Who is the "man" with the drawn sword that Joshua meets near Jericho?

The passage says Joshua sees a man standing in front of him with a sword already drawn. At first Joshua does not know who he is and asks if he is for Israel or for their enemies. The man answers that he is the Captain of the Lord’s host. Joshua then falls on his face, worships him, and calls him “my Lord.” The figure accepts this worship and declares the place holy. Because of this, many understand this “man” to be a divine person, a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ who is leading God’s people.

What does it mean that He is the "captain of the host of the LORD"?

When the figure calls Himself the Captain of the host of the Lord, He is saying He is the true commander of God’s armies. That includes the people of Israel, often called the Lord’s host, and the unseen heavenly armies that serve God. Joshua is the human leader, but this Captain is the real General over everything. His drawn sword shows He is ready to fight for God’s people. This reminds Joshua that the coming battle is God’s battle, led by God’s own appointed Captain, and that victory will come under His orders rather than human strength or plans.

Why does Joshua fall on his face to the earth and worship?

Once Joshua hears that this is the Captain of the Lord’s host, he understands he is standing before someone far greater than a normal soldier or messenger. He falls on his face to the ground and worships, and he calls himself “your servant.” This shows he recognizes a divine presence, not just a created angel or human leader. Instead of acting like a rival general, Joshua humbly takes the place of a servant under orders. His posture of worship and submission shows deep respect, fear of God, and a ready heart to obey whatever this Captain will say about the coming battle.

Why is Joshua told to remove his shoe because the place is holy?

The Captain of the Lord’s host tells Joshua, “Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy.” Taking off the sandal is a sign of respect and humility, similar to uncovering the head in some cultures. The ground itself was not special by itself, but it became holy because God was present there. This is very similar to what happened to Moses at the burning bush. By asking Joshua to remove his shoe, God is teaching him to approach His presence with reverence and fear, and confirming that He will be with Joshua just as He was with Moses.

What was happening in Israel’s story when Joshua had this encounter?

This meeting takes place right after Israel has crossed the Jordan and celebrated circumcision and the Passover in the new land. Jericho, a strong and well-defended city, stands right in front of them as the first obstacle. Joshua is near Jericho, likely thinking, planning, and praying about how to take the city. It is at this key moment, before any attack begins, that God appears as the Captain of the Lord’s host. The timing shows that as Israel faces a hard battle, God Himself comes to lead, guide, and reassure Joshua that the coming fight belongs to the Lord.

What does this passage teach about God's role in Israel’s battles?

This passage shows that Israel’s battles are not just human struggles but are led and owned by God. Joshua is not left to figure everything out alone. The Captain of the Lord’s host appears with a drawn sword, showing that God is ready to act. He does not say, “I am on your side,” but simply presents Himself as God’s Captain, reminding Joshua that the real question is whether Joshua and Israel are on God’s side. Victory will not come from Israel’s strength but from God’s presence, commands, and power working through their obedience.

Why does the Captain answer "Nay" when Joshua asks if He is for them or their enemies?

Joshua wants to know, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” The answer is, “Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come.” This shows that God does not simply join human sides as if He were just another ally. Instead, He comes as Lord and Captain in His own right. The main issue is not whether God will fit into Joshua’s plans, but whether Joshua will submit to God’s rule and plans. It reminds us that God’s cause is the deciding factor, and His people must align themselves with Him, rather than trying to pull Him into their own purposes.

What does Joshua’s question "What saith my lord unto his servant?" show about him?

When Joshua says, “What saith my lord unto his servant?” he shows that he is ready to listen and obey. He does not argue or bring his own ideas. He takes the place of a servant and asks for direction. This fits with the way he has already fallen on his face and worshiped. He knows that the Captain of the Lord’s host is his superior and that the battle ahead must be led by God. His words show a willing, teachable heart that looks first for God’s command before acting.

Why do some people see this as a difficult or unusual passage?

This passage can seem difficult because it describes a figure who looks like a man, carries a sword, yet receives worship and declares the ground holy. Faithful readers have seen this differently. Many understand this to be a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ, because He accepts worship and speaks with divine authority. Others think of a very high angelic messenger who represents God so closely that His presence marks the place as holy. What is clear from the text is that Joshua treats Him as Lord, submits to Him, and learns that God Himself is leading the coming battle.

How can this encounter help believers think about their own struggles today?

This passage shows that God is not distant when His people face hard battles. Joshua meets God’s Captain right at the edge of Jericho, when the task ahead looks strong and threatening. The key lessons here are humility, worship, and obedience. Joshua learns that God is the true leader and that he must bow before he can fight. For believers today, this encourages a similar posture: instead of resting only on human plans or strength, come to God with reverence, ask what He says, and trust that He is present and in charge in every struggle.

Josh.5.13

Joshua 5:13

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

The Commander of the LORD’s Army

¶ And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

And the captain of the Lord’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

Cross References

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