The Walls Fall by God's Power

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Joshua 6 occurs early in Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land, following their miraculous crossing of the Jordan River. The previous chapter ends with Israel camped at Jericho’s doorstep, ready to take possession of the land God promised their ancestors. Jericho was a fortified city, tightly shut against invaders, symbolizing the formidable challenges Israel faced. Understanding the historical and covenant context helps us see this victory as God’s fulfillment of His promise to give Israel the land and His call for their complete trust and obedience.

What You'll Learn

• How God’s specific battle instructions reveal His sovereign control over Israel’s conquest.
• The significance of the ark of the covenant and priests in Israel’s worship and warfare.
• Why the destruction of Jericho was a covenant act of judgment and consecration to God.
• The role of Rahab’s faith and God’s mercy within Israel’s judgment on Jericho.
• How the fall of Jericho foreshadows Christ’s victory over sin and death.
• The importance of obedience and trust in God’s unconventional plans for victory.

God’s power and faithfulness bring victory when His people obey and trust Him fully.

Bible Translation Note: All Scripture on this page is quoted from the King James Version (KJV) and presented in full without alteration.

Joshua 6:1 Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

Joshua 6:2 And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.

Joshua 6:3 And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

Joshua 6:4 And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

Joshua 6:5 And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

Joshua 6:6 And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.

Joshua 6:7 And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.

Joshua 6:8 And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

Joshua 6:9 And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

Joshua 6:10 And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.

Joshua 6:11 So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.

Joshua 6:12 And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.

Joshua 6:13 And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

Joshua 6:14 And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

Joshua 6:15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

Joshua 6:16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

Joshua 6:17 And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Joshua 6:18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.

Joshua 6:19 But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

Joshua 6:20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Joshua 6:21 And 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.

Joshua 6:22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.

Joshua 6:23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.

Joshua 6:24 And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.

Joshua 6:25 And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

Joshua 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

Joshua 6:27 So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.

Joshua 6:1

Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.

Study: Jericho was tightly shut, symbolizing the city’s complete preparedness and confidence against any attack. This detail highlights the impossibility of Israel’s victory by natural means, setting the stage for God’s miraculous intervention and emphasizing His sovereignty over seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Joshua 6:2

And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.

Study: God’s declaration to Joshua that He has given Jericho and its king into his hand reassures Joshua of divine authority over the conquest. This promise underscores God’s faithfulness to His covenant and encourages trust in His power rather than human effort.

Joshua 6:3

And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.

Study: God’s command for the men of war to march around the city once daily for six days introduces an unconventional battle strategy. This ritualistic action reflects Israel’s reliance on God’s instructions and symbolizes spiritual warfare rather than mere physical combat.

Joshua 6:4

And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.

Study: The seven priests carrying seven trumpets before the ark signify completeness and divine presence. The number seven often represents perfection in Scripture, and the ark’s central role points to God’s presence leading the people, linking worship directly to their military campaign.

Joshua 6:5

And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.

Study: The long blast of the ram’s horn and the people’s great shout causing the walls to fall illustrate God’s miraculous power to save. This event teaches that God’s timing and commands bring victory, and human effort alone cannot achieve what God ordains.

Joshua 6:6

And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.

Study: Joshua’s instruction to the priests to carry the ark and trumpets shows his leadership in aligning Israel’s worship with God’s plan. The ark represents God’s covenant presence, reminding the people that their success depends on God’s presence among them.

Joshua 6:7

And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.

Study: Joshua commands the armed men to lead before the ark, symbolizing that God’s presence guides and protects His people in battle. This order reflects the priority of spiritual authority over military might.

Joshua 6:8

And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.

Study: The priests blowing trumpets before the ark as it follows them demonstrates a liturgical procession, blending worship with warfare. This act shows that Israel’s battle was ultimately a sacred act of obedience to God.

Joshua 6:9

And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

Study: The arrangement of armed men before the priests and the ark’s rear guard emphasizes order and reverence in the procession. It reflects Israel’s disciplined obedience and the centrality of God’s presence in their campaign.

Joshua 6:10

And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.

Study: Joshua’s command for silence until the appointed time teaches the importance of patient obedience and trust in God’s timing. This restraint highlights faith in God’s plan rather than relying on human initiative.

Joshua 6:11

So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.

Study: The ark’s single circuit around the city followed by returning to camp shows Israel’s faithful adherence to God’s instructions. This routine builds anticipation and trust in God’s unfolding plan.

Joshua 6:12

And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.

Study: Joshua rising early to lead the next day’s procession reflects his dedication and leadership in obedience. Early rising often symbolizes readiness to serve God actively.

Joshua 6:13

And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.

Study: The continual blowing of trumpets by the priests and the orderly march of armed men demonstrate Israel’s persistent faithfulness. This consistency underscores the importance of perseverance in God’s plans.

Joshua 6:14

And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

Study: Repeating the circuit for six days shows Israel’s disciplined obedience and trust in God’s timing, reinforcing that victory comes through faithfulness, not haste.

Joshua 6:15

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

Study: On the seventh day, circling the city seven times signifies completion and divine perfection. This intensified action prepares the people for God’s promised miraculous intervention.

Joshua 6:16

And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

Study: Joshua’s command to shout at the seventh circuit reveals the moment of God’s appointed victory. The shout is an act of faith, signaling trust that God has delivered the city into their hands.

Joshua 6:17

And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Study: Declaring the city accursed to the Lord shows the covenantal nature of Israel’s conquest, where the city and its inhabitants are devoted to God’s judgment. Rahab’s exemption highlights God’s mercy toward faith, even among outsiders.

Joshua 6:18

And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.

Study: The warning to avoid taking accursed things teaches the holiness required of God’s people and the serious consequences of disobedience. This command protects Israel’s covenant purity and communal blessing.

Joshua 6:19

But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.

Study: Consecrating the silver, gold, and vessels to the Lord reflects Israel’s acknowledgment that all wealth ultimately belongs to God. This act of dedication reinforces God’s ownership and Israel’s stewardship.

Joshua 6:20

So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.

Study: The people’s shout and the subsequent fall of the walls demonstrate God’s power to fulfill His promises through obedient faith. This moment confirms God’s presence and blessing on Israel’s conquest.

Joshua 6:21

And 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.

Study: The complete destruction of Jericho’s inhabitants and livestock illustrates the seriousness of God’s judgment and the need to remove evil from the land. This act of judgment serves to sanctify the land for Israel’s possession.

Joshua 6:22

But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot’s house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her.

Study: Joshua’s instruction to rescue Rahab and her family honors God’s promise to protect the faithful. This act shows God’s justice balanced with mercy and the importance of faith in His covenant.

Joshua 6:23

And the young men that were spies went in, and brought Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.

Study: The spies’ rescue of Rahab’s family and their placement outside the camp reflects Israel’s concern for purity while extending mercy. This separation maintains covenant holiness while honoring God’s promise.

Joshua 6:24

And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.

Study: Burning the city but preserving the metals for the Lord’s treasury symbolizes God’s judgment on sin and His provision for worship. This distinction underscores the sacred purpose behind Israel’s conquest.

Joshua 6:25

And Joshua saved Rahab the harlot alive, and her father’s household, and all that she had; and she dwelleth in Israel even unto this day; because she hid the messengers, which Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.

Study: Rahab’s salvation and integration into Israel highlight God’s grace toward repentant sinners and foreshadow Gentile inclusion in God’s covenant people through faith in Christ.

Joshua 6:26

And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

Study: Joshua’s curse on anyone rebuilding Jericho warns of the lasting consequences of defying God’s judgment. This pronouncement emphasizes the seriousness of obedience to God’s covenant commands.

Joshua 6:27

So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.

Study: The Lord’s presence with Joshua and his rising fame show God’s endorsement of faithful leadership. This divine favor encourages trust in God’s guidance and affirms His covenant promises.

Joshua 6 recounts the miraculous fall of Jericho, a fortified city that stood as a formidable obstacle to Israel’s conquest of Canaan. God commands Joshua and the Israelites to march around the city for six days, with priests blowing trumpets and the ark of the covenant leading the procession. On the seventh day, after seven circuits and a great shout, the city’s walls collapse, enabling Israel to capture it. The chapter highlights God’s power, the importance of obedience, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises, while also showing His mercy through Rahab’s salvation.

Lord, help us to trust Your power and timing as fully as Joshua and the Israelites did at Jericho. Teach us to obey Your commands faithfully, even when Your ways seem unusual, and to rely on Your presence in every challenge. Thank You for Your mercy that saves and Your justice that purifies. May we live with hearts devoted to You, confident in Your faithfulness and victorious through Your strength. Amen.

• Memorize Joshua 6:20 and meditate on God’s power to overcome obstacles.
• Pray for faith to obey God’s commands even when they seem difficult or unusual.
• Reflect on areas in your life where you need to trust God’s timing more fully.
• Read about the ark of the covenant to deepen your understanding of God’s presence.
• Identify someone in your life who needs to experience God’s mercy and pray for them.
• Examine your heart for anything that might hinder your obedience or holiness.
• Worship God for His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.

Joshua 6 powerfully demonstrates that God’s presence and commands lead to victory, even against impossible odds. The fall of Jericho is a testament to God’s faithfulness to His covenant and His power to deliver His people when they obey and trust Him fully. The chapter also reveals God’s justice in judgment and His mercy in saving Rahab, pointing forward to the ultimate victory in Christ. Believers today are encouraged to rely on God’s strength, obey His word, and live in holiness as they face their own spiritual battles.

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