This verse is strictly parenthetical. It is inserted to explain the declaration begun (Joshua 5:14), and interrupted by Joshua’s questi…

Now Jericho ... —This verse should be read parenthetically, and Joshua 6:2-5 should be taken as the orders given to Joshu…

Now Jericho was straitly shut up, etc. Jericho is said to be shut up because its gates were not opened: in wartime, cities are guarded wit…

Now Jericho was straitly shut up, because of the children of
Israel
Or "it shut up", or "was shutting, an…

Jericho resolved that Israel would not be its master. It shut itself up, being strongly fortified by both human skill and natural defenses. Thus, t…