Joshua 6:17 kjv
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 6:17 nkjv
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.
Joshua 6:17 niv
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.
Joshua 6:17 esv
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.
Joshua 6:17 nlt
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.
Joshua 6 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 15:16 | "in the fourth generation they shall come back here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." | God's long-term justice against Canaan. |
| Lev 27:28-29 | "But nothing that a man owns and devotes to the LORD... shall be sold or redeemed; every devoted thing is most holy to the LORD. No one devoted to destruction may be ransomed." | The irrevocable nature of cherem. |
| Deut 7:1-6 | "you shall utterly destroy them... you shall make no covenant with them" | Command to destroy wicked nations. |
| Deut 20:16-18 | "But in the cities of these peoples... you shall save alive nothing that breathes" | Specific command for destruction of Canaanite cities. |
| Josh 2:9-11 | "I know that the LORD has given you the land... for the LORD your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath." | Rahab's confession of faith. |
| Josh 6:19 | "all silver and gold, and articles of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD and must go into his treasury." | Exception for specific precious metals in cherem. |
| Josh 7:1 | "But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things..." | Consequence of violating the cherem (Achan). |
| 1 Sam 15:2-3 | "Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have; do not spare them..." | Another instance of God's command for cherem. |
| Ps 1:6 | "for the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly will perish." | Divine justice for the righteous and wicked. |
| Prov 11:21 | "Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered." | Justice for the wicked, deliverance for the righteous. |
| Rom 1:18 | "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men..." | God's righteous judgment against sin. |
| Heb 11:31 | "By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient..." | Rahab's faith is a testament to salvation. |
| Jas 2:25-26 | "And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers...?" | Rahab's faith demonstrated by her works. |
| Matt 1:5 | "and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab..." | Rahab included in Messiah's genealogy, showcasing God's grace. |
| Acts 10:34-35 | "God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him." | God's impartial grace to those who respond in faith. |
| Luke 13:3 | "No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." | Call to repentance to avoid judgment. |
| Ezek 18:32 | "For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live." | God desires repentance and life, not destruction. |
| 2 Pet 3:9 | "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish..." | God's patience before ultimate judgment. |
| 1 Jn 2:17 | "And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." | The transient nature of a sinful world versus eternal life. |
| Rev 18:4-5 | "Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven..." | Call to separate from ungodliness before judgment. |
Joshua 6 verses
Joshua 6 17 Meaning
Joshua 6:17 declares that the city of Jericho, along with everything within it, was to be entirely set apart and consecrated to the LORD for destruction. This divine command, known as cherem or "the ban," meant an irreversible dedication, often leading to total annihilation as an act of divine judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanite nations. The singular exception to this widespread destruction was Rahab, who was preserved along with her entire household, because she demonstrated faith and obedience by hiding the Israelite spies sent by Joshua.
Joshua 6 17 Context
This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in Israel's conquest of Canaan, specifically after the seven-day siege of Jericho but before its actual destruction. The narrative in Joshua 6 details the unique and miraculous capture of this formidable city. God had commanded Israel to march around Jericho for seven days, culminating in a triumphant shout and the collapse of its walls. Joshua 6:17 specifies God's unique instructions regarding the inhabitants and spoils of the city. The overarching context for the book of Joshua is the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham to give his descendants the land of Canaan (Gen 12, 15), and simultaneously, it demonstrates God's righteous judgment against the entrenched wickedness, idolatry, and depravity of the Canaanite nations (Gen 15:16; Deut 9:4-5). Jericho was the first city taken, serving as an object lesson for Israel regarding the holiness of God and the nature of holy war (cherem), demonstrating that victory came solely from divine power and obedience, not military might. This cherem served as a direct polemic against the Canaanite deities, showing their impotence against the sovereign God of Israel who judged their adherents completely.
Joshua 6 17 Word analysis
- And the city: Refers to Jericho. Its identification is crucial, as it represents a pagan stronghold standing in direct defiance of the LORD.
- shall be devoted: Hebrew: חֵרֶם (cherem). This is a foundational theological concept here. It signifies setting something apart as sacred to the LORD, often by utterly destroying it. It is not mere destruction for human gain or vengeance but an act of worship and obedience to God's command. It represents God's uncompromising judgment on pervasive evil.
- even it and all that is within it: Emphasizes the totality and comprehensiveness of the cherem. This includes all living beings (men, women, children, animals) and goods, except specific items explicitly designated for God's treasury (Josh 6:19). It signals that the defilement of Jericho was so absolute that no part of it should remain.
- to the LORD for destruction: Clearly states the object and purpose of the cherem. The city and its contents were "to the LORD," meaning for His divine purpose and according to His will, as an act of His judgment. The outcome is "destruction," emphasizing the irreversible nature of this dedication. It demonstrates God's holiness in eradicating unrighteousness from His holy land.
- only Rahab the harlot: Hebrew: רָחָב הַזּוֹנָה (Rachav haz-zonah). Rakháv (Rahab) means "broad" or "wide." Zonah specifically means "prostitute." Her inclusion highlights the expansive and surprising nature of God's grace. She represents an outcast, a non-Israelite, and a person of questionable moral standing in society, yet chosen by God.
- shall live: Direct contrast to the commanded destruction. This signifies divine mercy and election based on a particular action of faith. It shows that God distinguishes between individuals, even amidst sweeping judgment.
- she and all that are with her in the house: Demonstrates corporate salvation, extending Rahab's individual deliverance to her entire family unit. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern family structure where the head of the household represented the family, and is similar to God saving Noah and his household (Gen 7:1) or the Passover blood on the doorposts saving families (Exod 12).
- because she hid the messengers that we sent: Provides the explicit reason for her salvation. This act of hiding the spies (Josh 2) was a demonstration of active faith, birthed from her confession that the LORD is the true God (Josh 2:9-11). It was not just an act of charity but a clear decision to align herself with God and His people, putting her life at risk.
Joshua 6 17 Bonus section
The inclusion of Rahab in God's plan, culminating in her becoming an ancestor of King David and eventually Jesus Christ (Matt 1:5), powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty and His surprising methods. It shows a continuous biblical theme of God extending grace to the "outsider" or the "unlikely," often using them to further His divine purposes. Rahab’s faith allowed her and her lineage to be grafted into God’s chosen people, contrasting sharply with Achan’s failure to adhere to the cherem, which brought judgment upon his own house (Josh 7). The strictness of the cherem also functioned to prevent Israel from adopting the corrupt religious and moral practices of the Canaanites. It was a separation from evil for the sake of preserving God’s unique people.
Joshua 6 17 Commentary
Joshua 6:17 reveals profound theological truths about God's character and His dealings with humanity. It underscores God's absolute holiness and unwavering justice in confronting deep-seated wickedness, as seen in the cherem on Jericho. This radical destruction was not arbitrary cruelty, but a judicial act, removing a corrupt civilization that had defiled the land and hindered His covenant purposes. Yet, within this comprehensive judgment, God's boundless grace is gloriously displayed in the preservation of Rahab. Her identity as a "harlot" emphasizes that God's salvation is not based on social standing, moral perfection, or ethnicity, but on active faith and obedience, even from an unexpected source. Rahab's salvation, along with her household, serves as a powerful testament that no one is beyond God's reach and that sincere faith, demonstrated through deeds, secures deliverance even in the face of imminent divine wrath.