Rashi on TanakhJoshua 6

Rashi

Read Joshua 6 in the Bible

Joshua 6:1

Shut and barred. [Lit. closed and closed] Targum translates: ‘Closed with iron gates and reinforced with bars of copper.’

Joshua 6:4

Rams’ horns the horns of rams.

Joshua 6:5

A long blast. When the final blast is sounded, and the blower extends the sound.
In its very place [Lit. under itself] In its place.

Joshua 6:9

And the warriors. These were the men of the tribes of Reuvein and Gad who went before them, because the men of Gad were mighty warriors and they would smite with a strong arm, as it is said, ‘And he rips off the shoulder and the head.’1Devorim 33:20.

Joshua 6:13

The rearmost. This refers to the tribe of Dan that traveled last and gathered all those who lagged behind.

Joshua 6:15

On the seventh day. This was on the Shabbos.2They were permitted to wage war and to kill on Shabbos by the Divine command, that instructed them to lay siege to the city according to the word of God, as told to Yehoshua. See verses 2-5, this chapter.

Joshua 6:17

And the city shall be consecrated. It shall be sacred, for that day was the holy Shabbos,3See Rashi to verse 15. Radak maintains that Yehoshua issued this edict by Divine ordination, but also mentions that the Sages were of the opinon that Yehoshua issued this edict on his own. and it was therefore fitting that all the booty that was taken be holy.

Joshua 6:18

And bring disturbance. This is an expression of disturbed waters.

Joshua 6:23

And the lads who were the spies went in.4In verse 22 they are referred to as men. In verse 17 they are referred to as מַלְאָכִים (Lit angels) and here they are referred to as lads. Rashi seeks to explain why they were described in these terms. This mission required speed, thus they performed like speedy lads. However on the first night5This refers to the night they arrived at the house of Rochov at the beginning of their mission. they were like angels, guarding themselves from sinning with Rochov, the harlot, therefore they were referred to as angels. Therefore they were referred to as men, as angels and as lads.

Joshua 6:26

[The death of] his first born etc. [the death of] his youngest son etc. When he begins laying the foundation upon which he is building it [the city], his first born son will die and he will bury him, and he will continue doing so6He will continue burning his sons. until the youngest son dies at the completion of the work which is the setting of its portals.

Rashi on Tanakh — Rashi. Metsudah Publications / Judaica Press · CC BY