Joshua 6 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Joshua 6 meaning explained in AI Summary

The Curse on Achan: After the conquest of Jericho, the Israelites are preparing to attack the city of Ai. However, God tells Joshua that the Israelites have sinned, and that they must first deal with their sin before they can attack Ai. Joshua investigates, and he discovers that Achan, an Israelite, has taken some of the plunder from Jericho for himself. This is a violation of God's command, and it has brought a curse upon the Israelites. Joshua confronts Achan, and Achan confesses his sin. Achan and his family are stoned to death, and the curse is removed from the Israelites. The curse on Achan is a reminder that sin has serious consequences. It is also a reminder that God is holy, and that he cannot tolerate sin in his people.

This chapter details the Israelites' miraculous conquest of Jericho, the first city they encounter in the Promised Land.

God's Instructions: God gives Joshua specific and unusual instructions for taking Jericho:

The March: For six days, the armed men, followed by priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant and blowing trumpets, are to march around the city once in silence.
The Shout: On the seventh day, they are to march around the city seven times. After the seventh circuit, the priests will blow a long blast on the trumpets, and the people are to shout with a great shout.
The Outcome: God promises that the city walls will collapse, allowing the Israelites to conquer Jericho.

Obedience and Victory: The Israelites follow God's instructions precisely. For six days, they march silently around the city, creating an atmosphere of anticipation and dread. On the seventh day, after the seventh circuit and the long trumpet blast, the people shout, and the walls of Jericho come crashing down! The Israelites then storm the city and completely destroy everything in it, except for Rahab and her family who are spared because she helped the Israelite spies.

Key Themes:

God's Power and Faithfulness: The fall of Jericho demonstrates God's power to deliver on his promises and overcome any obstacle. It highlights the importance of trusting and obeying God, even when his instructions seem strange or illogical.
Holiness and Judgement: The complete destruction of Jericho, including its inhabitants and possessions, emphasizes God's holiness and his judgment against wickedness. It serves as a reminder that disobedience to God has consequences.
Faithfulness and Mercy: Rahab's story within this chapter highlights God's mercy and his willingness to save those who trust in him, even if they are not part of the covenant community.

The fall of Jericho is a significant event in the Israelite conquest of Canaan. It marks the beginning of their possession of the Promised Land and serves as a powerful reminder of God's power, faithfulness, and judgment.

Joshua 6 bible study ai commentary

The victory at Jericho stands as a paradigm of spiritual warfare, where triumph is achieved not by human strategy or strength, but through absolute faith and radical obedience to God's seemingly illogical commands. It demonstrates the intersection of God's sovereign power, His righteous judgment against deep-seated sin, and His abundant grace extended to those who respond in faith, as seen in the preservation of Rahab.

Joshua 6 Context

The conquest of Jericho serves as the "firstfruits" of the Promised Land. As a heavily fortified and ancient Canaanite city, it represented a humanly insurmountable obstacle. The commands surrounding its fall establish a critical principle for Israel: the land is a gift from God, and victory belongs to Him alone. The practice of cherem (חרם), or devoting the city entirely to God through destruction, was a unique, unrepeatable act of divine judgment against a morally depraved culture (Gen 15:16) and a consecration of the first city conquered to Yahweh, preventing Israel from profiting from it and being corrupted by its idolatry. The battle plan is intentionally a liturgical procession rather than a military assault, making it a powerful polemic against the war-gods of Canaan and the pride of human warfare.

Joshua 6:1

Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in.

In-depth-analysis

A State of Paralysis: The city is hermetically sealed. This emphasizes the psychological victory already won through the miracles of the Jordan crossing (Josh 5:1). The people of Jericho are acting out of fear, not strength.
Human Impossibility: The verse sets the stage by highlighting the physical impossibility of a conventional assault. The solution must be divine.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 3:5: 'All these were cities fortified with high walls, gates, and bars...' (Describes the kind of challenge Israel faced).
2 Corinthians 10:4: 'For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.' (Spiritual parallel of Jericho's walls).

Cross references

Josh 2:9-11 (Rahab testifies to Jericho's fear), Josh 5:1 (Canaanite kings' hearts melted), Isa 22:1-3 (a city in panic).

Joshua 6:2-5

And the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. This you shall do for six days. Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat.”

In-depth-analysis

Past Tense Victory: "I have given" (v. 2) is a prophetic perfect tense in Hebrew. God declares the victory as already accomplished, conditioning Israel to act on a promise, not a possibility.
The Number Seven: This number signifies divine completeness, perfection, and fulfillment. Its repetition—seven priests, seven trumpets, seven days, seven circuits on the seventh day—saturates the event with divine action, leaving no room for human glory.
Word: The trumpets are shofar (שופר), ram's horns. These are not for military music but for sacred announcements, recalling God's appearance at Sinai (Ex 19:16) and signaling a solemn, divine event.
Illogical Strategy: The plan is absurd from a military perspective, requiring complete trust. The focus is not on siege engines but on the Ark of the Covenant (God's presence), the priests (God's ministers), and the shofar (God's voice).

Bible references

Hebrews 11:30: 'By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days.' (The NT's primary interpretation: it was an act of faith).
1 Corinthians 1:25: 'For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.' (God's method defies human wisdom).
Exodus 19:13, 16: '...when the ram's horn sounds a long blast... At the sound of the trumpet... there were thunders and lightnings...' (The shofar signals God's powerful presence).

Cross references

Num 10:8-9 (priests blow trumpets for war), Zech 4:6 (not by might, but by My Spirit), Lev 25:9 (shofar on Day of Atonement for Jubilee).

Polemics

This battle plan is a direct polemic against Canaanite religion. Victory is achieved not by appealing to a storm or war god (like Baal) through violent ritual, but by quiet, obedient, and precise worship of Yahweh, whose mere presence and proclaimed word are sufficient.

Joshua 6:6-14

So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord.” ... As Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord following them. ... They did this for six days.

In-depth-analysis

Ritualistic Repetition: The detailed repetition of the instructions and their execution (vv. 6-7, 8-9, 12-14) is a literary device emphasizing perfect, unquestioning obedience.
The Command of Silence: Israel's silence (v. 10) is critical. It prevents boasting, focuses all attention on God, and builds psychological pressure on Jericho's inhabitants. The only sounds are the footsteps of the army and the sacred blasts of the shofar. This is an act of holy worship.

Bible references

Habakkuk 2:20: 'But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.' (Silence as an act of reverence).
Zechariah 2:13: 'Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.' (Silence in anticipation of divine action).
Exodus 14:14: 'The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.' (The principle of trusting God to act).

Cross references

Josh 1:7-8 (command for total obedience), Lam 3:26 (good to wait quietly), Ps 46:10 (be still, know I am God).

Joshua 6:15-17

On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. ... And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, “Shout, for the Lord has given you the city. And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live...”

In-depth-analysis

The Climactic Shout: The shout (teruah) is not the cause of the walls falling; it is the final, explosive release of faith and the proclamation of a victory already given by God.
Word: "Devoted... for destruction" is the Hebrew word cherem (חרם). This means the city is irrevocably consecrated to God, removed from human use. It is an act of divine justice and purification of the land.
Judgment and Grace: The verse holds in perfect tension God's total judgment (cherem) on the wicked city and His specific, covenant-keeping grace toward Rahab, who acted in faith.

Bible references

1 Thessalonians 4:16: 'For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.' (The final victory shout and trumpet).
Deuteronomy 7:2, 26: '...you must devote them to complete destruction... for it is a thing devoted to destruction (cherem).' (The legal basis for this action).
Hebrews 11:31: 'By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient...' (Shows Rahab's salvation was an act of faith).

Cross references

1 Sam 15:3 (Saul's failure to apply cherem), Acts 2:21 (whoever calls on the Lord will be saved), Lev 27:28-29 (cherem law).

Joshua 6:18-19

But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. But all silver and gold, and every article of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord.

In-depth-analysis

Contagious Holiness/Curse: The cherem is transferable. Achan's sin in the next chapter will demonstrate that violating the ban makes the individual (and by extension the community) subject to the same curse.
Not for Plunder: By consecrating the precious metals to the Lord's treasury, God makes it clear that this war is not for Israel's enrichment. It's for His glory and judgment. This prevents greed and reinforces the sacred nature of the event.

Bible references

Joshua 7:1, 11-12: '...Achan... took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.' (The immediate consequence of violating this command).
Micah 4:13: '...I will consecrate their gain to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth.' (Prophetic parallel of consecrating spoils of war).
Acts 5:1-4: '...Ananias... kept back for himself some of the proceeds... You have not lied to man but to God.' (A NT parallel of holding back what is devoted to God).

Cross references

Deut 13:17 (no devoted thing shall stick to your hand), Mal 3:10 (bring full tithe to storehouse).

Joshua 6:20-21

So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword.

In-depth-analysis

The Wall Fell "Flat": The Hebrew tachteyha (תַחְתֶּיהָ) means "under itself." The walls collapsed into their own footprint, creating a ramp for the Israelites to go "straight before him" up into the city.
Total Cherem: The execution is swift and absolute, fulfilling the divine command. This is often seen as the most ethically challenging part of the text, but within its context, it's presented as the fulfillment of a divine sentence on a society whose "iniquity is now complete" (Gen 15:16).

Bible references

Revelation 18:2, 21: 'Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!... Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, "So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence..."' (Echoes the sudden, total judgment of a corrupt system).
1 Samuel 15:18-19: '...‘Go, and devote to destruction the sinners, the Amalekites’... Why then did you not obey the voice of the Lord?' (Shows the gravity of carrying out cherem).

Cross references

Deut 20:16-18 (command to destroy Canaanite nations), Rom 1:18 (the wrath of God is revealed).

Joshua 6:22-25

But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, “Go into the prostitute’s house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her.”... and they set her outside the camp of Israel... And Joshua saved Rahab the prostitute alive, and her father’s household... because she hid the messengers... And she has lived in Israel to this day.

In-depth-analysis

Promise Kept: Joshua demonstrates righteous leadership by ensuring the oath to Rahab is honored even in the midst of total destruction.
Incorporation into Israel: Rahab is not just spared; she and her family are assimilated into the covenant people ("she has lived in Israel"). This foreshadows the inclusion of Gentiles into God's plan of salvation.
Justified by Faith and Works: The reason given is her action ("because she hid the messengers"), which was the evidence of her faith declared in Joshua 2.

Bible references

Matthew 1:5: '...Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth...' (Her full inclusion is confirmed in the lineage of David and Jesus Christ).
James 2:25: 'And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?' (Her actions are cited as proof of justifying faith).

Cross references

Josh 2:12-14 (the oath made), Num 30:2 (law concerning vows), Gal 3:28 (neither Jew nor Greek... all one in Christ).

Joshua 6:26-27

Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, “Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. “At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates.” So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land.

In-depth-analysis

A Perpetual Memorial: The curse on Jericho perpetuates its status as a city devoted to God. Rebuilding it would be an act of defiance, an attempt to reclaim for human use what God had claimed for Himself.
The Source of Success: The chapter concludes by redirecting all glory. Joshua's fame is not his own; it is because "the LORD was with Joshua," reinforcing the theme of the entire book.

Bible references

1 Kings 16:34: 'In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.' (The specific and literal fulfillment of this curse centuries later).
Genesis 12:2-3: '...I will bless you and make your name great... ' (God making his servant's name great as a result of his presence).

Cross references

Deut 27:15-26 (curses for disobedience), 1 Sam 2:30 (those who honor me I will honor), Mal 1:11 (My name will be great).

Joshua chapter 6 analysis

Theology of Worship as Warfare: The "battle" of Jericho is structured as a week-long liturgical procession. It teaches that the highest form of spiritual warfare is faithful, obedient worship that honors God's presence and proclaims His victory.
The Rahab Principle: Grace is available to any and all who, despite their background, turn to God in faith. Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, is saved from judgment and grafted into the messianic line, a powerful type of Gentile salvation.
Firstfruits Principle: As the first city conquered, Jericho's complete devotion to God (metals to the treasury, life to judgment) sets a precedent. The best and first of all that God gives belongs back to Him.
Typology of Salvation:
- Joshua (Heb. Yehoshua): His name is the same as Jesus (Heb. Yeshua), meaning "Yahweh saves." He leads his people out of the wilderness into their promised inheritance.
- Jericho: Represents a world system fortified by sin and rebellion, which cannot be overcome by human strength.
- The Shout: A type of the believer's confession of faith, proclaiming a victory already accomplished by Christ.
- Rahab's Scarlet Cord (Josh 2:18): Often seen as a type of the blood of Christ, the sign that marks a household for salvation and deliverance from judgment (cf. the Passover lamb's blood in Ex 12:7, 13).
- The Trumpets and the Shout: This event is a clear foreshadowing of the final Day of the Lord, which will be announced with a trumpet blast and a great shout, resulting in the fall of worldly kingdoms and the resurrection of the saints (1 Cor 15:52; 1 Thess 4:16; Rev 11:15).

Joshua 6 summary

God gives Joshua a highly unconventional, seven-day ritualistic plan to conquer the impenetrable city of Jericho, demanding silent, obedient marching followed by a climactic shout of faith. When Israel obeys, the walls miraculously collapse. The city and its contents are entirely "devoted to the LORD" (cherem) as an act of judgment and consecration, with the sole exception of Rahab and her family, who are saved because of her faith. The chapter establishes that victory and inheritance come not from human might, but from faith in God's power and obedience to His word.

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Joshua chapter 6 kjv

¹ Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
² And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valor.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
⁹ And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rearward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
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.
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.
¹² And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
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 rearward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
¹⁴ And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
²³ And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out 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.
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.
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.
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.
²⁷ So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country.

Joshua chapter 6 nkjv

¹ Now Jericho was securely shut up because of the children of Israel; none went out, and none came in.
² And the LORD said to Joshua: "See! I have given Jericho into your hand, its king, and the mighty men of valor.
³ You shall march around the city, all you men of war; you shall go all around the city once. This you shall do six days.
⁴ And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. But the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
⁵ It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him."
⁶ Then Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD."
⁷ And he said to the people, "Proceed, and march around the city, and let him who is armed advance before the ark of the LORD."
⁸ So it was, when Joshua had spoken to the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD advanced and blew the trumpets, and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.
⁹ The armed men went before the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard came after the ark, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets.
¹⁰ Now Joshua had commanded the people, saying, "You shall not shout or make any noise with your voice, nor shall a word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I say to you, 'Shout!' Then you shall shout."
¹¹ So he had the ark of the LORD circle the city, going around it once. Then they came into the camp and lodged in the camp.
¹² And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
¹³ Then 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 rear guard came after the ark of the LORD, while the priests continued blowing the trumpets.
¹⁴ And the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. So they did six days.
¹⁵ But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times.
¹⁶ And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: "Shout, for the LORD has given you the city!
¹⁷ Now the city shall be doomed by the LORD to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
¹⁸ And you, by all means abstain from the accursed things, lest you become accursed when you take of the accursed things, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.
¹⁹ But all the silver and gold, and vessels of bronze and iron, are consecrated to the LORD; they shall come into the treasury of the LORD."
²⁰ So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city.
²¹ And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, ox and sheep and donkey, with the edge of the sword.
²² But Joshua had said to the two men who had spied out the country, "Go into the harlot's house, and from there bring out the woman and all that she has, as you swore to her."
²³ And the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all that she had. So they brought out all her relatives and left them outside the camp of Israel.
²⁴ But they burned the city and all that was in it with fire. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
²⁵ And Joshua spared Rahab the harlot, her father's household, and all that she had. So she dwells in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
²⁶ Then Joshua charged them at that time, saying, "Cursed be the man before the LORD who rises up and builds this city Jericho; he shall lay its foundation with his firstborn, and with his youngest he shall set up its gates."
²⁷ So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout all the country.

Joshua chapter 6 niv

¹ Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.
² Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men.
³ March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days.
⁴ Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.
⁵ When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in."
⁶ So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it."
⁷ And he ordered the army, "Advance! March around the city, with an armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD."
⁸ When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD's covenant followed them.
⁹ The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding.
¹⁰ But Joshua had commanded the army, "Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!"
¹¹ So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the army returned to camp and spent the night there.
¹² Joshua got up early the next morning and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
¹³ The seven priests carrying the seven trumpets went forward, marching before the ark of the LORD and blowing the trumpets. The armed men went ahead of them and the rear guard followed the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets kept sounding.
¹⁴ So on the second day they marched around the city once and returned to the camp. They did this for six days.
¹⁵ On the seventh day, they got up at daybreak and marched around the city seven times in the same manner, except that on that day they circled the city seven times.
¹⁶ The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!
¹⁷ The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.
¹⁸ But keep away from the devoted things, so that you will not bring about your own destruction by taking any of them. Otherwise you will make the camp of Israel liable to destruction and bring trouble on it.
¹⁹ All the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron are sacred to the LORD and must go into his treasury."
²⁰ When the trumpets sounded, the army shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the men gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so everyone charged straight in, and they took the city.
²¹ They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it?men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep and donkeys.
²² Joshua said to the two men who had spied out the land, "Go into the prostitute's house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her."
²³ So the young men who had done the spying went in and brought out Rahab, her father and mother, her brothers and sisters and all who belonged to her. They brought out her entire family and put them in a place outside the camp of Israel.
²⁴ Then they burned the whole city and everything in it, but they put the silver and gold and the articles of bronze and iron into the treasury of the LORD's house.
²⁵ But Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute, with her family and all who belonged to her, because she hid the men Joshua had sent as spies to Jericho?and she lives among the Israelites to this day.
²⁶ At that time Joshua pronounced this solemn oath: "Cursed before the LORD is the one who undertakes to rebuild this city, Jericho: "At the cost of his firstborn son he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates."
²⁷ So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.

Joshua chapter 6 esv

¹ Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in.
² And the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.
³ You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days.
⁴ Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets.
⁵ And when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him."
⁶ So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD."
⁷ And he said to the people, "Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the LORD."
⁸ And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the LORD went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD following them.
⁹ The armed men were walking before the priests who were blowing the trumpets, and the rear guard was walking after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually.
¹⁰ But Joshua commanded the people, "You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout."
¹¹ So he caused the ark of the LORD to circle the city, going about it once. And they came into the camp and spent the night in the camp.
¹² Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
¹³ And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the LORD, while the trumpets blew continually.
¹⁴ And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days.
¹⁵ On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times.
¹⁶ And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, "Shout, for the LORD has given you the city.
¹⁷ And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.
¹⁸ But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it.
¹⁹ But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD."
²⁰ So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city.
²¹ Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword.
²² But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, "Go into the prostitute's house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her."
²³ So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel.
²⁴ And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
²⁵ But Rahab the prostitute and her father's household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho.
²⁶ Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, "Cursed before the LORD be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. "At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates."
²⁷ So the LORD was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land.

Joshua chapter 6 nlt

¹ Now the gates of Jericho were tightly shut because the people were afraid of the Israelites. No one was allowed to go out or in.
² But the LORD said to Joshua, "I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors.
³ You and your fighting men should march around the town once a day for six days.
⁴ Seven priests will walk ahead of the Ark, each carrying a ram's horn. On the seventh day you are to march around the town seven times, with the priests blowing the horns.
⁵ When you hear the priests give one long blast on the rams' horns, have all the people shout as loud as they can. Then the walls of the town will collapse, and the people can charge straight into the town."
⁶ So Joshua called together the priests and said, "Take up the Ark of the LORD's Covenant, and assign seven priests to walk in front of it, each carrying a ram's horn."
⁷ Then he gave orders to the people: "March around the town, and the armed men will lead the way in front of the Ark of the LORD."
⁸ After Joshua spoke to the people, the seven priests with the rams' horns started marching in the presence of the LORD, blowing the horns as they marched. And the Ark of the LORD's Covenant followed behind them.
⁹ Some of the armed men marched in front of the priests with the horns and some behind the Ark, with the priests continually blowing the horns.
¹⁰ "Do not shout; do not even talk," Joshua commanded. "Not a single word from any of you until I tell you to shout. Then shout!"
¹¹ So the Ark of the LORD was carried around the town once that day, and then everyone returned to spend the night in the camp.
¹² Joshua got up early the next morning, and the priests again carried the Ark of the LORD.
¹³ The seven priests with the rams' horns marched in front of the Ark of the LORD, blowing their horns. Again the armed men marched both in front of the priests with the horns and behind the Ark of the LORD. All this time the priests were blowing their horns.
¹⁴ On the second day they again marched around the town once and returned to the camp. They followed this pattern for six days.
¹⁵ On the seventh day the Israelites got up at dawn and marched around the town as they had done before. But this time they went around the town seven times.
¹⁶ The seventh time around, as the priests sounded the long blast on their horns, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the town!
¹⁷ Jericho and everything in it must be completely destroyed as an offering to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and the others in her house will be spared, for she protected our spies.
¹⁸ "Do not take any of the things set apart for destruction, or you yourselves will be completely destroyed, and you will bring trouble on the camp of Israel.
¹⁹ Everything made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron is sacred to the LORD and must be brought into his treasury."
²⁰ When the people heard the sound of the rams' horns, they shouted as loud as they could. Suddenly, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites charged straight into the town and captured it.
²¹ They completely destroyed everything in it with their swords ? men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys.
²² Meanwhile, Joshua said to the two spies, "Keep your promise. Go to the prostitute's house and bring her out, along with all her family."
²³ The men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, mother, brothers, and all the other relatives who were with her. They moved her whole family to a safe place near the camp of Israel.
²⁴ Then the Israelites burned the town and everything in it. Only the things made from silver, gold, bronze, or iron were kept for the treasury of the LORD's house.
²⁵ So Joshua spared Rahab the prostitute and her relatives who were with her in the house, because she had hidden the spies Joshua sent to Jericho. And she lives among the Israelites to this day.
²⁶ At that time Joshua invoked this curse: "May the curse of the LORD fall on anyone
who tries to rebuild the town of Jericho.
At the cost of his firstborn son,
he will lay its foundation.
At the cost of his youngest son,
he will set up its gates."
²⁷ So the LORD was with Joshua, and his reputation spread throughout the land.