Old Testament
Joshua 6:20
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The people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. As soon as they heard the trumpet sound and shouted loudly, the wall fell down flat. Each man went straight into the city, and they captured it.
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So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
What Joshua 6:20 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, the Israelites follow God's instructions by shouting and blowing trumpets as they approach Jericho. Their loud shout, combined with the sound of the trumpets, signifies their faith and obedience. Miraculously, the walls of Jericho collapse, allowing the Israelites to enter the city and capture it. This event demonstrates the power of faith and obedience to God's commands, showing that victory can come through seemingly unconventional means. The act of shouting and the sound of the trumpets symbolize the unity and determination of the people as they trust in God's promise to deliver the city into their hands. The fall of the walls is a pivotal moment in their conquest of Canaan, illustrating that with God, nothing is impossible, and that faith can lead to miraculous outcomes.
How to apply Joshua 6:20 to your life
This verse encourages us to trust in God's plans, even when they seem unconventional. It reminds us that our faith and obedience can lead to breakthroughs in our lives. We should be willing to act on God's guidance, knowing that He can achieve great things through us.
Curated for this public verse page. Joshua Summary
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Illustrated scene from Joshua's story: The Walls of Jericho (Joshua 6:1–27)
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Joshua
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. Resized for the web.
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Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
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At a Glance — the Book of Joshua
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Joshua and later compilers
- Written
- Around 1400-1370 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites entering Canaan
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Joshua 6:20 mean?
Joshua 6:20 describes how the Israelites, following God's instructions, shouted and blew trumpets, leading to the miraculous collapse of Jericho's walls. This event symbolizes their faith and obedience, demonstrating that God can deliver victory through unconventional means.
What is the significance of the trumpets in Joshua 6:20?
The trumpets in Joshua 6:20 represent the Israelites' obedience to God's command and their collective faith. The sound of the trumpets, combined with their loud shout, signifies their unity and determination as they trust in God's promise.
How does Joshua 6:20 illustrate faith?
Joshua 6:20 illustrates faith by showing that the Israelites believed in God's promise and acted on it, even when the method of shouting and blowing trumpets seemed unconventional. Their faith led to a miraculous outcome.
What lesson can we learn from Joshua 6:20?
From Joshua 6:20, we learn the importance of trusting in God's plans and being obedient, even when the actions required seem unusual. It teaches that faith can lead to significant breakthroughs in our lives.
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