Battle of Jericho - Bible Story and Jericho's Significance

In the Old Testament book of Joshua, Jericho was the first city conquered by the children of Israel after they crossed over the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land following the Exodus. Today, the battle of Jericho is a key chapter in Israel’s post-exodus history. But what do we really know about the ancient city of Jericho and what happened to its famous walls?

Where Is Jericho Located in the Bible?

The city of Jericho is first mentioned in the 22^nd chapter of the book of Numbers in the Old Testament. Having wandered in the wilderness for 40 years, a new generation of Israelites, who had not doubted and disobeyed God in the desert, were finally prepared to enter the Promised Land. Accordingly, “the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan (River) across from Jericho.” (Numbers 22:1; emphasis added)

Geographically, the plains of Moab were located east of the Jordan River and just north of the Dead Sea. Atop nearby Mount Nebo, it is written that God would show Moses the land of Canaan (the Promised Land) that his people would soon inherit (Deuteronomy 34:1-4). 

However, as a result of his disobedience at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the Desert of Zin, Moses would only get to see the Promised Land from a distance (see Deuteronomy 32:51-52). He would not get to enter Canaan or lead his people into their inheritance. Rather, Moses would die on Mount Nebo at the age of 120 and be buried somewhere in the Valley of Moab opposite Beth-Peor (Deuteronomy 34:5-6). 

After Moses’ passing, God had chosen Joshua the son of Nun to take over the mantel of leadership and shepherd God’s people into the Promised Land (see Deuteronomy 34:9; Joshua 1:10-18). 

East of the Jordan River, Joshua prepared for Israel’s crossing. It is written, “Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. ‘Go, look over the land,’ he said, ‘especially Jericho.’” (Joshua 2:1; emphasis added)

Why was Jericho such a focal point of Joshua’s early plans for Canaan?

Having crossed the Jordan River from the east, Joshua’s spies would have quickly run into a city built west of the Jordan River and about 10 miles northwest of the Dead Sea. Jericho. 

Jericho itself had been strategically built at the crossroads of three major trade routes that led into the highlands and mountains of central Canaan. Unlike the surrounding deserts, the valley of Jericho thrived as a fertile, spring-fed oasis along a major ford of the Jordan. 

In fact, throughout the Old Testament, the city of Jericho is sometimes referred to as “the city of palms” because of its abundant palm trees (Deuteronomy 34:3; Judges 1:16; Judges 3:13; 2 Chronicles 28:15). 

Historical and archeological evidence also reveals that Jericho may have been a relatively small city, perhaps only ten acres in diameter. However, if an invading force were to take Jericho, their path into the mountains of Canaan would essentially be open (see Holman Bible Atlas, 77). 

Given God’s long-term plan for Canaan, the strategic importance of Jericho to the Israelites becomes much clearer.  

Of course, the city had to be taken first. That would not be an easy task. For although Jericho was not a historically large or vastly populated city, it did boast one sizable advantage over the armies of Israel. Its strength was in its walls.

What Made the Walls of Jericho So Formidable?

Before the Israelites ever crossed the Jordan River, Moses had warned the people, “You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky.” (Deuteronomy 9:1)

As it turns out, his warning would soon come to fruition when Joshua’s spies beheld Jericho for the first time. 

Built on a large hill, Jericho could only be taken by mounting a steep embankment. That alone gave Jericho the enviable high ground over any invading force, putting Israel at a severe disadvantage. 

This impressive defensive stronghold is what the Israelites faced when they approached Jericho.

At first report of the armies of Israel camped across the Jordan River, the king of Jericho would have also closed the city gates and ordered the nearby villagers to take refuge inside the city walls. A documented natural spring inside the city would have provided the residents of Jericho with ample water, and with a large supply of grain stored from the spring harvest (see Joshua 2:6; 3:15; 5:10), the city was already well-prepared for a siege. 

Historically, a siege of such magnitude could have lasted for months, if not years. The cost to Israel, in terms of provision, armament, and loss of life, would have been tremendous. The only way to truly defeat Jericho would either be to force surrender through starvation or breach the walls via man-made rampart and siege tower. A well-provisioned, reasonably sized garrison could have repelled Israel's attacks for quite some time. 

“Humanly speaking,” writes archaeologist Bryan Wood, “it was impossible for the Israelites to penetrate the impregnable bastion of Jericho.”

Nevertheless, the Israelites who crossed the Jordan River and eventually laid siege to the city of Jericho were not like the previous generation. Their fathers had allowed fear of the challenges and obstacles ahead to rob them of their God-given inheritance. This generation, like Joshua, however, was defined instead by their courage, their faith, and their confidence in the promises of God. Where others had previously seen defeat, these Israelites, under Joshua’s leadership, saw opportunity. Their fathers saw giants and trembled. This generation remembered God’s faithfulness and saw what could be done when God was with them. They would not make the same mistakes as those who had come before them. Instead, they would hold onto the promises of God for strength and courage as they prepared to march on Jericho. 

At Jericho, however, their faith would be put to the test.

What Is the Biblical Account of the Fall of Jericho?

Under the leadership of Joshua, the children of Israel prepared their conquest of the land of Canaan, starting with Jericho. 

Joshua had already sent spies ahead to infiltrate and report on Jericho. When they arrived at the city, the Bible tells us that Joshua’s spies, “entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.” (Joshua 2:1)

We know from the biblical account of the battle of Jericho that Rahab’s house was in the lower quarters of the city. In fact, the back wall of her house was said to have been built against the outer retaining wall (Joshua 2:15). 

As was often the case with cities like Jericho, those living in the lower levels were often more vulnerable than those living higher up during a time of war. Given Rahab’s occupation, there is also reason to believe that the lower quarters of Jericho were reserved for the poor or lower class. Prime real estate, as expected, was located higher up the hill. 

In any case, the location of Rahab’s house actually provided an advantage to the spies of Israel, who were able to infiltrate and escape over the outer walls undetected. Nevertheless, news of their arrival had made its way to the king of Jericho, who ordered Rahab to produce the two spies (Joshua 2:2-3). However, the Bible tells us that Rahab had decided to hide Joshua’s spies in the stalks of flax on her roof, telling the king of Jericho that these sons of Israel had already come and gone (Joshua 2:4-8). 

Before helping them escape out her window and down the outer wall, Rahab confessed that she believed in the God of Israel and was convinced that Jericho and the land would soon be given to Israel by the hand of their God. 

Furthermore, Rahab revealed that reports of how God had parted the Red Sea and defeated the kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan had reached the inhabitants of Jericho (Joshua 2:9-10). As a result, “when we heard of it,” Rahab said, “our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:11)

Joshua’s spies would eventually escape from the house of Rahab and take refuge in the hills for three days before returning to Joshua east of the Jordan River (Joshua 2:22). When they reunited with Joshua, his reconnaissance team came back with the report: “the Lord has surely given the whole land into our hands; all the people are melting in fear because of us.” (Joshua 2:24)

Soon after, Joshua would lead Israel across the Jordan River to Gilgal, where they made final preparations for the siege of Jericho (Joshua 3:1-5:15).

But what was Joshua’s strategy for taking the city of Jericho?

Unlike other leaders, when faced with an impossible challenge and the insurmountable obstacle of breaching Jericho’s walls, Joshua did not rely on human wisdom or human odds. Instead, he prayed. 

Prior to the battle, the Lord instructed Joshua to lead the army of Israel in a march around the walls of Jericho, once every six days. On the seventh day, Israel was to march around the city seven times. The priests were then to blow their trumpets seven times, and at the sound of the ram’s horn and trumpets’ blast, the people were instructed to shout with a great shout (Joshua 6:1-5). “Then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” (Joshua 6:5)

Joshua did as the Lord commanded.

When the Israelites arrived at Jericho, they marched around the city for seven days, with the priests carrying the ark of the covenant in their march. According to Pastor John MacArthur, “this bizarre military strategy of marching around Jericho gave occasion for the Israelites to take God at His promise. They would also heighten the defenders’ uneasiness.” (261)

The Bible then tells us that, on the seventh day, at the sound of the trumpets and the shouts of the people, “the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city,” burning it with fire and utterly destroying everything in it (Joshua 6:20-24).

Only Rahab and her family were spared, as previously promised by Joshua’s spies (Joshua 2:15-21; Joshua 6:22-25). 

Of course, some have historically dismissed the biblical account of the fall of Jericho as less fact than Jewish fiction. However, recent archeological discoveries actually tell a much different story. 

For one thing, excavations of the site believed to contain the ruins of ancient Jericho show evidence of a mudbrick wall, similar to what is described in the Bible, collapsing on itself and falling at the base of the stone retaining wall. In doing so, the collapsed brick and stone would have created a natural ramp for the Israelites to climb over and enter the city, just as described in the Bible. No man-made ramparts or siege towers were, therefore, required. 

But what could have caused a sudden collapse of such a heavily fortified wall?

One suggestion comes from 20th-century archaeologists, who found evidence of earthquake activity around the time of Jericho’s recorded downfall. Some may dismiss this as a random act of nature. However, the timing of such a specific geological event in conjunction with the date of Israel’s siege supports the Bible’s more miraculous explanation for the fall of Jericho. 

The Greeks may have resorted to guile and trickery to infiltrate and breach the wall of Troy; it is not beyond the God of creation to use a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or a flood to topple a great city, defeat His enemies, or bring about His will. 

In any case, the author of Hebrews also notes that, “by faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.” (Hebrews 11:30; emphasis added).

Further archaeological evidence supports the biblical account of a city destroyed by fire. 

In fact, 20^th-century British archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon concluded that, “the destruction was complete. Walls and floors were blackened or reddened by fire, and every room was filled with fallen bricks, timbers, and household utensils; in most rooms the fallen debris was heavily burnt, but the collapse of the walls of the eastern rooms seems to have taken place before they were affected by the fire.”

It was the same archaeologists who found remnants of clay jars containing unconsumed grain in the ruins of ancient Jericho, adding credibility to the biblical timeline of the battle. 

For one thing, unconsumed grain in a city under siege would indicate that the residents of Jericho had not tapped into their extensive food stores. The Bible, of course, offers the most logical explanation for this: the siege itself did not last very long. In fact, the Bible tells us that Jericho would fall to the Israelites at the end of only seven days. 

But why would the victorious army also not plunder and take possession of Jericho’s valuable grain stores?

The Bible again answers this question as well. Following their victory, Joshua ordered the Israelites not to plunder the ruins of Jericho or take anything for themselves, for “the city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the Lord.” (Joshua 6:17)

Only the silver and gold and articles of bronze and iron were taken and put into the treasury of the Lord (Joshua 6:19). Jericho’s grain and other provisions would remain as an offering to the Lord.

It is remarkable, therefore, how much archeological evidence has been discovered in recent years that seemingly affirms the biblical account of the battle of Jericho as more reliable and historically accurate than anyone once believed. 

What Happened after the Fall of Jericho?

Israel’s stunning victory over Jericho would begin a long campaign to claim the land God had promised Israel’s ancestor Abraham. It would strengthen the people’s faith in the promises of God, publicly confirm Joshua as God’s anointed leader, and send a warning to the people of Canaan that the Israelites were coming, and their God was with them. 

After the destruction of Jericho, Joshua promised that a curse would be placed on anyone who attempted to rebuild Jericho in the future (Joshua 6:20). The punishment for such a transgression would be the loss of that man’s firstborn son and youngest son. 

Of course, the region surrounding Jericho would be partially occupied in the years following Jericho’s defeat. However, the ruins of Jericho would remain largely untouched and undisturbed for years. 

After the initial conquest of Canaan, Jericho and other cities in the valley would be allocated to the tribe of Benjamin as an inheritance (see Joshua 15:5-11; 16:1-5; 18:11-28).

For a time, the ruins of Jericho would also serve as an outpost for Eglon, the king of Moab, and his gathered forces in their eighteen-year campaign against Israel during the time of the judges (see Judges 3:9-14).

Years later, King David would send a group of servants to Jericho to regrow their beards and regain their dignity after they had been humiliated by the Ammonites (2 Samuel 10:5; 2 Chronicles 19:5).

However, during the reign of King Ahab, Hiel of Bethel would attempt to rebuild the city of Jericho, at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram and youngest son Segub, “in accordance with the word of the Lord spoken by Joshua son of Nun.” (1 Kings 16:34).

Around that time, a school of prophets based out of Jericho would seek out the prophet Elisha just before Elijah, his master, was taken up into heaven (2 Kings 2:1-14). After Elijah’s departure, Elisha would return to miraculously purify the waters of Jericho (2 Kings 2:15-23). This would publicly affirm that the “spirit of Elijah” now rested on Elisha (2 Kings 2:15).

During the reign of King Ahaz, it is recorded that a group of prisoners captured from Judah were taken back to Jericho, clothed, fed, and cared at the behest of the prophet Oded (2 Chronicles 28:5-15). 

In the last days of the southern kingdom of Judah, King Zedekiah would flee Jerusalem during the Babylonian invasion and make it as far as the plains of Jericho before being captured by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (2 Kings 25:2-7; Jeremiah 39:5; 52:8).

The last mention of Jericho in the Old Testament is found in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah following the Jewish return from exile. Here, a remnant of 345 Jewish exiles would settle in Jericho (Ezra 2:24; Nehemiah 7:36). These “sons of Jericho” would later assist in the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls under the leadership of Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:2). 

For generations, the city of Jericho would remain a shell of its former self, never fully being rebuilt or restored to its original glory. However, just before the first century A.D., Herod the Great would build a new city named Jericho about a mile south of the original Jericho from the Old Testament. 

In the New Testament, Jesus would heal two blind men as He and His disciples were leaving Jericho (see Matthew 20:29; Mark 10:46; Luke 18:35). Jesus would later encounter the tax collector Zacchaeus while passing through Jericho at another point in His ministry (Luke 19:1). 

Apart from the reference in Hebrews to the faith of the Israelites in the battle of Jericho, the last mention of Jericho comes from Christ’s parable of the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10:30-37). In it, Jesus told the story of a man traveling from Jerusalem to Jericho who was attacked by robbers, beaten, and left for dead. This situation would have been familiar to Christ’s audience as the road to Jericho was a notoriously dangerous route to travel in Jesus’ day. 

Today, the modern city of Jericho, which includes the ruins of the original Old Testament city and the second city rebuilt by Herod the Great, exists in the Palestinian-controlled region known as the West Bank. However, the city of Jericho will always be remembered as the setting for one of the greatest miracles and victories in the Old Testament and a powerful reminder that God is faithful to His promises and He alone has the power to part seas, move mountains, slay giants, and topple the walls that stand before His people. 

Additional Resources:
7 Powerful Lessons from the Fall of the Walls of Jericho
What is the Significance of the Battle of Jericho?
What is the Significance of the Walls of Jericho?

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