Old Testament · event
The Fall of Jericho
Walls that fell with a shout — the first victory won by faith.
The fall of Jericho is the story of how Israel, entering Canaan, brought down the first fortified city it faced not by the sword but by obedience to God's word.
Timeline at a glance
- The CommandMarch around the city (Joshua 6)
- The MarchSix days of silence (Joshua 6)
- The CollapseA shout and the fallen walls (Joshua 6)
- The RescueRahab's family (Joshua 6)
Before a Fortified City
Jericho, the gateway to Canaan, was surrounded by high walls. God gave Joshua a strange command instead of battle — "March around the city once a day for six days, and seven times on the seventh day" (Joshua 6).
The March of Obedience
Israel marched around the city in silence, the ark leading the way. On the seventh day, after circling seven times, the priests blew the trumpets and the people gave a great shout — and the walls collapsed.
The Rescue of Rahab
Rahab, who had hidden the spies, and her family were saved as promised. Even in the midst of a fallen city, the one who turned in faith was spared.
Related verses
- Joshua 6:16"Shout! For the Lord has given you the city."
- Joshua 6:20"The wall collapsed ... and they took the city."
Frequently asked questions
What does the Jericho story teach?
That victory comes not from military strength but from obedience to God's word. The way opened when they obeyed a command that made no sense by human reasoning.
Who was Rahab?
Rahab was a prostitute of Jericho who hid the Israelite spies and asked them to spare her family. When the city fell she was saved as promised, and her name later appears even in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1).
Why did Israel march around the city seven times?
It was a command from God — an act of obedience to his word rather than a human military strategy (Joshua 6). It was meant to show that the victory belonged not to human strength but to God.