Joshua 6:15

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י׀
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#3
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י
And it came to pass on the seventh
seventh
#4
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֙מוּ֙
that they rose early
literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning
#5
כַּֽעֲל֣וֹת
about the dawning
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#6
הַשַּׁ֔חַר
of the day
dawn (literal, figurative or adverbial)
#7
סָֽבְב֥וּ
and compassed
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
הָעִ֖יר
the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#10
כַּמִּשְׁפָּ֥ט
after the same manner
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
#11
הַזֶּ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#12
שֶׁ֥בַע
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#13
פְּעָמִֽים׃
times
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
#14
רַ֚ק
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
#15
בַּיּ֣וֹם
day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#16
הַה֔וּא
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
#17
סָֽבְב֥וּ
and compassed
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
#18
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#19
הָעִ֖יר
the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#20
שֶׁ֥בַע
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#21
פְּעָמִֽים׃
times
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Joshua Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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