Joshua Chapter 6 · Verse 2
And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 13
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רְאֵה֙
See
H7200
רְאֵה֙
See
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 13
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
נָתַ֣תִּי
I have given
H5414
נָתַ֣תִּי
I have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 13
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְיָֽדְךָ֔
into thine hand
H3027
בְיָֽדְךָ֔
into thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
7 of 13
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 7:24And he shall deliver their kings into thine hand, and thou shalt destroy their name from under heaven: there shall no man be able to stand before thee, until thou have destroyed them.Joshua 8:1And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:Joshua 2:24And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.Joshua 2:9And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.Nehemiah 9:24So the children went in and possessed the land, and thou subduedst before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gavest them into their hands, with their kings, and the people of the land, that they might do with them as they would.
Historical Context
Jericho was Canaan's gateway city, heavily fortified with double walls. Its conquest established Israel's presence in Canaan and demoralized other cities. The famous archaeological debate about Jericho's walls centers on dating—some evidence suggests destruction around 1400 BC (matching early Exodus date), while other evidence points to earlier destruction. Regardless, the biblical testimony presents miraculous collapse attributable to God, not human siege tactics. This established the pattern: God fights for Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's past-tense promise ('I have given') affect your faith for current challenges?
- What seemingly impregnable 'Jerichos' face you that require trusting God's comprehensive victory promise?
Analysis & Commentary
God's declaration—'See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour'—uses past tense ('I have given') for future conquest. From divine perspective, victory is already accomplished; Israel simply receives what God provides. This grammatical choice teaches faith to claim promises before seeing fulfillment. The comprehensive gift includes city, king, and warriors—nothing excluded from divine grant. Such comprehensive promises demand equally comprehensive faith.