"So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets... and the wall fell down flat."
Biblical Name · Hebrew Origin
Jericho Meaning in the Bible
Jericho
boy
Jericho means "city of the moon," also read as "fragrant," a Hebrew place name now used as a given name. Joshua 6:20 records that the people shouted, "and the wall fell down flat."
Is Jericho in the Bible?
Yes — Jericho appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Pronunciation:/JER-ih-koh/
OriginHebrew
MeaningCity of the moon; Fragrant
What does Jericho mean?
Jericho is a boy name of Hebrew origin meaning "City of the moon; Fragrant". Jericho was the first city conquered by Israel under Joshua's leadership — its walls famously fell when the people marched and shouted in obedience to God.
Which Bible Character Are You?
Take this free Bible personality quiz to discover which Bible character you are most like. 10 questions, instant result with a King James verse.
One of 36 free KJV quizzes — see them all.
Editor’s reflection
The city of palm trees whose walls fell flat — and the first place Israel obeyed without a plan that made sense.
Jericho (Hebrew יְרִיחוֹ) is usually derived either from yareach, 'moon' — suggesting an early lunar cult — or from reach, 'fragrance,' from the balsam that grew in the plain. Scripture calls it 'the city of palm trees' (Deuteronomy 34:3), which fits the oasis it sits on.
It is the first city west of the Jordan and the first Israel took. The instructions are famously strange: march around it once a day for six days, seven times on the seventh, blow the trumpets, and shout. 'And the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city' (Joshua 6:20). Before that, two spies were hidden by Rahab, whose scarlet cord spared her household and whose name appears in the genealogy of Matthew 1.
Jericho keeps returning. Elisha heals its bitter spring with salt (2 Kings 2:19-22). Zacchaeus climbs a sycomore there because he is short (Luke 19:1-4), and blind Bartimaeus is healed on the road out (Mark 10:46). The road from Jerusalem down to Jericho is the setting of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:30).
As a modern given name Jericho is used in English mostly for boys and reads as bold rather than gentle. Parents should know it is a conquered city as well as a famous one — the meaning people hear is 'walls came down,' which is the part worth keeping.
“So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets... and the wall fell down flat.”
Why parents choose Jericho today
- •Immediately recognisable without explanation
- •Carries a story of obedience and deliverance, not just conquest
- •Works as a place-name given name alongside Zion and Bethel
What does Jericho mean in the Bible?
Jericho means "City of the moon; Fragrant" and is a name of Hebrew origin. Below is what Scripture and Christian tradition attach to that meaning.
Jericho was the first city conquered by Israel under Joshua's leadership — its walls famously fell when the people marched and shouted in obedience to God. The battle of Jericho demonstrates that God fights for His people in ways that defy human logic.
Where does Jericho appear in the Bible (KJV)?
Jericho is connected to 1 key passage in the King James Bible, beginning with Joshua 6:20. Each verse is quoted in full below.
Take the KJV Bible with You
Download the complete King James Bible as a free PDF — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Which books of the Bible mention Jericho?
Jericho is mentioned across 2 books of the Bible. Follow any book below to read it in the KJV.
What is the spiritual meaning of Jericho?
Jericho teaches that obedience to God's unconventional strategies brings victory — walls fall when we follow His lead.
Related Promises of God
Promises connected to the meaning of the name Jericho:
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Promise
God Promises Victory in Spiritual Warfare
Bible promises about authority and victory over spiritual forces of darkness.
Promise
God Promises to Be Your Banner of Victory
Bible promises about Jehovah Nissi — the God who is your banner, ensuring victor
Verses About
Bible Verses About Victory
10 curated KJV verses
Commentary
Romans 8:37 Commentary
In-depth study • Victory in Christ
Commentary
Judges 5:31 Commentary
In-depth study • Victory and Rest
Word Meaning
Strength (עֹז (oz))
Mighty power, boldness, and refuge — the force that sustains and protects God's people.
What names are related to Jericho?
Names like Jericho
Other Hebrew biblical names that share the spirit of "City of the moon; Fragrant" — discovered by matching meaning category and origin.
Names that pair well with Jericho
Sibling sets, middle-name combinations, and complementary pairings chosen for matching origin, meaning, and similar syllable weight.
Share the meaning of Jericho
Download a printable name card with the KJV verse and meaning — perfect for Pinterest, Instagram, or a baptism keepsake.
Jericho name meaning: frequently asked questions
Jericho likely means 'moon city' (from yareach) or 'place of fragrance,' and Scripture calls it 'the city of palm trees.' It was the first Canaanite city taken by Israel, when its walls fell after seven days of marching and a shout (Joshua 6:20).
Yes — Jericho appears in the King James Bible; the passages below give the context.
Jericho means "City of the moon; Fragrant." It is a Hebrew name. The King James Bible uses it, so the meaning is carried by a real person in Scripture.
Common questions about the name Jericho
Can I download a free King James Bible PDF to study the name Jericho?
Yes. The complete King James Bible is available as a free PDF download — all 66 books, 1,189 chapters, ready to read offline or print. No sign-up required.
Where can I read the full biblical context for Jericho?
You can read every verse where Jericho appears in the King James Bible by downloading the free KJV PDF or reading online. The download page also includes a bookmarked Book of Psalms KJV PDF for easy reference.