Joshua 6 24

Joshua 6:24 kjv

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 6:24 nkjv

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.

Joshua 6:24 niv

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.

Joshua 6:24 esv

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.

Joshua 6:24 nlt

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.

Joshua 6 verses

Joshua 6 24 Meaning

Joshua 6:24 describes the complete and total destruction of Jericho by fire at the command of the Lord, with everything in it consumed, except for specific valuable items—silver, gold, bronze, and iron vessels—which were consecrated to the treasury of the tabernacle. This act demonstrated God's judgment upon a wicked city and the holiness required of Israel in dedicating the spoils of war as an offering to Him rather than for personal gain.

Joshua 6 24 Context

Joshua 6:24 is the culmination of God's specific command regarding Jericho, Israel's first conquest in Canaan. The previous verses (Josh 6:17-19, 21) detailed that Jericho and all its inhabitants, livestock, and contents, except Rahab and her household, were to be "devoted to destruction" (herem). This divine mandate was not mere arbitrary violence but an act of righteous judgment against the Canaanite wickedness (Gen 15:16, Deut 9:5) and a demonstration of God's holiness. The burning of the city and its contents signifies total judgment and purification. The specific exception for precious metals to be put into the Lord's treasury underlines that God, as the Giver of victory, claims the "firstfruits" of the conquest and forbids Israel from profiting personally from the herem. This strict command sets the stage for Achan's transgression in the next chapter (Josh 7:1) when he disobeys by taking some devoted items, illustrating the profound seriousness of adherence to God's precise instructions.

Joshua 6 24 Word analysis

• And they burned: The Hebrew verb is śārap (שָׂרַף), meaning "to burn" or "consume with fire." This emphasizes the comprehensive and final nature of the destruction. It is often used in the context of ritualistic burning, symbolizing purification or irreversible destruction for holiness purposes (e.g., of sin offerings).
• the city: Ha'ir (הָעִיר). Specifically refers to Jericho, signifying the entire urban structure and fortifications.
• with fire: Ba'ēš (בָאֵשׁ). Reinforces the means of destruction. Fire is often associated with divine judgment (Gen 19:24), purification (Mal 3:2), and consuming holiness (Heb 12:29).
• and all that was in it: Wekhōl-'asher-bāh (וְכָל־אֲשֶׁר־בָּהּ). This comprehensive phrase means every living creature (as established in Josh 6:21, excepting Rahab's household) and every item, except those specifically exempted. It speaks to the totality of the herem.
• only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron: Raq hakkesef wehazzāhāḇ ukhelê hannehōšet wehabbārzl. These were non-combustible and valuable materials. They were exempt from destruction because they were deemed "clean" or valuable enough to be purified by fire or other means (Num 31:23) and devoted to a sacred purpose, unlike items defiled by Canaanite idolatry or common household items. This specific distinction underscores God's authority over all things, even spoils.
• they put: Nātěnû (נָתְנוּ). A direct action verb indicating the deliberate placement of these items.
• into the treasury: El-'ôṣar (אֶל־אוֹצַר). A storehouse or collection point for valuables, especially those dedicated to a temple or sanctuary.
• of the house of the Lord: Bêt YHWH (בֵּית יְהוָה). Refers to the tabernacle, the mobile sanctuary where God's presence resided and where dedicated offerings and temple assets were stored (1 Kgs 7:51). This signifies the items were consecrated and belonged to God Himself.

Words-group Analysis:

• "And they burned the city with fire, and all that was in it": This phrase succinctly conveys the destructive aspect of the herem command. It emphasizes divine judgment carried out through human agents. The thoroughness reflects God's complete removal of evil and consecration of the land.
• "only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord": This phrase details the preservation and consecration of precious metals. It contrasts with the general destruction, highlighting specific exemptions for items considered valuable and transferable to God's sanctuary. This reflects the principle that even amidst judgment, God receives His due and shows His sovereignty over material wealth, signifying these elements as "holy to the Lord" from the devoted city.

Joshua 6 24 Bonus section

• The practice of herem for Jericho acted as a theological statement about God's nature. It affirmed His absolute sovereignty, His righteousness in judgment, and His demand for holiness from His covenant people.
• The purification of the precious metals by fire (which they had survived in the burning city) symbolizes their dedication to God's pure and holy purposes, contrasting with the defilement of the city from which they came.
• This act also served as a critical test of Israel's obedience. Would they value material wealth over divine command? Joshua 6:18 provided the explicit warning, and verse 24 shows they passed this test collectively at Jericho, although later, an individual failed.
• Jericho's fate reminds believers of the principle that while some things in this world are completely antithetical to God's will and must be utterly destroyed or removed from influence, others, even those previously associated with darkness, can be purified and repurposed for His glory (e.g., the transformation of former idolaters or their resources dedicated to God).

Joshua 6 24 Commentary

Joshua 6:24 encapsulates the completion of a divinely commanded act of herem—the utter devotion of a city to destruction for the Lord. This was not random carnage, but an act of sacred warfare against the entrenched evil of the Canaanites, designed to prevent their spiritual contamination of Israel (Deut 7:2-6). The total incineration of Jericho, saving only a few individuals as exceptions (Rahab), served as a powerful testimony to God's holiness and His unyielding judgment against sin. The crucial detail of dedicating the precious metals and vessels to the tabernacle's treasury profoundly signifies that all victory and all spoils belong ultimately to the Lord. Jericho, being the first city conquered, served as a "firstfruits" offering to God, demonstrating Israel's complete dependence on Him and their obedience. This strict command taught Israel that the land and its resources were not for their personal enrichment or pride, but entirely consecrated to God's purposes. Disregarding this sanctity, as Achan soon learned, had dire consequences for the entire community. It reinforces that genuine faith involves radical obedience and recognizes God's absolute ownership over everything, even what humans might otherwise value greatly.