But Joshua commanded the people, “You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The intense silence commanded here is not just about waiting for the right moment to shout, but about demonstrating absolute trust in God's process. This deliberate quiet underscores that their victory isn't earned by their own noise or effort, but by their obedient stillness in the face of an impossible task.
But Joshua commanded the people, “You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites are meticulously following God's bizarre instructions for conquering Jericho. For six days, they are to march around the city in solemn silence with priests blowing trumpets and carrying the Ark of the Covenant, a practice that must have seemed utterly absurd and even inviting to the people of Jericho. This verse reveals Joshua's command to maintain this profound quiet, emphasizing that any outward expression of triumph or even a single word is forbidden until God's appointed time.
Imagine marching silently around a heavily fortified city, day after day. What would that feel like? This wasn't just a strange military tactic; it was a profound act of faith.
Joshua's command for total silence – no shouting, no talking, not a word spoken – was a radical test of the Israelites' obedience and trust in God.
Why the Silence?
This silence wasn't about suppressing their voices out of fear, but about actively choosing to honor God's instructions and demonstrating their full reliance on His promised power.
The walls of Jericho didn't fall on day one, or day two, or even day six. God's timing is often as crucial as His command.
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Joshua's instructions highlight a critical theological concept: the importance of God's appointed time for His actions and for our victory.
Waiting for the Signal
This narrative reminds us that God's plans unfold according to His perfect schedule. Our role is to faithfully obey His commands in the present, trusting that He will bring about His promises in His own time.
Understand the original words
ruwa' · Hebrew Verb/Noun
A loud, vocalized sound often associated with victory, praise, or battle. In Scripture, it is frequently used to express the joy of deliverance or to signify the decisive act of God in overcoming His people’s enemies.
This instruction for absolute silence during the marching demonstrates that obedience isn't always about outward action but about disciplined faith, trusting God's mysterious plan even when it seems illogical or passive.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter Promised Land
Following the death of Moses, Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River into Canaan, beginning their conquest.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Jericho is Fortified
The Canaanite city of Jericho is heavily fortified and shut up, presenting a formidable obstacle to the approaching Israelites.
c. 1400 BC
The March Around Jericho Begins
Joshua implements God's unusual strategy: a silent procession around the city for six days, with priests carrying trumpets and the Ark of the Covenant.
c. 1400 BC
The Seventh Day Climax
On the seventh day, the Israelites march around Jericho seven times, the priests blow the trumpets, and Joshua commands them to shout.
c. 1400 BC
The Fall of Jericho
At the people's great shout, the walls of Jericho miraculously collapse, allowing the Israelites to conquer the city.
This verse speaks of the Lord being in His holy temple and calls for all the earth to be silent before Him, echoing the profound silence commanded in Joshua's strategy as a sign of God's presence and imminent action.
1 Samuel 15:22Samuel's rebuke to Saul highlights that obedience to God's commands is far more pleasing than outward displays or sacrifices, mirroring how Joshua's silent obedience, not human strategy, led to victory.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29Paul explains that God often chooses the weak and foolish things to shame the strong and wise, which directly relates to God using a silent, seemingly foolish procession to conquer a mighty city, rather than Israel's military might.
Romans 8:28This verse assures believers that God works all things for good for those who love Him, which can be seen in the context of Jericho where the seemingly strange and difficult commands led to ultimate deliverance and victory.
gillJoshua 6:10: "And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout."
And Joshua had commanded the people,.... When he gave them their orders to pass on, and compass the city, Joshua 6:7 , saying, ye shall not shout; that is, on any of the six days as they went round the city, only on the seventh; for this being a sign of victory, it was not to be m…
calvinJoshua 6:1-19: "Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in."
And you shall compass the city, all you men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shall thou do six days.
Circuibitis itaque urbem, omnes viri bellatores, circundando eam semel: sic facies sex diebus.
And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day you shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blo…
The intense silence commanded here is not just about waiting for the right moment to shout, but about demonstrating absolute trust in God's process. This deliberate quiet underscores that their victory isn't earned by their own noise or effort, but by their obedient stillness in the face of an impossible task.
The Israelites are meticulously following God's bizarre instructions for conquering Jericho. For six days, they are to march around the city in solemn silence with priests blowing trumpets and carrying the Ark of the Covenant, a practice that must have seemed utterly absurd and even inviting to the people of Jericho. This verse reveals Joshua's command to maintain this profound quiet, emphasizing that any outward expression of triumph or even a single word is forbidden until God's appointed time.
The Israelites are meticulously following God's bizarre instructions for conquering Jericho. For six days, they are to march around the city in solemn silence with priests blowing trumpets and carrying the Ark of the Covenant, a practice that must have seemed utterly absurd and even inviting to the people of Jericho. This verse reveals Joshua's command to maintain this profound quiet, emphasizing that any outward expression of triumph or even a single word is forbidden until God's appointed time.
"But Joshua commanded the people, “You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout.”" — The intense silence commanded here is not just about waiting for the right moment to shout, but about demonstrating absolute trust in God's process. This deliberate quiet underscores that their v…
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Last reviewed October 2026