Who is the "commander of the LORD's army" in Joshua 5:14? Text Of Joshua 5:13–15 13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in His hand. Joshua approached Him and asked, “Are You for us or for our enemies?” 14 “Neither,” He replied. “I have now come as commander of the LORD’s army.” Then Joshua fell facedown in reverence and asked Him, “What does my Lord have to say to His servant?” 15 The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. Immediate Context Joshua has just led Israel across the Jordan. Circumcision and Passover have been celebrated (5:2–11), marking covenant renewal. Before assaulting Jericho he meets the Divine Warrior who will truly fight the battle (6:2). The narrative flows without a break: chapter divisions are later; 6:2 still quotes the same speaker. Traditional Jewish Interpretation Rabbinic sources (e.g., Targum Jonathan) call the figure a mighty angel. Yet even medieval commentators like Rashi note that Joshua’s worship indicates more than an ordinary messenger. Proposed Identities 1. An archangel (Michael). 2. A created angel of high rank. 3. A theophany/Christophany—appearance of the pre-incarnate Son of God. Internal Scriptural Evidence Favoring Christophany • ACCEPTANCE OF WORSHIP: Joshua “fell facedown in reverence.” In Revelation 19:10; 22:8-9 created angels refuse worship. The commander receives it. • HOLY GROUND COMMAND: “Take off your sandals” echoes Exodus 3:5 where the angel of the LORD speaks from the burning bush and is called “God.” • DIVINE TITLE CONTINUITY: 6:2 says, “Then the LORD said to Joshua.” No new speaker is introduced; narrator equates the commander with YHWH. • UNIQUE “SAR” LANGUAGE: Isaiah 9:6 names Messiah “Prince (sar) of Peace.” • PARALLEL WITH REVELATION: The rider on the white horse who “judges and wages war” (Revelation 19:11-16) leads “the armies of heaven.” Archaeological Context Of Jericho Excavations (John Garstang 1930s; Bryant Wood 1990) show collapsed mud-brick walls at the tell’s base and jars filled with charred grain, fitting a swift conquest in spring, exactly as Joshua 3:15; 6:17-24 describe. The commander’s promise, “I have delivered Jericho into your hands” (6:2), is thus embedded in verifiable history. Ancient Military Custom & Holy War Near-Eastern kings were styled “commanders” of their armies; Israel’s King is YHWH Himself (Exodus 15:3). Deuteronomy 20:4: “For the LORD your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you.” The encounter stresses that victory is by divine, not human, strategy—underscored when Jericho falls without siege engines. Alternative Theories Assessed 1. MICHAEL? Daniel 10:13 calls Michael “one of the chief princes” (plural). Our figure is unique and sovereign. Michael never accepts worship. 2. CREATED ANGEL? No created angel makes ground holy. In Judges 13:20-22 Manoah fears death because he has “seen God.” Joshua reacts similarly. 3. CHRISTOPHANY? Fits every detail—divine worship, holiness, seamless transition to YHWH’s speech, messianic “prince” terminology, and NT echo in Revelation 19. Theological Significance • Pre-incarnate Christ demonstrates His eternality (John 8:58) and unity with the Father yet distinct personhood. • Establishes typology: as Jesus meets Joshua before conquest, so the risen Christ commissions the Church (Matthew 28:18-20). • Reveals Christ as Divine Warrior who wins salvation, culminating in the cross and resurrection (Colossians 2:15). Practical Application Worship: Like Joshua, believers bow to Christ’s absolute lordship. Holiness: Removing sandals pictures repentance and reverence (1 Peter 1:15-16). Spiritual Warfare: Victory over sin is secured by the same Commander (Ephesians 6:10-18). Historical Reception Early Church: Chrysostom, Ambrose, and Theodoret speak of “our Lord Jesus Christ” appearing to Joshua. Reformation: Calvin calls Him “the only-begotten Son of God.” Contemporary evangelical scholarship (e.g., Waltke, Howard, Luter) concurs. Conclusion The commander of the LORD’s army in Joshua 5:14 is the pre-incarnate Jesus Christ—Yahweh manifest, accepting worship, declaring holiness, and leading His people to victory. Selected Christian Sources • Berean Standard Bible. • Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho. • Bryant G. Wood, “Did the Israelites Conquer Jericho?,” BAR 16:2 (1990). • Craig Keener, Miracles, vol. 2. |
    |