Topical Bible: Seven: Days: The Israelites Encircled Jericho For

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The account of the Israelites encircling the city of Jericho for seven days is a significant event in the biblical narrative, illustrating themes of faith, obedience, and divine intervention. This event is recorded in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 6:1-20.

Biblical Context

The Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, had crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land. Jericho was a fortified city and the first major obstacle in their conquest of Canaan. The Lord provided Joshua with specific instructions on how to capture the city, which involved a unique military strategy that emphasized reliance on God's power rather than conventional warfare.

The Seven-Day Encirclement

According to the divine command, the Israelites were to march around the city once a day for six days. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times. The procession included armed men, seven priests carrying seven trumpets of rams' horns, and the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

Joshua 6:3-4 states: "March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns."

The Seventh Day

On the seventh day, after marching around the city seven times, the priests were to blow the trumpets, and the people were to shout with a great shout. Joshua 6:16 records: "After the seventh time around, the priests blew the horns, and Joshua commanded the people, 'Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!'"

Upon hearing the trumpet blast and the people's shout, the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed, allowing the Israelites to take the city. Joshua 6:20 describes the moment: "So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. And when they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it."

Symbolism and Significance

The seven-day encirclement of Jericho is rich in symbolism. The number seven often represents completeness or perfection in the Bible, reflecting the divine nature of the plan. The event underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands, as the Israelites followed an unconventional strategy that required trust in God's promise.

The fall of Jericho serves as a testament to God's power and faithfulness, demonstrating that victory comes through reliance on Him rather than human strength or wisdom. This narrative has been a source of inspiration for believers, emphasizing that God's ways may be beyond human understanding but are always purposeful and effective.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 6:4
And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day you shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
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Library

The Immaculate Conception
... lusts who had strangled Sarah's seven husbands, as ... continuing this devotion for nine
days, would give ... out of Egypt, and became the Israelites' sacred treasure ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... hand of their enemies all the days of the ... this victory rose the first monarchy among
the Israelites. ... rings alone amounted to one thousand seven hundred shekels ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Ancestors of the Blessed virgin
... These devout Israelites who were connected with the ancestors ... character, and even
in their young days they seemed ... daughter, who was about six or seven years old ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/i ancestors of the blessed.htm