ToC | Reading the Old Testament. . . Chapter 6. Joshua | ToC

     1. Commander of Yahweh's Army

In a curious encounter between Joshua and a supernatural being prior to the battle for Jericho, Joshua's understanding of Yahweh's role in the conquest became clear.

13 When Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and was surprised to see a man standing right in front of him. His sword was unsheathed in his hand. Joshua walked up to him and said to him, "Are you on our side or are you against us?" 14 He said to him, "Neither. I am the commander of the army of YHWH. Now I have come." Joshua fell face down on the ground and did obeisance. He said to him, "What does my Lord have to say to your servant?" 15 The commander of YHWH's army said, "Take off your sandal from your foot, for the place on which you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so. (5:13-15)

    On first meeting this "man" Joshua thought he was just another soldier. He innocently asked him if he would be joining the Israelite cause, or was he on the Canaanite side? When his identity as a representative of Yahweh became clear, Joshua immediately humbled himself by falling spread-eagle to the ground. This "commander" is probably to be identified with the "angel of YHWH," who appears elsewhere in the Hebrew Bible, most notably in the ancestors' encounters with God. As commander he was in charge of leading the conquest of the army of Yahweh, elsewhere called "the host of heaven."
    The meaning of this story is elusive and questions remain because the account is so sketchy. One possible interpretation is that this encounter would teach Joshua who was fighting for whom. This meeting clarified that Yahweh does not fight for Joshua, as if Yahweh was at Joshua's command. Yahweh's army retains its independence, with Joshua fighting for Yahweh.
    The command to take off his sandals is similar to that in Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush (see Exodus 3). This experience of Joshua paralleling that of Moses further reinforces the legitimate succession of Joshua.
    The statement that "this is holy ground" originally marked the site of this encounter as a holy place. Used now within the context of the Israelite movement into Canaan, it confirms that this was the "holy land," perhaps implying that Yahweh dwells here.
    Cryptic though this story is, it is of signal importance, much as the other events at Gilgal were. Such a meeting with God's representative, a theophany, indicates that Yahweh is now present and accessible in the Promised Land. The fight for the holy land can now begin. The first battle is over Jericho.
ToC | Reading the Old Testament. . . Chapter 6. Joshua | ToC