Topical Encyclopedia The Siege of Jericho is one of the most iconic events in the Old Testament, marking a pivotal moment in the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land. This event is recorded in the Book of Joshua, chapters 5 and 6, and is a testament to God's power and faithfulness to His covenant people.Historical Context The siege took place after the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, crossed the Jordan River into Canaan. Jericho was a fortified city, strategically located near the Jordan River, and served as a gateway to the central highlands of Canaan. Its conquest was crucial for the Israelites to establish a foothold in the land promised to them by God. Divine Strategy The strategy for the siege was divinely ordained and unconventional. The Lord instructed Joshua on how to capture the city, emphasizing faith and obedience over military might. According to Joshua 6:2-5 , the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. 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. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse, and the people will go up, each man straight ahead." Execution of the Siege The Israelites followed the Lord's instructions precisely. For six days, they marched around the city once each day, with the Ark of the Covenant leading the procession, accompanied by seven priests blowing trumpets made from rams' horns. On the seventh day, they circled the city seven times. At Joshua's command, the people shouted, and the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed, allowing the Israelites to take the city with ease (Joshua 6:20). The Role of Rahab An important aspect of the Jericho narrative is the role of Rahab, a Canaanite woman who lived in the city. Rahab had previously sheltered two Israelite spies sent by Joshua to scout the city. In return for her protection, the spies promised to spare her and her family during the conquest. Rahab's faith in the God of Israel and her actions led to her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogy in Matthew 1:5. Theological Significance The fall of Jericho is a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises. It underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands. The event also serves as a reminder of God's judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanites and His provision for His chosen people. Archaeological Insights Archaeological excavations at the site of ancient Jericho have sparked considerable debate among scholars. Some findings suggest evidence of a sudden destruction that aligns with the biblical account, while others propose different timelines. Despite these debates, the biblical narrative remains a foundational account of faith and divine intervention. The Siege of Jericho continues to be a profound example of God's miraculous power and the faithfulness required of His people. Nave's Topical Index Joshua 6:1Now Jericho was straightly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in. Nave's Topical Index Library The Siege of Jericho How Jericho was Captured. The Law of the Sabbath-Day Explained. The Eight Days' Procession ... That Vespasian, after He had Taken Gadara Made Preparation for the ... Antigonus Besieges those that were in Masada, whom Herod Frees ... How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and ... 'As Sodom' The End When Hyrcanus who was Alexander's Heir, Receded from his Claim to ... Concerning the Successors of Judas, who were Jonathan and Simon ... Resources Who was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.org Who was King Zedekiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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