Joshua 5:15 Meaning and Explanation
“And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The captain tells Joshua to remove his sandals, for the ground is holy, and Joshua obeys.
What Does Joshua 5:15 Mean?
The captain's first command is not about strategy but about reverence: take off your sandals, for this ground is holy. Joshua, who has just bowed in worship, does as he is told. The words echo what Moses heard at the burning bush, marking Joshua as the leader who now stands in that holy succession.
Holiness comes from the presence that fills the place, not from the place itself. Before Joshua is given any plan for Jericho, he is taught to stand barefoot before the Holy One. The work of God is approached on His terms, in awe, and the first step of every great undertaking is to recognize whose presence we are in.
Joshua 5:15 in the Original Language
qodesh (קֹדֶשׁ), 'holy' -- set apart, belonging wholly to God.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 5:15
What does Joshua 5:15 mean?
The captain tells Joshua to remove his sandals, for the ground is holy, and Joshua obeys.