Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What’s easy to miss is that the trumpets were not just any trumpets, but specifically "jubilee trumpets" (sometimes translated as rams' horns). This detail connects the conquest of Jericho to themes of jubilee, a time of liberation and restoration, hinting that God's victory was about more than just military might; it was an act of divine restoration and a foreshadowing of greater freedom.
Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, the Israelites face their first major obstacle: the heavily fortified city of Jericho. God gives Joshua very specific, and seemingly strange, instructions for how the city will be conquered. Instead of a conventional military assault, the Israelites are to march around the city for seven days, with priests blowing trumpets, culminating in a mighty shout on the seventh day. This ritual, deeply symbolic and focused on God's power rather than human might, is the method ordained for Jericho's downfall.
Why did God specify the type of trumpets used to bring down Jericho's walls?
The trumpets used at Jericho were not the standard silver trumpets for military signals, but instruments called 'jubilee trumpets' or 'trumpets of soundings.' These were likely curved horns, possibly made from ram's horns.
A Sound of Release
These instruments were specifically associated with significant moments of release and divine proclamation, like the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:9). Their use here wasn't just for noise; it symbolized God's powerful voice announcing a new era – the conquest of Canaan and the establishment of His people in the land.
Not Just Human Effort
The sound of these trumpets, especially when contrasted with the silence commanded on the other days, served to underscore that this victory was entirely God's doing. It wasn't about Israel's military might, but about obeying God's unique instructions.
Seven priests, seven trumpets, seven days, seven circuits… why so many sevens?
The repetition of the number seven in the instructions for Jericho's fall is profoundly significant. In the ancient Near East, and especially in Hebrew thought, the number seven symbolized completeness, perfection, and divine fulfillment.
Completeness and Sanctity
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God's Perfect Plan
This repeated emphasis on seven wasn't accidental. It was a divine signature on the entire operation, assuring Israel that this conquest was not a matter of chance or human strategy, but a perfectly orchestrated act of God. It signaled that His plan was unfolding completely, bringing about His promised work.
Why was the Ark of the Covenant central to this seemingly bizarre battle plan?
The Ark of the Covenant was no mere ceremonial object; it was the tangible symbol of God's presence with His people. Its placement and movement were crucial in the strategy for Jericho.
God Marches With Them
The priests carrying the trumpets marched before the Ark, and the Ark of the Covenant followed them. This wasn't a human-led military operation; it was God Himself, represented by the Ark, leading the charge. The procession was a powerful visual declaration that Israel’s strength and victory came not from their own might, but from the Almighty going with them.
A Symbol of Divine Authority
Carrying the Ark into battle demonstrated that the conquest was undertaken under God's direct authority and command. It served as a constant reminder to both the Israelites and the Canaanites that this was a holy war, a divine mandate being executed, and that the walls of Jericho would fall not by siege engines, but by the power of the God of Israel.
Understand the original words
aron · Hebrew Noun
A portable, sacred chest representing the presence and throne of God among His people. It contained the tablets of the Law and served as a focal point for Israel's worship and military campaigns.
shophar · Hebrew Noun
A wind instrument used in ancient Israel for religious and military purposes. They were used to signal the beginning of religious festivals, announce the presence of God, or sound alarms and commands during warfare.
The detailed, ritualistic instructions for conquering Jericho, including the use of 'jubilee trumpets' and the number seven, highlight that this was not a military campaign, but a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and a foundational lesson for Israel about His power and their obedience.
c. 1405 BC
Israelites Cross the Jordan River
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, miraculously cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land, a pivotal moment marking the beginning of their conquest.
c. 1405 BC— this verse
The Battle Plan for Jericho
God gives Joshua specific, unusual instructions for conquering Jericho, emphasizing divine power over military might.
c. 1405 BC
The Walls of Jericho Fall
Following God's instructions, the Israelites march around Jericho for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls miraculously collapse, leading to the city's destruction.
c. 1405 BC
Destruction of Jericho
The city of Jericho and its inhabitants are utterly destroyed, with the exception of Rahab and her household, serving as a stark warning to the Canaanites.
c. 1405 BC
Joshua's Warning Against Plunder
Joshua strictly forbids the Israelites from taking any spoils from Jericho, as the city and its possessions are declared devoted to God.
This passage describes the blowing of the ram's horn trumpet, which is the same type of instrument used in Joshua 6:4, to announce the Jubilee year, highlighting the sacred and celebratory nature of the sound.
Numbers 10:1-10These verses detail the use of silver trumpets for signaling and gathering the Israelite community, providing a contrast to the ram's horn trumpets used in Joshua, which were associated with divine instruction and miraculous victory rather than mere military signaling.
Hebrews 11:30This New Testament passage directly references the fall of Jericho, attributing it to faith and the actions described in Joshua, reinforcing the miraculous and faith-based nature of the event.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4This passage draws parallels between the miraculous provisions for Israel in the wilderness, including the crossing of the Jordan and the fall of Jericho, and the spiritual sustenance provided by Christ, showing how these Old Testament events foreshadowed Christ's work.
cambridgeJoshua 6:4: "And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets."
4 . trumpets of rams’ horns ] Rather, trumpets of soundings, or, of jubilee; “seuen trompes, vhose use is in the jubile.” Not the long straight trumpets generally used, but the same kind that were to be employed on the first day of the seventh month ( Leviticus 23:24 ), and to announce the year of Jubile…
gillJoshua 6:4: "And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets."
And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns,.... The ark was to be taken up and carried by priests round the city. Ben Gersom observes, that this was to direct the Israelites to keep and do according to all that was written in it; that is, in the law, which was contained in…
What’s easy to miss is that the trumpets were not just any trumpets, but specifically "jubilee trumpets" (sometimes translated as rams' horns). This detail connects the conquest of Jericho to themes of jubilee, a time of liberation and restoration, hinting that God's victory was about more than just military might; it was an act of divine restoration and a foreshadowing of greater freedom.
After the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, the Israelites face their first major obstacle: the heavily fortified city of Jericho. God gives Joshua very specific, and seemingly strange, instructions for how the city will be conquered. Instead of a conventional military assault, the Israelites are to march around the city for seven days, with priests blowing trumpets, culminating in a mighty shout on the seventh day. This ritual, deeply symbolic and focused on God's power rather than human might, is the method ordained for Jericho's downfall.
After the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River, the Israelites face their first major obstacle: the heavily fortified city of Jericho. God gives Joshua very specific, and seemingly strange, instructions for how the city will be conquered. Instead of a conventional military assault, the Israelites are to march around the city for seven days, with priests blowing trumpets, culminating in a mighty shout on the seventh day. This ritual, deeply symbolic and focused on God's power rather than human might, is the method ordained for Jericho's downfall.
"Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets." — What’s easy to miss is that the trumpets were not just any trumpets, but specifically "jubilee trumpets" (sometimes translated as rams' horns). This detail connects the conquest of Jericho to themes…
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Last reviewed October 2026