The Walls of Jericho
When God Brought Down a Fortress with a Shout
Where to find this story in the Bible
The story of Walls of Jericho is found in Joshua 5:13–6:27 of the King James Bible (Joshua).
Books: Joshua
Historical & Cultural Context
The battle of Jericho was Israel's first military engagement upon entering the Promised Land, around 1406 BC. Jericho was one of the oldest and most fortified cities in the ancient world, with massive double walls. Archaeological excavations have found evidence of walls that collapsed outward — unusual, as walls typically fall inward during siege — consistent with the biblical account. The city was strategically vital, controlling access to the central highlands and the water sources of the Jordan Valley.
Key Characters
Key Verses
Joshua 6:20
"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."Read in context
Joshua 6:2
"And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour."Read in context
Hebrews 11:30
"By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days."Read in context
The Commander of the Lord's Army
Before the battle, Joshua encountered a man standing with a drawn sword. 'Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?' Joshua asked. The answer was surprising: 'Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come.' This was not a human ally — this was the Commander of heaven's armies. Joshua fell on his face and worshipped. The message was clear: this was not Israel's battle. God was not joining their side — they were joining His. The Commander told Joshua to remove his sandals, for the ground was holy — echoing Moses at the burning bush. The conquest of Canaan was a divine operation with a divine Commander.
The Strange Battle Plan
Jericho was 'straitly shut up' — a fortified city with massive walls, locked tight against Israel. No one went in or out. By every military calculation, a siege would take months or years. But God's battle plan was unlike any in military history: march around the city once a day for six days. Seven priests carrying ram's horn trumpets would walk before the Ark of the Covenant. The armed men would march ahead, the rear guard behind. No one was to speak — not a word — until Joshua gave the command. On the seventh day, they would march around the city seven times, the priests would blow a long blast, and all the people would shout. It was a plan that made no military sense — which was exactly the point.
Seven Days of Obedience
For six days, Israel marched in silence around Jericho. Imagine the scene from the city walls: hundreds of thousands of people walking in formation, carrying a golden box, blowing horns, and saying nothing. No siege engines, no battering rams, no arrows. Just marching and silence. The residents of Jericho must have been bewildered — and terrified. Each day of marching was a day of faith. Nothing visible happened for six days. Many great works of God require extended obedience before the breakthrough comes. The hardest part of faith is often the silent march — the days when nothing seems to change.
The Walls Fall Flat
On the seventh day, Israel rose at dawn and marched around the city seven times. On the seventh circuit, the priests blew a long blast. Joshua cried: 'Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city!' The people shouted with a great shout — and the walls fell down flat. Not partially, not gradually — flat. The Israelites charged straight into the city from every direction. The only structure left standing was the portion of wall where Rahab the harlot lived. She had hidden Israel's spies and been promised protection. Her scarlet cord in the window marked her house — and her family was saved. The first city of the Promised Land fell not by human might but by divine power expressed through simple obedience.
Symbolism & Typology
Marching Seven Days
God's battle plan required obedience, not military strategy. Seven days of silent marching tested Israel's faith and patience. God's timing often requires waiting when action seems more logical.
The Seven Trumpets
The rams' horn trumpets (shofars) were instruments of worship, not war. Jericho fell to praise, not to battering rams. Spiritual battles are won through worship, prayer, and obedience — not human effort.
The Scarlet Cord
Rahab's scarlet cord in the window saved her household, just as the blood on doorposts saved Israel in Egypt. The scarlet thread represents redemption through blood running from Passover through Rahab to Christ.
Walls Falling Outward
Walls that fall outward create a ramp for the attackers — God didn't just remove the barrier, He created a pathway. When God removes obstacles, He simultaneously provides access.
Cross-References
Spiritual Lessons
God's Methods Often Defy Human Logic
Marching in circles is not a military strategy — it is an act of worship. God often asks us to do things that make no sense to the world. When He gives instructions that seem foolish, obedience becomes the highest expression of faith. His ways are higher than our ways.
Silence Before the Shout
Israel was commanded to march in silence for six days. There is a time to be quiet — to trust without demanding answers, to obey without commentary, to wait without complaining. The shout is powerful precisely because it follows the silence. Spiritual discipline often requires holding our tongues before God opens the way.
The Battle Belongs to the Lord
The walls did not fall because of Israel's military prowess — they fell because God knocked them down. 'Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD' (Zechariah 4:6). When we try to fight in our own strength, we exhaust ourselves against walls that only God can bring down.
Rahab's Faith Saved Her
In the midst of total destruction, one family was saved — a Gentile prostitute who believed in Israel's God (Joshua 2:11). Rahab later appears in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:5). Grace is not limited by background, nationality, or past sin. Faith is the only qualification for salvation.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions for personal reflection, small groups, or family Bible time.
What does the story of The Walls of Jericho teach us about god's methods often defy human logic? How have you seen this truth in your own life?
Silence Before the Shout: How does this lesson from The Walls of Jericho challenge the way you think or act today?
Put yourself in joshua's position. What would have been the hardest part of this experience? What would have required the most faith?
The theme of this story is "obedience." Where do you see this theme playing out in the world today?
How does this Old Testament story point forward to Jesus and the gospel? What connections can you see?
If you could share one truth from The Walls of Jericho with someone who has never read the Bible, what would it be?
Family Activity Ideas
Bring this story to life with hands-on activities for children and families.
📖 Scripture Memory Challenge
Memorize Joshua 6:20 together as a family this week. Write it on a card, post it on the fridge, and practice saying it each morning. By the end of the week, see who can recite it from memory!
All ages🎭 Act It Out
Have family members take turns acting out different scenes from The Walls of Jericho. Assign roles, create simple costumes from household items, and let everyone participate. After the performance, discuss what each character might have been feeling.
Ages 4–12🗺️ Obedience Obstacle Course
Set up a simple obstacle course where one person is blindfolded and must follow only verbal directions. Discuss how obeying God sometimes means trusting His guidance even when we can't see the full picture.
Ages 5–12🍽️ Dinner Table Devotion
At dinner this week, read Joshua 6:2 aloud and ask each person: "What is one thing from the story of The Walls of Jericho that you want to remember?" Let everyone share — even the youngest.
All agesFrequently Asked Questions
Where is the story of Walls of Jericho in the Bible?
The story of Walls of Jericho is found in Joshua 5:13–6:27 of the King James Bible (Joshua).
Where in the Bible is the story of Walls of Jericho?
You can find the story of Walls of Jericho in Joshua 5:13–6:27 (KJV).
Where does the story of Walls of Jericho start in the Bible?
The story of Walls of Jericho begins in Joshua 5:13–6:27. Joshua leads Israel around the fortified city of Jericho for seven days, and on the seventh day, at the blast of trumpets and the shout of the people, the walls collapse — the first victory in the Promised Land.
Did the walls of Jericho really fall?
Archaeological excavations at Tell es-Sultan (ancient Jericho) have found evidence of collapsed walls dating to the relevant period. While scholars debate the dating and interpretation, the archaeological record is consistent with a sudden, violent destruction. The biblical account presents this as a supernatural event — walls that 'fell down flat' — beyond natural explanation.
Why did Israel march around Jericho seven times on the seventh day?
The number seven in Scripture represents completeness and divine perfection. Seven days, seven priests, seven trumpets, seven circuits — the pattern emphasizes that this was wholly God's work. The sabbath principle (work for six, rest/completion on the seventh) is embedded in the battle plan itself.
Why was Rahab saved?
Rahab had sheltered Israel's spies and confessed faith in the LORD: 'The LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath' (Joshua 2:11). She acted on her faith by hiding the spies and hanging a scarlet cord from her window as instructed. Her faith — demonstrated through action — saved her entire household.
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