Joshua 6:10-11
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The absolute silence demanded from the Israelites wasn't just about keeping the surprise; it was a deliberate act of trusting God's power instead of their own strength or voice. Every step, every day they marched in quiet obedience, was a testament to their faith that God's word, not their shouting, would bring down the walls.
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.” So he caused the ark of the LORD to circle the city, going about it once. And they came into the camp and spent the night in the camp.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Israelites are in the midst of a strategic, yet seemingly bizarre, operation to conquer Jericho, a heavily fortified city. For six days, they are to silently march around the city's perimeter, led by priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and blowing trumpets, before a final, momentous shout on the seventh day. This command for total silence, even forbidding conversation, emphasizes the immense faith and self-control required, as any outward sign of triumph is forbidden until God's appointed moment.
Why would an army march in complete silence around a fortified city? This wasn't a sign of fear, but a profound act of faith.
Joshua's command for silence wasn't about hiding their intentions; it was a strategic move designed to build faith and prevent premature victory.
Keeping the Enemy Guessing
By remaining silent, the Israelites avoided giving the people of Jericho any sign of triumph or any reason to be overly alarmed until the very end. This silence kept the enemy off balance, wondering what this strange procession signified. It prevented the city from mocking them or becoming emboldened by any perceived weakness.
A Test of Faith
More importantly, this silence was a test for the Israelites themselves. They had to trust God's plan, even when it seemed illogical and passive. Marching day after day in silence, without shouting or even speaking, required immense self-control and a deep reliance on God's word over their own understanding or military strategy. Their voices were to be held back until God Himself gave the signal for victory.
The command to remain silent wasn't arbitrary. It points to a crucial lesson about God's perfect timing and the necessity of obedience.
The silence imposed on the Israelites was directly linked to God's appointed time for the victory.
God's Appointed Hour
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Joshua's instruction was clear: the shouting, the sign of victory, was to happen only when God commanded it. This wasn't a suggestion, but a divine timetable. For six days, they marched in obedience, their voices restrained, waiting for the precise moment God had ordained for the walls to fall. This emphasizes that true victory comes not from human effort or timing, but from alignment with God's sovereign plan.
Obedience as Worship
This extended period of silence and marching, day after day, was an act of worship. It demonstrated their complete submission to God's authority and their trust in His power, even when the method seemed strange or ineffective from a human perspective. Their obedience wasn't conditional on understanding the 'why,' but on trusting the 'Who.'
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.
'arown · Hebrew Noun
The sacred chest symbolizing God’s presence, holiness, and covenant with Israel; it served as the footstool of God's throne on earth.
Yahweh · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of the Creator and Redeemer God of Israel, revealed to Moses, signifying His self-existence, faithfulness, and eternal nature.
`iyr · Hebrew Noun
A fortified urban settlement; in this context, it represents the kingdoms of Canaan that stood in opposition to God's promised inheritance for His people.
This verse highlights the importance of obedience and trust in God's timing. The Israelites were commanded to remain silent during their marches around Jericho, demonstrating their faith in God's plan rather than relying on their own noise or military might.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter Promised Land
After decades in the wilderness, Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River, marking their arrival in the land God promised to Abraham. This event sets the stage for their conquest of Canaan.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
The Fall of Jericho
Following God's specific instructions, the Israelites march around Jericho for seven days in silence, with priests blowing trumpets. On the seventh day, after shouting and blowing trumpets, the city walls miraculously collapse, allowing Israel to conquer the city.
c. 1400 BC
Destruction of Jericho
After the walls fall, the Israelites completely destroy the city and its inhabitants, except for Rahab and her family, who had shown them kindness. This event serves as a demonstration of God's judgment and power.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
The victory at Jericho, though a miracle, signals the start of the Israelite conquest of Canaan. This period involves numerous battles and the gradual subjugation of various Canaanite peoples.
This passage echoes the command for silence before God, highlighting that the Lord is in His holy temple and all the earth should keep silent before Him, mirroring the profound silence required before the walls of Jericho.
1 Corinthians 1:27This verse speaks to God choosing the weak and foolish things of the world to shame the wise and strong, which powerfully relates to God using a seemingly foolish, silent march to conquer a fortified city, demonstrating His strength in weakness.
Romans 10:14The passage questions how people can call on God if they haven't heard, and how they can hear without a preacher, drawing a parallel to the importance of divine instruction and obedience, as the Israelites could only shout when God commanded them to.
Hebrews 11:30This verse recounts that by faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days, directly connecting the act of faith and obedience described in Joshua to the miraculous outcome.
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 absolute silence demanded from the Israelites wasn't just about keeping the surprise; it was a deliberate act of trusting God's power instead of their own strength or voice. Every step, every day they marched in quiet obedience, was a testament to their faith that God's word, not their shouting, would bring down the walls.
The Israelites are in the midst of a strategic, yet seemingly bizarre, operation to conquer Jericho, a heavily fortified city. For six days, they are to silently march around the city's perimeter, led by priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and blowing trumpets, before a final, momentous shout on the seventh day. This command for total silence, even forbidding conversation, emphasizes the immense faith and self-control required, as any outward sign of triumph is forbidden until God's appointed moment.
The Israelites are in the midst of a strategic, yet seemingly bizarre, operation to conquer Jericho, a heavily fortified city. For six days, they are to silently march around the city's perimeter, led by priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and blowing trumpets, before a final, momentous shout on the seventh day. This command for total silence, even forbidding conversation, emphasizes the immense faith and self-control required, as any outward sign of triumph is forbidden until God's appointed moment.
"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.” So he caused the ark of the LORD to circle the city, goi…" — The absolute silence demanded from the Israelites wasn't just about keeping the surprise; it was a deliberate act of trusting God's power instead of their own strength or voice. Every step, every d…
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Last reviewed October 2026
