The story of Joshua leading the Israelites to bring down the walls of Jericho
Jericho
Jericho is a Palestinian city in the West Bank. It is located in the Jordan Valley, near Jordan River to the east and Jerusalem to the west. It is the administrative seat of the Jericho Governorate, and is governed by the Palestinian National Authority. In 2007, it had a population of 18,346. …
Full Answer
Did Jericho really fall to the Israelites?
The wicked city of Jericho was judged by God through the Israelites. The seemingly impenetrable walls were collapsed by a miracle . I n the Old Testament, in Joshua chapter 6 , we have an account of the Israelites defeating the city of Jericho when they came into the Promised Land after wandering in the wilderness for 40 years.
What caused the walls of Jericho to fall?
What caused the strong walls of Jericho to collapse? The most likely explanation is an earthquake. But the nature of the earthquake was unusual. It struck in such a way as to allow a portion of the city wall on the north side of the site to remain standing, while everywhere else the wall fell.
How did the walls of Jericho come crumbling down?
The walls of Jericho fell, and they fell instantly. The walls collapsed by the sheer power of God. Third, there is an uncompromising relationship between the grace of God and our faith and obedience to Him. Scripture says, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” (Hebrews 11:30).
Why did Joshua attack Jericho?
Why did Israelites invade Jericho? Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, sent two spies to Jericho, the first city of Canaan that they decided to conquer, and discovered that the land was in fear of them and their God. The Israelites marched around the walls once every day for six days with the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant.
What is the significance of the walls of Jericho?
Though weapons of the hunt had been in use for centuries, the walls of Jericho represent the earliest technology uncovered by archaeologists that can be ascribed unequivocally to purely military purposes. John F. Guilmartin The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica.
How tall are the walls of Jericho?
Walls of Jericho, massive stone walls surrounding an ancient Neolithic settlement in Jericho, built about 8000 bce. These walls, at least 13 feet (4 metres) in height and backed by a watchtower or redoubt some 28 feet tall, were intended to protect the settlement and its water supply from human intruders.
Who brought down the walls of Jericho?
No matter what agency God used, it was ultimately He who, through the faith of the Israelites, brought the walls down. After the people had marched around them for seven days, it was “by faith the walls of Jericho fell down” ( Hebrews 11:30 ).
What was the city of Jericho prepared for?
The citizens of Jericho were well prepared for a siege. A copious spring which provided water for ancient, as well as modern, Jericho lay inside the city walls. At the time of the attack, the harvest had just been taken in ( Joshua 3:15 ), so the citizens had an abundant supply of food.
How did the Israelites climb the retaining wall?
After the city walls fell, how did the Israelites surmount the four to five meter (12–15 foot) high retaining wall at the base of the tell? Excavations have shown that the bricks from the collapsed walls formed a ramp against the retaining wall so that the Israelites could merely climb up over the top. The Bible is very precise in its description of how the Israelites entered the city: “the people went up into the city, every man straight before him [i.e., straight up and over],” ( Joshua 6:20 ). The Israelites had to go up, and that is what archaeology has revealed. They had to go from ground level at the base of the tell to the top of the rampart in order to enter the city.
Why was Jericho considered a Bible problem?
Jericho was once thought to be a “ Bible problem” because of the seeming disagreement between archaeology and the Bible. When the archaeology is correctly interpreted, however, just the opposite is the case. The archaeological evidence supports the historical accuracy of the biblical account in every detail.
What did Moses tell the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land?
Before the Israelites entered the promised land, Moses told them that they were now about to cross the Jordan river, to dispossess nations which were greater and stronger than themselves, with large cities having walls that reached, as it were, to the sky ( Deuteronomy 9:1 ).
How tall was the retaining wall in Jericho?
The retaining wall was some four to five meters (12–15 feet) high. On top of that was a mudbrick wall two meters (six feet) thick and about six to eight meters (20–26 feet) high.
How many acres were there in Jericho?
Humanly speaking, it was impossible for the Israelites to penetrate the impregnable bastion of Jericho. Within the upper wall was an area of approximately six acres, while the total area of the upper city and fortification system was 50% larger, or about nine acres.
Why was Jericho built?
The Canaanites built Jericho as a kind of “gateway fortress” to their land. Any invading enemy would have to deal with the great walled city of Jericho.
What does the Bible say about the walls of Jericho?
Hebrews 11:30. “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days” (He brews 11:30). Few stories in the Bible are better known than the story of Joshua and the battle for Jericho.
What did God say to Joshua before he gave him the plan?
This is what God said to Joshua before he gave him the plan: “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men” (Joshua 6:2). Note the past tense: “I have delivered.” Not “I will deliver.” God speaks of Jericho as having already been defeated. That’s a key point. God is saying, “It’s a done deal. Those walls are coming down. It’s just a matter of time.” Now that shouldn’t surprise anyone who believes in God. He can do things like that. He speaks and it is done.
Why is Jericho considered the oldest city in the world?
Because Jericho is one of the oldest cities in the world, it was built, destroyed and rebuilt many times over the centuries. Once the city was destroyed, those who were left simply rebuilt on the ruins of the old city.
What did the priests carry in the middle of the battle?
You might miss this on a casual reading of the text. God put himself in the middle of the battle plan by having the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant as they marched around Jericho (v. 4). Remember that the Ark contained the Ten Commandments, the golden pot of manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded.
How tall was the retaining wall in Jericho?
The retaining wall was some 12-15 ft high. On top of that was a mudbrick wall 6 ft thick and about 20-26 ft high (Sellin and Watzinger 1973: 58).
What happened on the seventh day of Jericho?
On the sixth day the same thing. But on the seventh day, on the seventh trip around the city, the horns start to blow and the people let out a shout. And in one miraculous moment, “the walls came a tumblin’ down.”.
What Are the Walls of Jericho?
The account of the walls of Jericho falling is found in the Book of Joshua, which is one of the historical books in the Old Testament. It is named after Joshua, the worthy successor of Moses, who led the Israelites. This book contains action-filled conquests of the Israelites defeating the Canaan cities and obtaining the Promised Land. It also tells of the obedience and faithfulness of the Israelites, and their enjoyment of the Promised Land. The Book of Joshua ends with Joshua’s farewell speech as an old man nearing his death.
Who was the leader of the Israelites in the Promised Land?
Before Moses died, he declared that Joshua would be his successor and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Upon crossing the Jordan, Jericho is the first city the Israelites conquer with Joshua as their leader. This ancient biblical passage is full of relevance for believers today. Here are seven significant lessons from the story of the walls of Jericho for believers today.
Investigation
Archaeology
Layout
Population
Prelude
Trivia
Significance
Location
Function
Analysis
Origin
- There are many ideas as to how the walls of Jericho came down. Both Garstang and Kenyon found evidence of earthquake activity at the time the city met its end. If God did use an earthquake to accomplish His purposes that day, it was still a miracle since it happened at precisely the right moment, and was manifested in such a way as to protect Rahab...
Quotes