Joshua 6:17-19

17 And the city and all that is within it shall be 1devoted to the LORD for destruction.[a] Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she 2hid the messengers whom we sent.
18 But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel 3a thing for destruction and 4bring trouble upon it.
19 But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD."

Joshua 6:17-19 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 6

In this chapter Joshua is assured, though Jericho was closely shut up, it should be delivered into his hands, Jos 6:1,2; and he is directed, with the army, to go round the city six days together, seven priests bearing the ark of the Lord, with seven trumpets sounding; and on the seventh day to go round it seven times in like manner, when its wall should fall, Jos 6:3-5; which order Joshua communicated to the priests, and to the people, and which was put into execution by them, with some other instructions he gave them, Jos 6:6-16; particularly that the city, and all in it, should be devoted to the Lord, and none spared, but Rahab and her family, Jos 6:17-19; the success was according to the assurance given by the Lord, Jos 6:20; when all in the city were destroyed, and that was burnt with fire, and the gold, silver, brass, and iron, brought into the house of the Lord, and Rahab and her father's household were saved alive, Jos 6:21-25; and the chapter is closed with an adjuration of Joshua, cursing the man that should rebuild the city; and with this observation, that the fame of Joshua upon this was spread abroad throughout the country, Jos 6:26,27.

Cross References 4

  • 1. Leviticus 27:28; Deuteronomy 20:17
  • 2. Joshua 2:4
  • 3. [Joshua 7:12]
  • 4. Joshua 7:25; 1 Chronicles 2:7

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. That is, set apart (devoted) as an offering to the Lord (for destruction); also verses 18, 21
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.