With wonder and alarm the watchmen of the city marked every move, and reported to those in authority. They knew not the meaning of all this display; but when they beheld that mighty host marching around their city once each day, with the sacred ark and the attendant priests, the mystery of the scene struck terror to the hearts of priest and people. Again they would inspect their strong defenses, feeling certain they could successfully resist the most powerful attack. Many ridiculed the thought that any harm could come to them through these singular demonstrations. Others were awed as they beheld the procession that each day wound about the city. They remembered that the Red Sea had once parted before this people, and that a passage had just been opened for them through the river Jordan. They knew not what further wonders God might work for them.

I lydighed mod den guddommelige befaling lod Josua Israels hære tage opstilling. De skulle ikke gå til angreb, men blot marchere rundt om byen, tage Guds ark med og blæse i horn. Forrest gik krigerne, som var specielt udvalgt. De skulle ikke vinde sejren i kraft af deres egen dygtighed og styrke, men i lydighed mod Guds befaling. Efter dem gik syv præster med horn. Derefter fulgte Guds ark. Den var omgivet af Guds herligheds glans og blev båret af præster, som var iført deres hellige embedsdragt. Bagefter fulgte hele Israels folk. Hver stamme gik under sit felttegn. Sådan var den procession, der gik rundt om den domfældte by. Der hørtes ingen anden lyd end den vældige hærs fodtrin og de højtidelige hornsignaler, der gav genlyd mellem bjergene og i Jerikos gader. Når folket var gået rundt om byen en gang, gik de tavse tilbage til deres telte, og arken blev sat på plads i tabernaklet.