The Meaning of Joshua 6:3 Explained

Joshua 6:3

KJV: And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

YLT: and ye have compassed the city -- all the men of battle -- going round the city once; thus thou dost six days;

Darby: And ye shall go round the city, all the men of war, encompassing the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

ASV: And ye shall compass the city, all the men of war, going about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And ye shall compass  the city,  all [ye] men  of war,  [and] go round about  the city  once.  Thus shalt thou do  six  days. 

What does Joshua 6:3 Mean?

Context Summary

Joshua 6:1-11 - The Commander And His Plan Of Campaign
When the heart is perfect with God we may count on His presence and help. It is to the separated and obedient servant that the vision of Christ, as Ally and Captain, is given. Here were three hosts marshaled by Jericho-of the Canaanites, of Israel, and of the heavenly armies, waiting to war against the evil spirits which ruled the darkness of the land, Ephesians 6:12.
The answer to Joshua's question depended on whether Israel was prepared to accept God's plan of campaign, which was very humbling to the flesh. "The Lord is with us, if we are with Him," Joshua 7:11-12; 2 Chronicles 15:2. As Jericho was the key to Canaan, and its fall was to be the earnest of complete victory, the program was carefully planned to give God His rightful position. From first to last its capture was the result of the interposition of Him who dwelled in the bush. Therefore, the Ark was borne around the city, as the symbol of His presence, Numbers 10:35. [source]

Chapter Summary: Joshua 6

1  Jericho is shut up
2  God instructs Joshua how to beseige it
12  The city is composed
17  It is accursed
20  The walls fall down
22  Rahab is saved
26  The builder of Jericho is cursed

What do the individual words in Joshua 6:3 mean?

And You shall march around - the city all [you] men of war you shall go all around the city time one This you shall do six days
וְסַבֹּתֶ֣ם אֶת־ הָעִ֗יר כֹּ֚ל אַנְשֵׁ֣י הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה הַקֵּ֥יף הָעִ֖יר פַּ֣עַם אֶחָ֑ת כֹּ֥ה תַעֲשֶׂ֖ה שֵׁ֥שֶׁת יָמִֽים

וְסַבֹּתֶ֣ם  And  You  shall  march  around 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: סָבַב  
Sense: to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or arou nd, surround, encircle, change direction.
אֶת־  - 
Parse: Direct object marker
Root: אֹות 
Sense: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative.
הָעִ֗יר  the  city 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
אַנְשֵׁ֣י  [you]  men 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה  of  war 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מִלְחָמָה  
Sense: battle, war.
הַקֵּ֥יף  you  shall  go  all  around 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Infinitive absolute
Root: נָקַף 
Sense: to strike, strike off.
הָעִ֖יר  the  city 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
פַּ֣עַם  time 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: פַּעַם  
Sense: stroke, beat, foot, step, anvil, occurrence.
אֶחָ֑ת  one 
Parse: Number, feminine singular
Root: אֶחָד  
Sense: one (number).
כֹּ֥ה  This 
Parse: Adverb
Root: כֹּה  
Sense: thus, here, in this manner.
תַעֲשֶׂ֖ה  you  shall  do 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָשָׂה 
Sense: to do, fashion, accomplish, make.
שֵׁ֥שֶׁת  six 
Parse: Number, masculine singular construct
Root: שֵׁשׁ  
Sense: six.
יָמִֽים  days 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: יׄום 
Sense: day, time, year.