Keraia
Joshua 5

Joshua 5:14

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

Modern
“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?”
Traditional
And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
Literal
And He said, “Neither, for I, Commander of the army of YHWH, have now come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped, and said to Him, “What does my Lord say to His servant?”
Latin
Qui respondit: Nequaquam: sed sum princeps exercitus Domini, et nunc venio. Cecidit Josue pronus in terram, et adorans ait: Quid dominus meus loquitur ad servum suum?

Original

Hebrew
English
“Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as Commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?”

Notes

Joshua 5:14

  • When Joshua realized who was standing before him, he fell facedown in reverence. This action showed that Joshua was ready to serve God fully and without reservation.

  • Scholars disagree about who this commander was. Some think he was an appearance of God, others think he was Christ before becoming human, and others think he was an angel. The commander called himself the leader of the Lord’s army, which may suggest that he was an angel. However, he did not stop Joshua from worshiping him, as angels usually do (for example, Revelation 22:8–9; compare Acts 10:25–26).

Joshua 5:13–15

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Angel (A Spirit): A Celestial Spirit: Hosts Captain: Angel of the Lord, Called Jericho: Joshua Sees the |Captain of the Host| of the Lord Near Jesus, the Christ: Names, Appellations, and Titles of: Captain of the Lord's Host (Army) Jesus, the Christ: Worship of Prayer: Postures in Falling on the Face The Jews: Strengthened by God in War Titles and Names of Christ: Captain of the Lord's Hosts Vision of Joshua of the Captain of the Lord's Army