Joshua 6

I was straitly shut up. Heb., “did shut up, and was shut up”; perhaps referring both to the besiegers and besieged.

4 rams’ horns. Heb., “trumpets of jubilee,” used on joyful occasions.

17 accursed. Rather, “devoted” (R.V.), i.e., to utter destruction. For any person to appropriate anything thus devoted was sacrilege, by which he would become similarly devoted. This curse, called in Hebrew cherem (Gr. anathema), was irrevocable (see ver. 26; 1 Kings xvi. 34).

18 ye, in any wise, etc. A rather free rendering is better: “And do ye only beware of the devoted thing; lest when ye have devoted it, ye take of it, and so make the camp of Israel devoted” (R.V. marg.). As the event proved, when any of the things devoted to destruction were brought into the camp the curse was brought with them.

19 consecrated. Like the rest, “devoted”; but in another way.

20 the wall fell down flat. The word “flat” is not in the Hebrew, which means “fell down in its place,” or simply “fell down.” The wall collapsed. There was clearly nothing in what the people did which had any natural connexion with the result. It would, however, serve to confirm in themselves, and to exhibit to their enemies, an unhesitating obedience to the Divine commands, and a perfect reliance upon the promised aid of Divine power. See Heb. xi. 30.

21 utterly destroyed, etc. Lit., “devoted,” as in preceding verses.

23 without the camp. As unfit, without purification, for admission to the community of Israel.

Ver. 25 seems to intimate that Rahab was afterwards so admitted.

26. Cursed be the man, etc. The foundation would be laid at the birth of his firstborn, and if he persevered in the building, his youngest son would die at its completion. See 1 Kings xvi. 34.