Joshua 5:13

Context

Israel Conquers Jericho

5:13 When Joshua was near¹ Jericho,² he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him holding a drawn sword.³ Joshua approached him and asked him, “Are you on our side or allied with our enemies?”⁴

[5:13] ¹tn Heb “in.”

[5:13] ²map For location see Map5 B2; Map6 E1; Map7 E1; Map8 E3; Map10 A2; Map11 A1.

[5:13] ³tn Heb “he lifted up his eyes and looked. And look, a man was standing in front of him, and his sword was drawn in his hand.” The verb הִנֵּה (hinneh, “look”) invites the reader to view the scene through Joshua’s eyes. By calling the stranger “a man,” the author reflects Joshua’s perspective. The text shortly reveals his true identity (vv. 14-15).

[5:13] ⁴tn Heb “Are you for us or for our enemies?”