Joshua 5:13-15

The Commander of the Lord's Army

13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, ¹a man was standing before him ²with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, "Are you for us, or for our adversaries?"

14 And he said, "No; but I am the commander of the army of the LORD. Now I have come." And Joshua ³fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, "What does my lord say to his servant?"

15 And the commander of the LORD's army said to Joshua, ⁴"Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.

Joshua 5:13-15 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 5

The Canaanites being dispirited on the passage of the children of Israel through Jordan, Jos 5:1; Joshua is ordered to circumcise such of the people of Israel that were uncircumcised, Jos 5:2-9; in order to their eating of the passover, which was now to be kept, Jos 5:10; and they being now provided with corn sufficient, the manna ceased, Jos 5:11,12; and there appeared to Joshua a divine Person, in an human form, to encourage and direct him what to do in the conquest of the land, and particularly Jericho, Jos 5:13-15.

Cross References

• 1. Genesis 18:2; Genesis 32:24; Acts 1:10; [Exodus 23:20, 23]
• 2. Numbers 22:23, 31
• 3. Genesis 17:3
• 4. Exodus 3:5; Acts 7:33