The Fall of Jericho

Jericho was strictly shut up because of the children of Israel, and no one went out or came in. The Lord instructed Joshua to have the men of war compass the city once each day for six days. Seven priests were commanded to carry seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the covenant (Joshua 6:4). Joshua commanded the people not to shout or make any noise with their voices until the day he bade them shout. The ark of the Lord compassed the city, and the people returned to the camp to lodge (Joshua 6:11).

On the seventh day, they rose early about the dawning of the day and compassed the city after the same manner seven times. At the seventh time, when the priests blew the trumpets, Joshua told the people to shout, for the Lord had given them the city. The wall fell down flat when the people shouted with a great shout, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city (Joshua 6:20). The text does not say how the structural integrity of the wall was physically compromised beyond the vocal and instrumental sound.

They utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. The city and all that was therein was burned with fire, except for the silver, gold, and vessels of brass and iron, which were put into the treasury of the house of the Lord (Joshua 6:24). Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father’s household, and all that she had, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. The young men that were spies went in and brought out Rahab and her kindred (Joshua 6:25).