Joshua 6

King James Version

Full text for Joshua Chapter 6

1¶ Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

2And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, [and] the mighty men of valour.

3And ye shall compass the city, all [ye] men of war, [and] go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

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

5And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long [blast] with the ram's horn, [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.

6¶ And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD.

7And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.

8And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

9And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, [the priests] going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

10And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall [any] word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.

11So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about [it] once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.

12And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.

13And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, [the priests] going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

14And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

15And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

16And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

17¶ And the city shall be accursed, [even] it, and all that [are] therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that [are] with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

18And ye, in any wise keep [yourselves] from the accursed thing, lest ye make [yourselves] accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.

19But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, [are] consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

20So the people shouted when [the priests] blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

21And they utterly destroyed all that [was] in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

22But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.

23And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.

24And they burnt the city with fire, and all that [was] therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.

25And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father's household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel [even] unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

26And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.

27So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was [noised] throughout all the country.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Joshua 6 details the miraculous capture of Jericho by the Israelites. Following divine instructions, they marched around the city once daily for six days, with priests blowing trumpets before the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day, after seven circuits and a great shout from the people, Jericho's walls collapsed, allowing Israel to conquer the city and utterly destroy its inhabitants, sparing only Rahab and her household.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with Jericho securely fortified against Israel. The LORD commanded Joshua to have the armed men, priests bearing seven trumpets of ram's horns before the Ark, and the rereward march around the city once daily for six days, maintaining silence. On the seventh day, this procession was to circle the city seven times. Upon the final trumpet blast, the people were to shout, and the city walls would fall. Joshua faithfully executed these instructions. As commanded, the walls of Jericho miraculously fell flat after the seventh circuit and the great shout. The Israelites then entered the city, utterly destroying all its inhabitants and livestock with the sword, consecrating precious metals to the LORD's treasury. Only Rahab the harlot and her family were spared, as per the spies' oath, and she was brought out and allowed to dwell among Israel. Joshua then pronounced a solemn curse upon anyone who would rebuild Jericho, and the LORD's presence with Joshua was evident, spreading his fame throughout the land.

Long Summary

Joshua 6 recounts the divinely orchestrated conquest of Jericho, a city tightly shut up against the Israelites. The LORD revealed to Joshua a unique strategy for its capture, promising to deliver the city and its inhabitants into Israel's hand. The plan involved all men of war, led by armed men, followed by seven priests bearing ram's horn trumpets before the Ark of the Covenant, with a rereward bringing up the rear. For six consecutive days, this procession was to march around Jericho once, maintaining absolute silence until commanded otherwise. On the climactic seventh day, the Israelites were to compass the city seven times, with the priests continuously blowing their trumpets. Upon the final long blast of the ram's horn, Joshua would command the people to shout, at which point the city walls would miraculously fall flat, allowing the Israelites to ascend directly into the city. Joshua meticulously conveyed these divine instructions to the priests and the people, emphasizing the strict silence to be maintained. For six days, the ritual was performed precisely as commanded, with the Ark of the Covenant central to the procession. On the seventh day, rising early, they completed the seven circuits. At the seventh circuit, as the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua gave the command for the great shout. Immediately, the mighty walls of Jericho collapsed, enabling the Israelites to storm the city from every direction. Following the LORD's command, the city and all its inhabitants, both human and animal, were utterly destroyed as an "accursed thing" with the sword, a complete devotion to destruction. However, all silver, gold, and vessels of brass and iron were consecrated and brought into the LORD's treasury. Rahab the harlot and her entire household were specifically spared by Joshua, in fulfillment of the oath made by the spies, and she was brought out and allowed to dwell within Israel. Finally, Joshua pronounced a severe curse upon any future attempt to rebuild Jericho, stating that its founder would lay its foundation with his firstborn and set up its gates with his youngest son. The chapter concludes by affirming the LORD's presence with Joshua, leading to his widespread fame throughout the land.

Core Concepts

  • Divine StrategyThe LORD provides a unique and unconventional military strategy for the capture of Jericho, emphasizing obedience and faith over conventional warfare tactics. This plan involved a ritualistic procession rather than direct assault.
  • The Ark of the CovenantThe Ark, representing God's presence, was central to the procession around Jericho, carried by priests. Its presence underscored that the victory was achieved through divine power and not human might.
  • Obedience and FaithThe Israelites' strict adherence to Joshua's commands, including the silent marches and the specific timing of the shout, demonstrates their faith in God's unconventional plan. Their obedience was crucial for the miraculous outcome.
  • The Fall of Jericho's WallsThe miraculous collapse of Jericho's fortified walls, "flat," upon the people's shout and the trumpet blasts, is the climactic event, showcasing God's direct intervention and power in fulfilling His promise.
  • The Accursed Thing (Cherem)Jericho and its inhabitants were declared "accursed" (cherem), meaning utterly devoted to destruction for the LORD, with only precious metals consecrated to the treasury. This signified a complete offering and removal of pagan influence.
  • Rahab's DeliveranceRahab the harlot and her household were spared from the destruction of Jericho due to her prior act of hiding the Israelite spies and her faith. This highlights divine mercy extended to those who align with God's purposes.
  • Prophetic CurseJoshua pronounces a solemn curse upon anyone who attempts to rebuild Jericho, foretelling the loss of their firstborn and youngest son. This serves as a warning against defying God's judgment upon the city.