 6:8Joshua 6:10 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, etc.] Whom Jarchi, Kimchi, and Abarbinel, interpret of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh; that is, as many of them as Joshua took with him over Jordan; though rather all the armed men in the camp are meant; at least along with those mentioned went the standards of Judah and Ephraim: and the rereward came after the ark; because the tribe of Dan was the rereward in journeying, (<040231>Numbers 2:31); hence the Targum paraphrases the words, “and the tribe of the house of Dan went after the ark;” and so both Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it: but rather the body of the people unarmed are designed; at least these…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The rereward - Which being opposed to the armed men, may seem to note the unarmed people, who were desirous to be spectators of this wonderful work. Joshua 6:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and the rereward: Heb. gathering, host, Jos 6:13; Num 10:25; Isa 52:11, Isa 58:8 Joshua 6:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification