At the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city--man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys. With the edge of the swordThe Israelite army carried out the judgment God commanded after Jericho’s walls fell. The sword displayed God’s righteous judgment against a city whose iniquity had reached its full measure (Genesis 15:16; Isaiah 34:5–6). Deu 20:13 When the LORD your God has delivered it into your hand…
Jos 11:11 The Israelites put everyone in Hazor to the sword.…
1Sa 15:8 He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted…
they devoted to destruction Jericho was placed wholly under God’s ban, with no spoil taken for personal gain. As the first Canaanite city conquered, it belonged to the Lord; its precious metals were reserved for His treasury (Joshua 6:19, 24). Deu 7:2 and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you…
Deu 20:17 For you must devote them to complete destruction…
Num 21:2 So Israel made a vow to the LORD: “If You will deliver…
everything in the city— Nothing under the ban was to remain as a source of wealth, idolatry, or corruption for Israel. Rahab and her family were spared because she trusted the God of Israel and sheltered His messengers (Joshua 6:22–25). Deu 20:16 However, in the cities of the nations that the LORD your God…
Deu 13:15-16 you must surely put the inhabitants of that city…
Jos 8:24-25 When Israel had finished killing all the men of Ai…
man and woman, young and old, The extent of the judgment reveals the seriousness of Canaan’s entrenched rebellion and idolatry. God had waited generations before bringing judgment, and Israel was warned that the same covenant-breaking sins would bring judgment upon them as well (Deuteronomy 9:4–5). Deu 2:34 At that time we captured all his cities…
Deu 3:6 We devoted them to destruction, as we had done to Sihon…
1Sa 22:19 He also put to the sword Nob, the city of the priests…
oxen, sheep, and donkeys. Even the city’s livestock was destroyed, preventing Israel from profiting from what God had devoted to judgment. Israel’s later failure to obey a similar command against Amalek brought severe consequences for Saul (1 Samuel 15:3, 22–23). 1Sa 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote…
Jos 11:14 The Israelites took all the plunder and livestock…
Deu 20:14 But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else…
Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He was responsible for the military campaign against Jericho. 2. JerichoA fortified city in the Promised Land, known for its strong walls. It was the first city conquered by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. 3. The IsraelitesThe people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who were commanded to conquer the land of Canaan. 4. The CanaanitesThe inhabitants of Jericho, who were living in the land promised to the Israelites. They were subject to God's judgment due to their idolatry and wickedness. 5. The Ban (Herem)A divine command to destroy everything in the city as an act of judgment and consecration to God. This was a common practice in ancient warfare, but in this context, it was a specific command from God. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsThe Israelites' actions in Jericho demonstrate the importance of complete obedience to God's instructions, even when they are difficult or challenging. Judgment and MercyThe destruction of Jericho serves as a reminder of God's judgment against sin, but also His mercy in providing a way of salvation, as seen in the account of Rahab. Faith in ActionThe fall of Jericho illustrates the power of faith in action. The Israelites' faith was demonstrated through their obedience and trust in God's plan. Consecration and HolinessThe concept of the ban (herem) underscores the need for holiness and separation from sin. Believers are called to live consecrated lives, set apart for God's purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the command to destroy everything in Jericho reflect God's holiness and justice? 2. In what ways can we apply the principle of obedience seen in Joshua 6:21 to our daily lives? 3. How does the account of Jericho connect to the broader account of God's plan for Israel and the Promised Land? 4. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' faith and trust in God's plan, even when it seemed unconventional? 5. How can we balance the themes of judgment and mercy in our understanding of God's character, as seen in the account of Jericho? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 7:1-2This passage provides the background for the command to destroy the Canaanite nations, emphasizing the need to avoid idolatry and maintain purity in worship. 1 Samuel 15:3Similar to the command given to Joshua, Saul was instructed to completely destroy the Amalekites, highlighting the theme of obedience to God's commands. Hebrews 11:30This verse references the fall of Jericho as an act of faith, connecting the physical conquest to spiritual obedience and trust in God. | Booty Given to God | C. S. Bushnell. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | Discipline | J. Parker, D. D. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | Jericho Captured | Spurgeon, Charles Haddon | Joshua 6:12-27 | | Jericho Taken | W. M. Taylor, D. D. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | Lessons from the Fall of Jericho | W. E. Griffis. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | Rahab Saved | W. G. Blaikie, D. D. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | Seems not This Too Severe to Forbid the Soldiers the Spoils of the City | C. Ness. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Christian Conflict | Chas. Leach, D. D. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Curse of Jericho | A. B. Mackay. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Fall of Jericho | C. Bradley, M. A. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Fall of Jericho | British Weekly Pulpit | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Fall of Jericho | S. E. Bushnell. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Fight of Faith | A. B. Mackay. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Lofty City, He Layeth it Low | A. Maclaren, D. D. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Overthrow of Jericho | John McNeill. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Potency of Inadequate Instrumentalities | W. G. Blaikie, D. D. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Siege of Jericho | C. D. Marston, M. A. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Unprosperous Builder | | Joshua 6:12-27 | | The Walls of Jericho | F. B. Meyer, B. A. | Joshua 6:12-27 | | Too Polluted to be Spared | W. Seaton. | Joshua 6:12-27 |
People Israelites, Joshua, Nun, RahabPlaces JerichoTopics Aged, Ass, Asses, Cattle, Curse, Death, Destroyed, Devote, Donkey, Donkeys, Edge, Mercy, Mouth, Ox, Oxen, Sheep, Sword, Town, Utterly, WomenDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 6:21 4684 sheep
5025 killing
5295 destruction
5572 sword Joshua 6:1-21 8131 guidance, results Joshua 6:20-21 5568 suffering, causes Library Rahab
'And Joanna paved Rahab the harlot alive... and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day.'--JOSHUA vi. 25. This story comes in like an oasis in these terrible narratives of Canaanite extermination. There is much about it that is beautiful and striking, but the main thing is that it teaches the universality of God's mercy, and the great truth that trust in Him unites to Him and brings deliverance, how black soever may have been the previous life. I need not tell over again the story, told with such …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Siege of Jericho
'And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, ... until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout. 11. So the ark of the Lord compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.'-- JOSHUA vi.10, 11. The cheerful uniform obedience of Israel to Joshua stands in very remarkable contrast with their perpetual murmurings and rebellions under Moses. Many reasons probably concurred in bringing about this …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Shout of Faith
"And when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up, every man straight before him." The shout of a steadfast faith is an experience that is in direct contrast to the moans of a wavering faith, and to the wails of discouraged hearts, both of which we have been considering in our last two chapters. In the history of the children of Israel there were many occasions when they indulged …
Hannah Whitall Smith—The God of All Comfort Jericho Itself.
We read, that this city was not only wasted by Joshua with fire and sword, but cursed also. "Cursed be he before the Lord, who shall rise up and build that city Jericho," Joshua 6:26. "Nor was another city to be built (says the Talmudists), which was to be called by the name of Jericho: nor was Jericho itself to be built, although to be called by another name." And yet I know not by what chance this city crept out of dust and rubbish, lived again, and flourished, and became the second city to Jerusalem. …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Whether it is Lawful for Clerics and Bishops to Fight?
Objection 1: It would seem lawful for clerics and bishops to fight. For, as stated above [2661](A[1]), wars are lawful and just in so far as they protect the poor and the entire common weal from suffering at the hands of the foe. Now this seems to be above all the duty of prelates, for Gregory says (Hom. in Ev. xiv): "The wolf comes upon the sheep, when any unjust and rapacious man oppresses those who are faithful and humble. But he who was thought to be the shepherd, and was not, leaveth the sheep, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Five Kings in a Cave
TEXT: "And it came to pass, when they brought out those kings unto Joshua, that Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said unto the captains of the men of war which went with him, Come near, put your feet upon the necks of these kings. And they came near, and put their feet upon the necks of them. And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight."--Joshua 10:24-25. The history of the …
J. Wilbur Chapman—And Judas Iscariot The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Memoir of John Bunyan
THE FIRST PERIOD. THIS GREAT MAN DESCENDED FROM IGNOBLE PARENTS--BORN IN POVERTY--HIS EDUCATION AND EVIL HABITS--FOLLOWS HIS FATHER'S BUSINESS AS A BRAZIER--ENLISTS FOR A SOLDIER--RETURNS FROM THE WARS AND OBTAINS AN AMIABLE, RELIGIOUS WIFE--HER DOWER. 'We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.'--2 Cor 4:7 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.'--Isaiah 55:8. 'Though ye have lien among the …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who were at Variance; He Takes in Hand to Build a Stone Church.
57. (32). There was a certain clerk in Lismore whose life, as it is said, was good, but his faith not so. He was a man of some knowledge in his own eyes, and dared to say that in the Eucharist there is only a sacrament and not the fact[718] of the sacrament, that is, mere sanctification and not the truth of the Body. On this subject he was often addressed by Malachy in secret, but in vain; and finally he was called before a public assembly, the laity however being excluded, in order that if it were …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 6:21 NIVJoshua 6:21 NLTJoshua 6:21 ESVJoshua 6:21 NASBJoshua 6:21 KJV
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