← Back to Joshua

Joshua 6

27 verses

TL;DR

Joshua leads the Israelites in a divine plan to conquer Jericho by encircling the city, marching with the Ark and trumpets, and shouting when the walls collapse. The city is destroyed, its treasures are set in the Lord’s treasury, and Rahab is spared for her help.

Summary

The Israelites, instructed by the LORD through Joshua, are commanded to circle Jericho once each day for six days, carrying the Ark of the Covenant and seven priests with trumpets. On the seventh day, after seven circumambulations, the priests blow the trumpets and Joshua orders the people to shout, causing the walls to fall. The army then enters and destroys the city, seizing its silver, gold, and bronze vessels for the Lord’s treasury. The two spies, who had hidden in Rahab’s house, retrieve her and her family before the destruction. Rahab is spared for hiding the spies, and the city is cursed, with a curse placed on those who rebuild it. Joshua’s fame spreads, and the LORD remains with him throughout the conquest.

Outline
  1. Divine strategy: encircle Jericho, use the Ark and trumpets for victory.
  2. Execution of the plan: seven circumnavigations, trumpet blasts, shouts, walls fall.
  3. Aftermath: destruction of the city, seizure of treasures, sparing of Rahab, curse on Jericho.
Themes
Faithful obedience to divine instructionsGod’s sovereign power over warfare and judgmentMercy amid judgment (Rahab’s salvation)
Keywords
Ark of the Covenanttrumpetsram's hornJerichowallsshoutRahabspiesJoshuaIsraelcursedtreasury
People
JoshuaRahabKing of JerichoChildren of IsraelPriestsSpies of IsraelArk of the Covenant
Places
JerichoIsrael (the camp)
Things
Ark of the CovenantSeven trumpets of rams' hornsCity wallsSilver, gold, bronze vesselsTreasury of the Lord
Key Verses
  • Joshua 6:5: The wall falls after the trumpet blast and shout, marking the divine deliverance.
  • Joshua 6:17: The curse on the city and the special sparing of Rahab highlight judgment and mercy.
  • Joshua 6:24: All treasure is collected into the Lord’s treasury, demonstrating divine ownership.
Questions
  • How does the use of the Ark and trumpets illustrate the Israelites’ reliance on divine intervention?
  • What is the significance of Rahab’s survival in the context of faith and judgment?
  • In what ways does the narrative of Jericho challenge modern understandings of warfare and divine justice?
Sentiment

mixed
The passage records both divine wrath (city destruction) and mercy (Rahab’s salvation).