Joshua 6:15-27
Jericho Falls
Read the passage
15Then on the seventh day, they got up at dawn and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. That was the only day they circled the city seven times.
16After the seventh time around, the priests blew the horns, and Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!
17Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent.
18But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it.
19For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.”
20So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. 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.
21With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.
22Meanwhile, Joshua told the two men who had spied out the land, “Go into the house of the prostitute and bring out the woman and all who are with her, just as you promised her.”
23So the young spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother and brothers, and all who belonged to her. They brought out her whole family and settled them outside the camp of Israel.
24Then the Israelites burned up the city and everything in it. However, they put the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD’s house.
25And Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her father’s household and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho. So she has lived among the Israelites to this day.
26At 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.”
27So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
On the seventh day Israel rises at dawn and circles Jericho seven times. Joshua commands the people to shout because the LORD has given them the city. He also tells them that Jericho and its contents are devoted to destruction, except Rahab and those in her house.
The people must not take the devoted things for themselves, bringing disaster on Israel's camp. Silver, gold, bronze, and iron belong in the LORD's treasury. The judgment is not an opportunity for personal enrichment.
When the horns sound and the people shout, the wall collapses. Israel enters and kills men and women, young and old, as well as the oxen, sheep, and donkeys. The city is burned. We cannot tell the account honestly while leaving those deaths unspoken.
Joshua sends the two spies to bring Rahab and her family out, just as they promised. They are first settled outside the camp, and the narrator says Rahab continues to live among Israel. Mercy reaches the woman who hid the spies and sought safety from Israel's God.
Joshua pronounces a curse on anyone who rebuilds Jericho: laying its foundations will cost his firstborn, and setting up its gates will cost his youngest. The chapter closes by saying that the LORD is with Joshua and his fame spreads through the land.
Questions
1 What happens after the people shout?
AnswerThe wall collapses, and the people enter the city straight ahead after the LORD gives them the promised opening.
2 What must Israel do with the metals taken from the city?
AnswerSilver, gold, bronze, and iron must go into the treasury of the LORD rather than become private spoil.
3 Why are Rahab and her household spared?
AnswerThey are spared because Rahab hid the messengers Joshua sent and kept the agreement made through the spies.
4 What does the ending say about Joshua?
AnswerIt says the LORD is with Joshua, and his reputation spreads through the land as he leads Israel.
What This Means for Us
This account cannot be separated from its particular setting as Israel's report of God's judgment. It is not permission for Christians to target neighbors, seize property, or baptize personal violence as obedience.
The household lesson is more searching: victory does not make us owners of everything within reach. Where God gives responsibility, He also gives boundaries, and genuine faith keeps promises while refusing greed.
Prayer
God of justice and mercy, keep us from using power for profit or calling our anger obedience. Teach us to honor boundaries, keep our promises, and welcome those who turn toward You. Amen.
Your reading
Keep your place.
Save this passage to your private reading history.
Sign in to save your reading