Joshua 6:10 Meaning and Explanation
“And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Joshua orders complete silence from the people until the appointed day, when at his word they will finally shout.
What Does Joshua 6:10 Mean?
Joshua adds one more command, and it concerns the tongue. For six days the people must keep utter silence -- no shout, no noise, not a word -- until the day Joshua himself gives the signal. The marching is loud with trumpets, but the people themselves move without a sound.
This disciplined silence is its own act of faith. It would be easy to mutter doubts during six days of seemingly pointless circuits, or to cry out too soon in eagerness. Instead the people are asked to hold their voices and wait for God's appointed moment. There is power in restraint that trusts the Lord's timing rather than rushing ahead of it. The shout, when it finally comes, will mean all the more because it has been held back in obedience until exactly the right hour.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 6:10
What does Joshua 6:10 mean?
Joshua orders complete silence from the people until the appointed day, when at his word they will finally shout.