John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And the Lord said unto Joshua , etc.] The same divine Person called in the preceding chapter the Captain of the Lord’s host, ( Joshua 5:14), now with him, and who gave him the following orders, instructions, and assurances: see, I have given into thy hand Jericho, and the king thereof : which might be concluded from the fear that was fallen upon the inhabitants of the city and their king, and from their shutting themselves up so closely, not daring to come out against Israel: and especially from this declaration and promise of the Lord; and which should be done in such a manner, as that it would clearly appear to be of the Lord, and not men: [and] the mighty men of valour ; the military men, the soldiers, or army that were under the command of the king of Jericho; or, as Kimchi reads it, “though” mighty men, yet they should not be able to defend the city, or hinder its falling into their hands; for what were they to the mighty God of Israel?
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Jericho resolves Israel shall not be its master. It shut itself up being strongly fortified both by art and nature. Thus were the foolish, and their hearts hardened to their destruction; the miserabl case of all that strengthen themselves against the Almighty. God resolves Israel shall be its master, and that quickly. No warlik preparations were to be made. By the uncommon method of besieging the city, the Lord honoured the ark, as the symbol of his presence, an showed that all the victories were from him. The faith and patience of the people were proved and increased.
Original Hebrew ויאמר559 יהוה3068 אל413 יהושׁע3091 ראה7200 נתתי5414 בידך3027 את853 יריחו3405 ואת853 מלכה4428 גבורי1368 החיל׃2428
