Joshua 6 Study Notes
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6:17-25 This account of the destruction of Jericho is interwoven with that of the salvation of Rahab and her household (chap. 2). In this section there are eighty-six Hebrew words devoted to the salvation of Rahab and 102 words to describe Jericho’s destruction (Richard Hess, Joshua). Rahab’s salvation is as important as the account of Jericho’s fall.
6:17 Are set apart to the Lord for destruction is literally “is a devoted thing (cherem) to the Lord.” Anything thus “devoted” must be either destroyed or placed in God’s sanctuary. The reason given in Dt 20:16-18 was to prevent worship of other gods.
6:19 The precious metals were assigned to the Lord’s tabernacle treasury because these could not be destroyed by fire.
6:21 The list of people and animals here is not to provide an inventory of who was killed, but to emphasize the obedience of Joshua and the people. Verse 2 may suggest that, with the exception of Rahab and her family, the inhabitants of Jericho were military personnel.
6:25 The salvation of Rahab was defined as avoidance of death and as life among the people of God, Israel (Jdg 1:22-26). Rahab’s uncleanness and therefore her residence outside the camp (Jos 6:23) was probably only temporary.
6:26 The curse imposed by Joshua required that no construction take place on the mound of Jericho. It must remain in ruins as a witness to God’s judgment upon the site for its resistance to God. The references to foundation and gates, and the warning about the loss of the eldest (firstborn) and the youngest was fulfilled in 1Kg 16:34 when Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho in the ninth century BC. This is not a curse against those who would disturb burials, which was common in those days, but a consideration of Jericho’s symbolism for God’s judgment and power.
6:27 God’s presence with Joshua fulfilled the divine promises of 1:5-9. The fame of Joshua describes his renown at the victory over Jericho. Joshua’s success at Jericho, his first battle, demonstrated that he was a powerful figure to be reckoned with.