Joshua 5:14 Meaning and Explanation
“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?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The figure declares himself captain of the LORD's host, and Joshua falls down in worship to receive his command.
What Does Joshua 5:14 Mean?
The man refuses both options Joshua offered: he has not come to take a side but to take command, as captain of the LORD's host. Hearing this, Joshua falls to the ground in worship and asks what his lord would say to his servant.
Joshua's response is the right one before such a presence: he stops asking whose ally this is and submits as a servant awaiting orders. The armies of heaven are real and led, and the conquest of Jericho belongs to their Commander. To worship and to ask 'What saith my lord?' is where every faithful work begins.
Joshua 5:14 in the Original Language
tsava (צָבָא), 'host' -- an army; the LORD commands the unseen armies of heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 5:14
What does Joshua 5:14 mean?
The figure declares himself captain of the LORD's host, and Joshua falls down in worship to receive his command.