Joshua 6

Commentary on The Book of Joshua - chapters 5-8.

In this section the circumcision of the men of Israel is accomplished, followed by the observance of the Passover. Then commences the initial parts of the invasion. First Jericho is taken, and then a contingent moves up the pass to capture Ai, only to be driven back because of their arrogance in taking only a limited number of soldiers for the purpose. As a result the sin of Achan is discovered in that he had kept for himself what had been dedicated to YHWH. Joshua having repented of his failure, and Achan having been dealt with for his blasphemy, Joshua takes the whole army back up the pass and Ai is captured, and the army of Bethel defeated. Joshua then arranges a covenant ceremony at Shechem.

Chapter 6. The Taking of Jericho With the Help of YHWH.

In this chapter Joshua is assured that, although Jericho is closely shut up, and there was no obvious way in which Israel could enter it, it would be delivered into his hands, and he is therefore directed, along with the army, to march round the city on each of six days, accompanied by seven priests bearing the ark of YHWH, with seven rams’ horns sounding. And on the seventh day they were to go round it seven times in the same way, with the result that its wall would fall. Joshua communicated this order to the priests and the people, and they did as they were commanded, along with obeying other instructions he gave them, particularly that the city, and all in it, should be devoted to YHWH and nothing spared, except Rahab and her family and their possessions. Their mission was successful as YHWH had promised. All in the city were destroyed, and the city itself was burnt with fire, while the gold, silver, bronze, and iron were brought into the treasury of the house of YHWH. Rahab and her father's household were saved alive, and the chapter is closed with an adjuration of Joshua, cursing any man who should rebuild the city.