Joshua 5:13

The Commander of the LORD’s Army · Joshua 5:13–15
Read Joshua 5

Translations

Modern
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?”
Traditional
And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
Literal
And it came to pass, in Joshua being by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand, and Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our enemies?”
Latin
Cum autem esset Josue in agro urbis Jericho, levavit oculos, et vidit virum stantem contra se, evaginatum tenentem gladium: perrexitque ad eum, et ait: Noster es, an adversariorum?

Original

Hebrew
English
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?”

Notes

Joshua was scouting the land and the city’s defenses near the town of Jericho to follow up on the report of the two spies (2:23–24). Joshua showed personal courage when he went toward the unknown man, who was holding a sword in his hand.

The commander of the LORD’s army gave Joshua instructions for the attack of Jericho (6:2–5). Like God's earlier message to Joshua, this meeting intended to encourage Joshua before confronting the enemy (1:1–9).

Events

People

Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan

Places

Jericho: An ancient city in Canaan, famously conquered by Israel

Glossary

Angel of the Lord Conquest and Allotment of the Land Gilgal Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Rahab (Person) Tribe of Dan

Topics

Jericho: Joshua Sees the |Captain of the Host| of the Lord Near Sword: Symbolical The Jews: Strengthened by God in War Vision of Joshua of the Captain of the Lord's Army