SEV Biblia, Chapter 5:13
¶ Y estando Josué cerca de Jericó, alzó sus ojos, y vio un varón que estaba delante de él, el cual tenía una espada desnuda en su mano. Y Josué yéndose hacia él, le dijo: ¿Eres de los nuestros, o de nuestros enemigos?
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 5:13
Verse 13. When Joshua was by Jericho] The sixth chapter should have commenced here, as this is an entirely new relation; or these two chapters should have made but one, as the present division has most unnaturally divided the communication which Joshua had from the angel of the Lord, and which is continued to Joshua vi. 5. It is very likely that Joshua had gone out privately to reconnoitre the city of Jericho when he had this vision; and while contemplating the strength of the place, and probably reflecting on the extreme difficulty of reducing it, God, to encourage him, granted him this vision, and instructed him in the means by which the city should be taken. There stood a man over against him] It has been a very general opinion, both among the ancients and moderns, that the person mentioned here was no other than the Lord Jesus in that form which, in the fullness of time, he was actually to assume for the redemption of man. That the appearance was supernatural is agreed on all hands; and as the name Jehovah is given him, (chap. vi. 2,) and he received from Joshua Divine adoration, we may presume that no created angel is intended.
And Joshua went unto him] This is a very natural relation, and carries with it all the appearances and characteristics of a simple relation of fact.
The whole history of Joshua shows him to have been a man of the most undaunted mind and intrepid courage-a genuine HERO. An ordinary person, seeing this man armed, with a drawn sword in his hand, would have endeavoured to have regained the camp, and sought safety in flight; but Joshua, undismayed though probably slightly armed, walks up to this terrible person and immediately questions him, Art thou for us or for our adversaries? probably at first supposing that he might be the Canaanitish general coming to reconnoitre the Israelitish camp, as himself was come out to examine the city of Jericho.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 13. And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho , etc.] Or “in Jericho” f79 ; not in the city itself, but in the border of it, as Kimchi and Ben Melech; or on the side of it, as Jarchi; on one side of which he was reconnoitring by himself, very probably seeking for a proper place where to make his first attack; or if he could find out some avenue to the city, whereby he could enter more easily; or it may be he was meditating a scheme how to subdue the city; and it is very likely praying to God that he would direct him, and succeed him. Ben Gersom interprets it, his thoughts were in Jericho; and both he, and Abarbinel, suppose, that what follows was in a vision of prophecy, that it seemed to him that he was in Jericho, and saw a person, as after described, and was only a dream or night vision; but, no doubt, whether this was in the day or in the night, which is not certain, it was a real sight that Joshua had, or one really appeared to him as a man, as after related: that he lifted up his eyes, and looked ; his eyes before looked downwards, as the eyes of a person in deep study and meditation usually do: and, behold, there stood a man over against him ; not a mere man, nor a created angel in an human form, but a divine Person in such a form, even the Son of God, who frequently appeared in this manner to the patriarchs; as is clear from the worship paid unto him by Joshua, by his calling him Lord, and owning himself to be his servant; and by the ground on which he stood, being holy through his presence, as well as by his title, the Captain of the Lord’s host. Jarchi says, this is Michael, which, if understood of Michael the uncreated angel, the head of all principality and power, is right, who is always meant by Michael, whenever he is spoken of in Scripture; and so this is interpreted by the ancient Jews of the Angel the Redeemer: with his sword drawn in his hand ; who sometimes is said to have a twoedged one come out of his mouth, and sometimes one girt on his thigh, and here with one drawn out of the scabbard, to justify the war with the Canaanites, and to encourage Joshua to proceed in it. His sword has been drawn against his enemies, and those of his people from the beginning, ever since the fall of man, when enmity commenced between him and the seed of the serpent; it appeared drawn when here on earth combating with all our spiritual enemies, and will never be put up until all enemies are put under his feet: and Joshua went unto him ; which showed great courage, presence of mind, and magnanimity: and said unto him, [art] thou for us, or for our adversaries ? by his appearing in this warlike posture, he concluded it was to take on one side or the other, either on the side of Israel, or of the Canaanites; and he seemed to suspect that it was on the side of the latter, and that he was one that was come to defy the armies of Israel, as Goliath afterwards did, ( Samuel 17:8); and to engage in a single combat with Joshua their general, and so decide the war; in which, had this been the case, Joshua was ready to fight with him.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 13-15 - We read not of any appearance of God's glory to Joshua till now. Ther appeared to him one as a man to be noticed. This Man was the Son of God, the eternal Word. Joshua gave him Divine honours: he receive them, which a created angel would not have done, and he is calle Jehovah, chap. 6:2. To Abraham he appeared as a traveller; to Joshua a a man of war. Christ will be to his people what their faith needs Christ had his sword drawn, which encouraged Joshua to carry on the way with vigour. Christ's sword drawn in his hand, denotes how ready he is for the defence and salvation of his people. His sword turns every way Joshua will know whether he is a friend or a foe. The cause between the Israelites and Canaanites, between Christ and Beelzebub, will not admi of any man's refusing to take one part or the other, as he may do in worldly contests. Joshua's inquiry shows an earnest desire to know the will of Christ, and a cheerful readiness and resolution to do it. All true Christians must fight under Christ's banner, and they will conque by his presence and assistance __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
ויהי 1961 בהיות 1961 יהושׁע 3091 ביריחו 3405 וישׂא 5375 עיניו 5869 וירא 7200 והנה 2009 אישׁ 376 עמד 5975 לנגדו 5048 וחרבו 2719 שׁלופה 8025 בידו 3027 וילך 1980 יהושׁע 3091 אליו 413 ויאמר 559 לו הלנו אתה 859 אם 518 לצרינו׃ 6862
