Joshua 6:14

← Joshua 6:13 Joshua 6:15 →

Joshua 6:14 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.

King James Version KJV

And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

American Standard Version ASV

And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

Bible in Basic English BBE

The second day they went all round the town once, and then went back to their tents: and so they did for six days.

Free Bible Version FBV

So on the second day they marched around the city, circling it once, and returned to the camp. They did this for a total of six days.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

And the second day they compassed the citie once, and returned into the host: thus they did sixe dayes.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

And they compass the city on the second day once, and turn back to the camp; thus they have done six days.

World English Bible WEB

The second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. They did this six days.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did six days.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And they went round about the city the second day once, and returned into the camp. So they did six days.

Translation for Translators T4T

So on that second day they again marched around the city once and then returned to their camp. They did the same thing for six days.

Study Highlights

Key words in the translations above are automatically highlighted. Names of God and Jesus are marked in purple, the Holy Spirit in orange, divine action verbs are underlined, and repeated key words are highlighted in yellow.

Enable Study Highlights

God & Jesus

Holy Spirit

Divine Actions

Repeated Words

Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 6:14

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

Joshua 6:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וַ/יָּסֹ֨בּוּ אֶת הָ/עִ֜יר בַּ/יּ֤וֹם הַ/שֵּׁנִי֙ פַּ֣עַם אַחַ֔ת וַ/יָּשֻׁ֖בוּ הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֑ה כֹּ֥ה עָשׂ֖וּ שֵׁ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים

וַ/יָּסֹ֨בּוּ çâbab H5437 to turn Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

הָ/עִ֜יר ʻîyr H5892 excitement Art | N-fs

בַּ/יּ֤וֹם yôwm H3117 day Prep | N-ms

הַ/שֵּׁנִי֙ shênîy H8145 second Art | Adj

פַּ֣עַם paʻam H6471 beat N-fs

אַחַ֔ת ʼechâd H259 one Adj

וַ/יָּשֻׁ֖בוּ shûwb H7725 to return Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֑ה machăneh H4264 camp Art | N-cs

כֹּ֥ה kôh H3541 thus Adv

עָשׂ֖וּ ʻâsâh H6213 to make V-Qal-Perf-3cp

שֵׁ֥שֶׁת shêsh H8337 six Adj

יָמִֽים yôwm H3117 day N-mp

Hebrew Word Study

Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.

Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 6:14

וַ/יָּסֹ֨בּוּ çâbab H5437 "to turn" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.

Definition: : turn/bring_around 1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change 1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round 1b2) to be turned over to 1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform 1d) (Poel) 1d1) to encompass, surround 1d2) to come about, assemble round 1d3) to march, go about 1d4) to enclose, envelop 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round 1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be turned 1f2) to be surrounded

Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, [idiom] whirl, [idiom] round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come about, [idiom] circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, [idiom] on every side, beset (close, come, compass, go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back). See also: Genesis 2:11; 1 Chronicles 16:43; Psalms 7:8.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הָ/עִ֜יר ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Art | N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

בַּ/יּ֤וֹם yôwm H3117 "day" Prep | N-ms

The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.

Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow

Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.

הַ/שֵּׁנִי֙ shênîy H8145 "second" Art | Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means second or again, like when Moses went up Mount Sinai a second time in Exodus 24:15-18. It can also mean another or something distinct.

Definition: 1) second 1a) second (the ordinal number) 1b) again (a second time) 1c) another, other (something as distinct from something else)

Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: again, either (of them), (an-) other, second (time). See also: Genesis 1:8; 1 Kings 6:1; Isaiah 11:11.

פַּ֣עַם paʻam H6471 "beat" N-fs

This word refers to a beat or stroke, like a footstep or a blow. It can also mean a time or occurrence, and is used in the Bible to describe things like a single step or a repeated action.

Definition: 1) stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence 1a) foot, hoof-beat, footfall, footstep 1b) anvil 1c) occurrence, time, stroke, beat 1c1) one time, once, twice, thrice, as time on time, at this repetition, this once, now at length, now...now, at one time...at another

Usage: Occurs in 108 OT verses. KJV: anvil, corner, foot(-step), going, (hundred-) fold, [idiom] now, (this) [phrase] once, order, rank, step, [phrase] thrice, (often-), second, this, two) time(-s), twice, wheel. See also: Genesis 2:23; 1 Samuel 3:10; Psalms 17:5.

אַחַ֔ת ʼechâd H259 "one" Adj

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.

Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)

Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.

וַ/יָּשֻׁ֖בוּ shûwb H7725 "to return" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.

Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back

Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.

הַֽ/מַּחֲנֶ֑ה machăneh H4264 "camp" Art | N-cs

This word refers to a camp or army, like the Israelites' encampments in the wilderness. It can also mean a group of people or animals. The KJV translates it as 'army, band, or camp'.

Definition: 1) encampment, camp 1a) camp, place of encampment 1b) camp of armed host, army camp 1c) those who encamp, company, body of people

Usage: Occurs in 190 OT verses. KJV: army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents. See also: Genesis 32:3; Joshua 6:18; Psalms 27:3.

כֹּ֥ה kôh H3541 "thus" Adv

This Hebrew word means thus or in this manner. It can also indicate a location or time, such as here or now. The KJV translates it in various ways, including also, here, and so.

Definition: 1) thus, here, in this manner 1a) thus, so 1b) here, here and there 1c) until now, until now...until then, meanwhile Aramaic equivalent: kah (כָּה "thus" H3542)

Usage: Occurs in 541 OT verses. KJV: also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder. See also: Genesis 15:5; 1 Kings 22:20; Isaiah 7:7.

עָשׂ֖וּ ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.

Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made

Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.

שֵׁ֥שֶׁת shêsh H8337 "six" Adj

This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.

Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)

Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.

יָמִֽים yôwm H3117 "day" N-mp

Study Notes — Joshua 6:14

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Joshua 6:14 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 6:14
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 6:14
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 6:14
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 6:14

Context — The Walls of Jericho

12Joshua got up early the next morning, and the priests took the ark of the LORD. 13And the seven priests carrying seven rams’ horns kept marching ahead of the ark of the LORD and blowing the horns. The armed troops went in front of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the horns kept sounding.

14So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.

15Then on the seventh day, they got up at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. That was the only day they circled the city seven times. 16After the seventh time around, the priests blew the horns, and Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Joshua 6:15	Then on the seventh day, they got up at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. That was the only day they circled the city seven times.
2	Joshua 6:11	So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. And the people returned to the camp and spent the night there.
3	Joshua 6:3	March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days.

Joshua 6:14 Summary

The Israelites marched around the city of Jericho for six days, returning to their camp each day, as an act of obedience to God's command. This event shows us the importance of trusting in God's plan and timing, even when it doesn't make sense to us. Just as the Israelites had to wait for the seventh day for the city walls to fall, we often have to wait for God's timing to see His promises fulfilled, as seen in Psalm 27:14. By trusting in God's power and provision, we can overcome the 'walls' in our lives, just as the Israelites did in Joshua 6:14, and experience the fulfillment of His promises, as mentioned in Jeremiah 29:11.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the Israelites march around the city of Jericho for six days?

The Israelites marched around the city of Jericho for six days as an act of obedience to God's command, demonstrating their trust in His plan to give them the city, as seen in Joshua 6:14 and supported by the promise in Deuteronomy 31:6.

What was the significance of the seven priests carrying seven rams' horns?

The seven priests carrying seven rams' horns symbolized the perfection and completion of God's plan, and the horns were used to signal the start of the battle, as mentioned in Joshua 6:13 and echoed in the use of trumpets in Numbers 10:9.

Why did the Israelites return to their camp after marching around the city each day?

The Israelites returned to their camp after marching around the city each day to rest and prepare for the next day's activities, trusting in God's timing and plan, as they waited for the seventh day when the city walls would fall, in accordance with Joshua 6:15 and the principles of rest found in Exodus 20:11.

How does this event relate to the broader story of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan?

The event of marching around Jericho is a pivotal moment in the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, demonstrating God's power and the Israelites' obedience, as seen in Joshua 6:14 and foreshadowed in the promise of Genesis 12:7 and the instructions of Deuteronomy 7:1-2.

Reflection Questions

What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's plan and timing, even when it doesn't make sense?
How can I demonstrate obedience to God's commands, even when they seem unusual or challenging?
What are some 'walls' in my life that I need to trust God to bring down, and how can I apply the principles of Joshua 6:14 to those situations?
In what ways can I use my daily routines and activities to trust in God's power and provision, just as the Israelites did during their march around Jericho?

Gill's Exposition on Joshua 6:14

And the second day they compassed the city once,.... Went round it one time only; as on the first: and returned into the camp: which was at Gilgal, Joshua 5:10; so they did six days: four more after

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 6:14

And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the

Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 6:14

Joshua 6:14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.Ver. 14. And the second day.] See Joshua 6:3; Joshua 6:11.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 6:14

Verse 14. So they did six days.] It is not likely that the whole Israelitish host went each day round the city. This would have been utterly impossible: the fighting men alone amounted to nearly 600,000, independently of the people, who must have amounted at least to two or three millions; we may therefore safely assert that only a select number, such as was deemed necessary for the occasion, were employed. Jericho could not have been a large city: and to reduce it could not have required a hundredth part of the armed force under the command of Joshua.