Joshua Chapter 6 — The Fall of Jericho
Following God's specific instructions, the Israelites march around Jericho for seven days until the walls collapse, allowing them to capture the city while sparing Rahab.
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Notable Verses
Joshua 6:5
“it shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the city wall will fall down flat”
This verse outlines the specific miraculous sign God promised to perform for the Israelites.
Joshua 6:20
“When the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city”
This is the climactic moment where God's promise is fulfilled and the city is captured.
Joshua 6:25
“But Rahab the prostitute, her father’s household, and all that she had, Joshua saved alive. She lives in the middle of Israel to this day”
This highlights the preservation of Rahab and her family due to her earlier act of faith and assistance.
Chapter Summary
Joshua Chapter 6 details the miraculous conquest of Jericho by the Israelites. Under God's command, the army, led by seven priests carrying trumpets of rams' horns and the Ark of the Covenant, marches around the city once a day for six days in silence. On the seventh day, they circle the city seven times. After a long blast from the trumpets and a collective shout from the people, the walls of Jericho collapse. The Israelites enter the city and devote it to destruction as instructed. However, Joshua ensures that Rahab and her family are spared, honoring the oath made by the spies she had previously hidden. The city is burned, and its precious metals are placed into the Lord's treasury. The chapter concludes with Joshua's curse on anyone who would attempt to rebuild the city and a note on his growing fame throughout the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Israelites marched around the city once each day for six days. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times, totaling thirteen times in all.
Rahab was spared because she had hidden the messengers sent by Joshua to spy out the land. Joshua honored the promise made to her that she and her household would be protected.
All the gold, silver, and vessels of bronze and iron were considered holy to the Lord and were placed into the treasury of the Lord's house rather than being taken as personal loot.
Joshua pronounced a curse stating that anyone who rebuilt the city would do so at the cost of their firstborn son when laying the foundation and their youngest son when setting up the gates.
Study Note
The ritualistic use of the number seven throughout this chapter—seven priests, seven trumpets, and seven days—symbolizes divine perfection and completion in the conquest.
Related Chapters
Joshua Chapter 2
This chapter provides the background on Rahab and her agreement with the Israelite spies.
Joshua Chapter 7
This chapter follows the victory at Jericho and details the consequences of the Israelites taking devoted items.
Hebrews Chapter 11
This New Testament chapter cites the fall of Jericho as a major example of faith in action.
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