Keraia
Joshua 6

Joshua 6:26

The Walls of Jericho · Joshua 6:1–27
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Translations

Modern
At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho; at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And Joshua charged them at that time, saying, “Cursed be the man before the face of YHWH who rises up and builds this city, Jericho. With his firstborn he shall lay its foundation and with his youngest he shall set up its gates.”
Latin
Maledictus vir coram Domino, qui suscitaverit et ædificaverit civitatem Jericho. In primogenito suo fundamenta illius jaciat, et in novissimo liberorum ponat portas ejus.

Original

Hebrew
English
At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho; at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.”

Notes

Joshua 6:26

Joshua placed a curse on the site because Jericho was the first Canaanite city to resist God’s plan to bring Israel into the land. It was also the first city to experience God’s judgment on the great wickedness of Canaan. As the firstfruits of Israel’s conquest, Jericho belonged to God (Exodus 13:2; 23:19). God later carried out Joshua’s curse on the first person who tried to rebuild the city (1 Kings 16:34; compare Joshua 7).

Joshua 6:24–27

The people of Jericho had already been put to death by the Israelites (6:21). Joshua then destroyed the city and everything in it. As the firstfruits of the battle, all the spoils belonged to God.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua Holy War

Events

People

Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan

Places

Jericho: An ancient city in Canaan, famously conquered by Israel

Glossary

Abiram Achan, Achar Conquest and Allotment of the Land Curse, Cursed Gilgal Hiel Jericho Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judah, Tribe of Judges, Book of Kings, Books of First and Second Rahab (Person) Segub Tribe of Dan

Topics

Foundation: Laid For: Cities Gates of Cities Hiel in Him Was Fulfilled the Curse Pronounced by Joshua Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: Concerning the Rebuilding of Jericho