Joshua 6

The narrative arc moves from the static, defensive posture of the inhabitants of Jericho to the rhythmic, obedient movement of the Israelite camp, culminating in a sudden, catastrophic collapse of human defenses.

• The Lord promises to give Jericho, its king, and its mighty men of valor into Joshua's hand (v. 2).

• The people are commanded not to shout or speak until instructed (v. 10).
• The people are commanded to keep themselves from the 'accursed thing' (v. 18).

• If the people take of the 'accursed thing,' they will bring a curse and trouble upon the camp of Israel (v. 18).
• Anyone who rises up to rebuild the city of Jericho is under a curse (v. 26).

• Jericho was a strategic, heavily fortified gateway city into the hill country of Canaan.
• The text describes a total destruction, which stands in contrast to the historical realities of later periods where the site shows intermittent occupation.

• Siege warfare in the Ancient Near East typically relied on starvation or complex engineering; the liturgical procession described is distinct, emphasizing that the victory was theological rather than technological.
• The 'accursed thing' (cherem) was a practice of dedicating spoils entirely to God as judgment for the wickedness of the Canaanite nations.

• This passage serves as the opening military engagement of the Conquest, following the renewal of the covenant at Gilgal in chapter 5.
• Matthew Henry observes that the siege of Jericho serves as a mirror for the spiritual warfare of the believer, where the 'trumpet of the gospel' must be sounded in the way and time of God's choosing.

• This event fulfills the promise of the land given to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Gen 12:7; 15:18).
• The destruction of Jericho and the preservation of Rahab provide a stark illustration of judgment and grace operating simultaneously, a theme later reflected in Hebrews 11:31.

• The warning against rebuilding Jericho (v. 26) is later referenced in 1 Kings 16:34, where Hiel of Bethel rebuilds the city at the cost of his sons' lives, proving the efficacy of the word spoken by Joshua.

• Jericho (יְרִיחוֹ H3405): A central city in Canaan, often associated with the 'City of Palm Trees'.
• Trumpets (שׁוֹפָר H7782 / יוֹבֵל H3104): The text specifies 'rams' horns', which were used for the year of Jubilee; the sound signifies the Lord's arrival and the proclamation of His rule.
• Shout (רוּעַ H7321): This verb often implies a shout that splits the ears, associated with battle cries or liturgical acclamation.
• Shut up (סָגַר H5462): Used here in a military context to describe the city being sealed or barricaded against ingress or egress.

• Modern readers often miss the strict silence commanded in verses 10; the people were not cheering during the first six days, but engaging in a somber, disciplined act of worship.
• The 'accursed thing' is not merely an object but a spiritual contagion; the taking of the items from the city was forbidden to ensure the purity of the camp.

• Regarding the 'accursed thing': There is a longstanding historical-theological tension regarding the morality of the total destruction of Canaanite populations. Historic Reformed perspectives (such as those reflected in Matthew Henry) view this as a manifestation of divine justice against the 'measure of their sins', while other perspectives highlight the inherent difficulty in reconciling such violence with the God of love. This study remains neutral, focusing on the text's own claim that this was a divine judgment.