What is the meaning of Joshua 6?
Introduction to Joshua 6
The fall of Jericho stands as one of the most dramatic demonstrations of God’s power in the Bible, where divine intervention and human obedience converge in an unprecedented military victory. This chapter showcases how יהוה (Yahweh) fights for His people when they follow His unusual battle strategy with unwavering faith. The narrative presents a stark contrast between human military wisdom and divine tactics, ultimately revealing that victory comes not through conventional strength but through faithful obedience to God’s commands.
Far from being merely a historical account of ancient warfare, Joshua 6 serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual warfare and the triumph of faith over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It demonstrates how God often works in ways that confound human wisdom, requiring His people to trust in His methods rather than their own understanding.
Context of Joshua 6
Within the book of Joshua, this chapter follows directly after Joshua’s encounter with the Commander of יהוה’s army (Joshua 5:13-15) and represents the first major military campaign in the conquest of Canaan. The positioning is significant as it shows that before any battle could be won, Joshua needed to recognize divine leadership and authority.
In the broader context of Scripture, the fall of Jericho serves as a pivotal moment in Israel’s possession of the Promised Land. It fulfills promises made to Abraham centuries earlier (Genesis 15:7) and demonstrates God’s faithfulness in bringing His people into their inheritance. The victory at Jericho also foreshadows future spiritual victories, as referenced in the New Testament where it is celebrated as a triumph of faith (Hebrews 11:30).
The chapter’s placement within the historical books of the Old Testament establishes a pattern of how God works with His people – first requiring faith and obedience, then demonstrating His power in response to that faith. This pattern continues throughout Scripture and finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Messiah’s victory over sin and death.
Ancient Key Word Study
- חרם (cherem) – This term, translated as “devoted to destruction” or “under the ban,” carries deep theological significance. It means something set apart for God’s exclusive use or judgment. In the context of Jericho, it indicated that the entire city was to be given to God as a first fruits offering of the Promised Land conquest.
- שׁופר (shofar) – The ram’s horn trumpet used in the procession around Jericho. Unlike the חצוצרה (silver trumpet), the shofar was specifically associated with divine intervention and spiritual warfare. Its use here connects to its future role in the Day of the Lord and Messianic prophecies.
- סבב (savav) – The Hebrew verb for “encircle” or “go around” appears multiple times in this chapter. Its repetitive use emphasizes the ritualistic nature of the military action and suggests a spiritual dimension to the physical act of circling the city.
- תרועה (teruah) – This word describes the great shout given by the people, but it’s also used in Scripture for the blast of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. It carries connotations of both triumph and spiritual awakening.
- אמן (aman) – Though not explicitly used, this root concept of faith/faithfulness underlies the entire narrative. The people’s actions demonstrate this principle – believing God’s unusual battle plan would work.
- קדשׁ (qadash) – The concept of holiness permeates the chapter, particularly in how the spoils were to be handled. The city and its contents were “holy to the Lord” – set apart for His purposes.
- ירשׁ (yarash) – The verb meaning “to possess” or “to inherit” is crucial to understanding this chapter’s role in the larger narrative of Israel taking possession of their promised inheritance.
- זנה (zanah) – Used in reference to Rahab’s profession, this term’s presence highlights the redemptive aspect of the narrative, showing God’s grace extending beyond Israel to those who place their faith in Him.
Compare & Contrast
- The command to march silently (Joshua 6:10) contrasts sharply with normal military practices of the time. Ancient armies typically approached with war cries and intimidation tactics. The silence here emphasizes that this was יהוה’s battle, not man’s.
- The number seven appears repeatedly in this chapter, reflecting its significance as God’s number of completion. The seven-day march, seven priests, and seven circuits on the final day weren’t arbitrary but specifically chosen to demonstrate divine orchestration.
- The use of priests carrying the Ark, rather than warriors leading the charge, emphasizes the spiritual nature of the battle. This reversal of normal military protocol shows that victory would come through divine power rather than human strength.
- The Hebrew text’s description of the walls falling “תחתיה” (in place) is significant. Other ancient siege accounts typically describe walls being breached or gradually broken down. This phrase emphasizes the supernatural nature of the collapse.
- The preservation of Rahab and her family uses the word חיה (preserve alive) rather than מלט (rescue/escape), emphasizing divine preservation rather than human escape.
- The curse pronounced on rebuilding Jericho (Joshua 6:26) employs specific Hebrew legal terminology, making it a formal prophetic declaration rather than merely an angry threat.
- The description of the silver and gold going into “the treasury of the house of יהוה” uses language that anticipates the future temple, connecting this victory with future worship.
Joshua 6 Unique Insights
The fall of Jericho presents several layers of spiritual and prophetic significance that often go unnoticed in casual reading. The Rabbinical tradition notes that the seven-day march around Jericho corresponded to the seven branches of the Menorah, suggesting that this victory was illuminated by divine light and wisdom rather than human understanding.
The early Jewish Christian commentary “Epistle of Barnabas” draws a fascinating parallel between the number of men who marched around Jericho (estimated at 40,000) and the forty days of Messiah’s temptation in the wilderness. Both scenarios involve periods of testing before a significant victory over an enemy stronghold.
The archaeological evidence at Jericho provides remarkable confirmation of the biblical account, with findings showing that the walls fell outward – a unique phenomenon that defies the normal inward collapse pattern of siege warfare. This physical evidence supports the supernatural nature of the victory and demonstrates God’s involvement in even the mechanical details of how the walls fell.
The manner in which Jericho was taken – through faith and obedience rather than military might – established a pattern that would be repeated throughout Israel’s history. The prophet Zechariah would later echo this principle with his famous declaration, “Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says יהוה of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).
Joshua 6 Connections to Yeshua
The conquest of Jericho prefigures several aspects of Messiah’s redemptive work. Just as Jericho was the first and greatest obstacle to Israel’s possession of their inheritance, so sin and death were the primary obstacles that Yeshua had to overcome to secure our eternal inheritance.
The preservation of Rahab and her family foreshadows the Messiah’s mission to save those outside the covenant who demonstrate faith. This connection becomes even more significant when we consider that Rahab became part of Yeshua’s own genealogy (Matthew 1:5), demonstrating how God’s plan of redemption has always included the nations.
The theological concept of חרם (complete dedication to God) finds its ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua, who not only demanded complete surrender from His followers but also gave Himself completely for our redemption. The victory at Jericho thus points to the greater victory achieved at the cross, where apparent defeat was transformed into triumphant victory.
Joshua 6 Scriptural Echoes
The fall of Jericho resonates throughout Scripture, finding particular echo in the book of Revelation, where the seventh trumpet signals the fall of the world’s systems opposing God’s kingdom (Revelation 11:15). The pattern of seven trumpets in both narratives suggests a deliberate connection between these events.
The preservation of Rahab connects to the prophetic thread of God’s inclusion of the nations, finding fulfillment in passages like Isaiah 56:3-8 and ultimately in the Great Commission. Her story is referenced in James 2:25 as an example of faith demonstrated through works.
The concept of divine warfare established at Jericho continues through Scripture, finding expression in Ephesians 6:12 where believers are called to engage in spiritual warfare using God’s methods rather than worldly tactics.
Joshua 6 Devotional
In our own lives, we often face obstacles that seem as insurmountable as the walls of Jericho. This chapter reminds us that victory comes not through our own strength or strategies, but through faithful obedience to God’s commands, even when they seem unconventional or foolish by worldly standards.
The story challenges us to examine our own response to God’s instructions. Are we willing to follow His guidance even when it doesn’t make sense to our natural understanding? The Israelites had to march silently for six days, possibly enduring mockery from those watching from Jericho’s walls. Similarly, our faith journey may require periods of patient obedience before we see God’s victory manifested.
Just as God preserved Rahab because of her faith, we can trust Him to be faithful to His promises in our lives. Her story reminds us that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace when they turn to Him in faith.
Did You Know
- Archaeological evidence at Jericho shows that the city walls fell outward, creating a natural ramp that allowed the Israelites to “go up into the city” exactly as described in the biblical account.
- The march around Jericho would have covered approximately one mile per circuit, meaning the Israelites walked about seven miles on the final day.
- Ancient Jewish tradition suggests that the Ark carried around Jericho contained not only the tablets of the Law but also the broken pieces of the first tablets, teaching a lesson about both justice and mercy.
- The word used for Rahab’s house location suggests it was actually built into the city wall, making her preservation even more miraculous when the walls fell.
- The ban on rebuilding Jericho was literally fulfilled during the reign of Ahab, when Hiel of Bethel lost his oldest and youngest sons in the process (1 Kings 16:34).
- The shofars used in the procession were specifically rams’ horns, connecting to the ram provided in place of Isaac on Mount Moriah and pointing toward substitutionary atonement.
- The Greek Septuagint’s translation of this chapter uses language that later New Testament writers would employ to describe spiritual warfare.
- According to Jewish tradition, the procession around Jericho began on a Sunday, making the final victory fall on the Sabbath.
- The total distance walked by the priests carrying the Ark over the seven days would have been about 13 miles, roughly the same distance as from Nazareth to the Sea of Galilee.
