Joshua 6:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שֶׁ֣בַע
H7651
And seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#2
וְהַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
H3548
and the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#3
יִשְׂאוּ֩
H5375
shall bear
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
#4
שֶׁ֣בַע
H7651
And seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#5
בַּשּֽׁוֹפָרֽוֹת׃
H7782
trumpets
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
#6
הַיּֽוֹבְלִים֙
H3104
of rams' horns
the blast of a horn (from its continuous sound); specifically, the signal of the silver trumpets; hence, the instrument itself and the festival thus i
#7
לִפְנֵ֣י
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#8
הָֽאָר֔וֹן
H727
the ark
a box
#9
וּבַיּוֹם֙
H3117
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
#10
הַשְּׁבִיעִ֔י
H7637
and the seventh
seventh
#11
תָּסֹ֥בּוּ
H5437
ye shall compass
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
#12
אֶת
H853
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#13
הָעִ֖יר
H5892
the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#14
שֶׁ֣בַע
H7651
And seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#15
פְּעָמִ֑ים
H6471
times
a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow)
#16
וְהַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים
H3548
and the priests
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
#17
יִתְקְע֖וּ
H8628
shall blow
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
#18
בַּשּֽׁוֹפָרֽוֹת׃
H7782
trumpets
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn

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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