[so corrected; the 1610 original misprints the number as “VII”]
[“VII” so printed, but a misprint for “II” — this is the second of the Jericho little-questions (the first being QVAESTIVNCVLA I above, col. 735; the next, QVÆSTIO III, follows correctly on col. 739). Serarius himself back-refers to the present question as “q. 2” on col. 739.]
Wholly unheard-of was the assault of this city. But it was prescribed by that very One, through His Angel, at verses 2, 3, 4, and 5 — who alone does wondrous things. First: the camp was not moved nearer to the city from Gilgal, although some have supposed otherwise, since there is neither trace nor cause of any such advance. Then: for seven days the approach to the city had to be made daily, close up from the camp — namely up to the point where they would be safe from the darts and missiles which the enemy could hurl from the walls. Third: on those same seven days the Israelites went all round about the whole city, and returned into their own camp, verse 11. Fourth: this order was kept — that in the first place the column of armed men should march; in the second, seven priests sounding seven trumpets; in the third, the ark itself, borne on the shoulders of other priests; fourth, the rest of the multitude, verses 9 and 13. Fifth: this method was employed. First, that on the six former days they should go round the city only once, but on the seventh day seven times. Then, that on those same six former days the utmost silence should be kept by all, except by those seven priests who had to blow the blast of the trumpets, verse 10. The same had to be observed most carefully in all the circuits of the seventh day too; but when these were completed, at once and by all a most vehement shout was raised, verses 5 and 16. Third, that this halt and shout was not to be made at once at the will of any individual, but when a fixed signal was given by the Commander, verses 5, 10, 16. Sixth: the time of all the circuits was before noon, that is, in the morning, verse 12. Who ever saw, read, or heard of such an assault upon any city, or even upon the smallest fort? “Jericho,” says St. Chrysostom, homily 23 on the Ephesians, “the Israelites overthrew rather in the manner of those performing dances than of those waging war.” Or, as it is more elegantly in the Greek: τῶν χορευόντων μᾶλλον, ἢ τῶν πολεμούντων τὸ ὄμμα ἔχοντες ἐτροπώσαντο [tōn choreuontōn mallon, ē tōn polemountōn to omma echontes etropōsanto, “having the bearing rather of dancers than of warriors, they routed it”].
(col. 739)
But some of these [points] must still be discussed a little.