At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath: "Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho; at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates." At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath:This phrase indicates a specific moment following the fall of Jericho, a significant event in Israel's conquest of Canaan. Joshua, as the leader of Israel, speaks with authority, invoking a curse that carries divine weight. The use of a solemn oath underscores the seriousness and irrevocability of the pronouncement, reflecting the ancient Near Eastern practice of binding oaths and curses. Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho;
The curse is pronounced "before the LORD," indicating that it is not merely Joshua's words but carries divine authority. Jericho, the first city conquered in the Promised Land, was to remain a testament to God's power and judgment. The curse serves as a warning against defying God's will and attempting to restore what He has destroyed. This reflects the biblical theme of divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience. at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations;
This part of the curse specifies a severe consequence for rebuilding Jericho: the loss of the rebuilder's firstborn son. In ancient cultures, the firstborn held significant importance, often representing the family's future and legacy. The loss of a firstborn would be a devastating personal and familial tragedy, emphasizing the gravity of defying God's command. at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.
The curse extends to the rebuilder's youngest child, indicating a complete and total loss within the family. This mirrors the comprehensive destruction of Jericho itself and serves as a deterrent against any attempt to restore the city. The mention of both the firstborn and the youngest underscores the totality of the curse, affecting the entire lineage of the transgressor.
This curse was fulfilled in 1 Kings 16:34 when Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho, losing his firstborn and youngest sons, demonstrating the enduring nature of God's word and the fulfillment of prophecy. This event serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of adhering to God's commands. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites after Moses, who led the conquest of Canaan. He pronounced the curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho. 2. JerichoA significant Canaanite city that was the first to be conquered by the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land. Its destruction was a pivotal event in Israel's history. 3. The CurseA solemn oath pronounced by Joshua, invoking divine judgment on anyone who would rebuild Jericho, indicating the seriousness of God's command and the consequences of disobedience. Teaching Points The Seriousness of God's CommandsJoshua's curse on Jericho underscores the importance of taking God's commands seriously. Disobedience can have severe consequences, as seen in the fulfillment of the curse. The Power of WordsJoshua's pronouncement was not just a human declaration but carried divine authority. Our words, especially those spoken in faith and alignment with God's will, have power. Faith and ObedienceThe fall of Jericho was a result of faith and obedience to God's instructions. Similarly, our victories in life come through trusting and obeying God. The Consequences of DefianceHiel's experience in 1 Kings 16:34 serves as a warning about the cost of defying God's word. It reminds us to consider the long-term consequences of our actions. God's Faithfulness to His WordThe fulfillment of Joshua's curse centuries later shows that God's word is enduring and reliable. We can trust in His promises and warnings. Bible Study Questions 1. What does Joshua's curse on Jericho teach us about the importance of obedience to God's commands? 2. How does the fulfillment of the curse in 1 Kings 16:34 illustrate the reliability of God's word? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our words align with God's will and carry His authority? 4. How does the account of Jericho's fall in Hebrews 11:30 encourage us to live by faith today? 5. What are some modern-day "Jerichos" in our lives that require faith and obedience to overcome, and how can we apply the lessons from Joshua 6:26 to these situations? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 16:34This verse records the fulfillment of Joshua's curse when Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho, losing his firstborn and youngest sons, demonstrating the enduring nature of God's word and the consequences of defying it. Deuteronomy 27:15-26These verses outline the blessings and curses associated with obedience and disobedience to God's commands, providing a broader context for understanding the significance of Joshua's curse. Hebrews 11:30This verse highlights the faith of the Israelites in the fall of Jericho, emphasizing the role of faith in God's promises and commands. | 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 Adjured, Adjureth, Build, Buildeth, Building, Builds, Built, Charged, Commanded, Cost, Cursed, Doors, Firstborn, First-born, Foundation, Foundations, Gates, Jericho, Joshua, Laid, Lay, Loss, Oath, Orders, Pronounced, Puts, Raiseth, Rebuild, Rebuilds, Rise, Rises, Riseth, Saying, Solemn, Stone, Swore, Thereof, Town, Undertakes, YoungestDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 6:26 1429 prophecy, OT fulfilment
5317 foundation
5323 gate
5430 oaths, human
5688 firstborn
6160 fathers, sin of 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 6:26 NIVJoshua 6:26 NLTJoshua 6:26 ESVJoshua 6:26 NASBJoshua 6:26 KJV
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