The Battle of Jericho, as described in the BiblicalBook of Joshua, was the first battle fought by the Israelites in the course of the conquest of Canaan. According to Joshua 6:1–27, the walls of Jericho fell after the Israelites marched around the city walls once a day for six days, seven times on the seventh day, and then blew their trumpets. Excavations at Tell es-Sultan, the biblical Jericho, have failed to substantiate this story,[2] which has its origins in the nationalist propaganda of much later kings of Judah and their claims to the territory of the Kingdom of Israel.[3] The lack of archaeological evidence and the composition, history and theological purposes of the Book of Joshua have led archaeologists like William G. Dever to characterise the story of the fall of Jericho as "invented out of whole cloth".[4]
According to the Book of Joshua, when the Israelites were encamped at Shittim opposite Jericho, ready to cross the river, Joshua, as a final preparation, sent out two spies to Jericho. The spies stayed in the house of Rahab, a local prostitute. The king of Jericho sent soldiers who asked Rahab to bring out the spies. Instead, she hid them under bundles of flax on the roof. After escaping, the spies promised to spare Rahab and her family after taking the city, if she would mark her house by hanging a red cord out the window.
After the Israelites crossed the Jordan, the king of Jericho ordered that the gates of the walls be closed. God commanded Joshua to go around the walls of Jericho for six days, once every day, and seven times on the seventh day. God commanded the city to be attacked by seven priests blowing trumpets, with the Ark of the Covenant in front of them and all the people behind the Ark of the Covenant. They encircled the wall of Jericho once a day for the first six days, and then encircled the city seven times on the seventh day. After the sound of the shofar sounded a great blow, the Israelites cheered and the city walls fell beneath them.
Following God's law, the Israelites killed every man and woman of every age, as well as the oxen, sheep, and donkeys. Only Rahab, her parents, brothers and all "those who belonged to her" were spared. They were incorporated into Israel. Joshua then cursed anybody who rebuilt the foundations and gates, with the deaths of their firstborn and youngest child respectively. This was eventually fulfilled by Hiel the Bethelite under King Ahab's reign.
Origins and historicity
Depiction of the battle by Jean Fouquet (c. 1415–1420)
Excavations at Tell es-Sultan
In 1868, Charles Warren identified Tell es-Sultan as the site of biblical Jericho.[5]Ernst Sellin and Carl Watzinger excavated the site between 1907–1909 and in 1911, finding the remains of two walls which they initially suggested supported the biblical account of the Battle of Jericho. They later revised this conclusion and dated their finds to the Middle Bronze Age (1950-1550 BCE).[6] In 1930–1936, John Garstang conducted excavations there and discovered the remains of a network of collapsed walls which he dated to about 1400 BCE. Kathleen Kenyon re-excavated the site over 1952–1958 and demonstrated that the destruction occurred at an earlier time, during a well-attested Egyptian campaign against the Hyksos of that period, and that Jericho had been deserted throughout the mid-late 13th century BCE, the supposed time of Joshua's battle.[7] Sources differ as to what date Kenyon instead proposed; either c. 1500 BCE [7] or c. 1580 BCE.[8] Kenyon's work was corroborated in 1995 by radiocarbon tests which dated the destruction level to the late 17th or 16th centuries BCE.[8] A small unwalled settlement was rebuilt in the 15th century BCE, but it has been agreed that the tell was unoccupied from the late 15th century until the 10th/9th centuries BCE.[2]
More recently, Lorenzo Nigro from the Italian-Palestinian Expedition to Tell es-Sultan has argued that there was some sort of settlement at the site during the 14th and 13th centuries BCE.[9] He states that the expedition has detected Late Bronze II layers in several parts of the tell, although its top layers were heavily cut by levelling operations during the Iron Age, which explains the scarcity of 13th century materials.[10] Nigro rejects the idea that these discoveries give credence to the biblical narrative about the conquest of Canaan by Joshua.[11]
Historicity
Scholars agree almost unanimously that the Book of Joshua holds little historical value.[12] Its origin lies in a time far removed from the times that it depicts,[13] and its intention is primarily theological in detailing how Israel and her leaders are judged by their obedience to the teachings and laws (the covenant) set down in the Book of Deuteronomy.[14] The story of Jericho and the rest of the conquest represents the nationalist propaganda of the Kingdom of Judah and their claims to the territory of the Kingdom of Israel after 722 BCE;[3] those chapters were later incorporated into an early form of Joshua likely written late in the reign of King Josiah (reigned 640–609 BCE), and the book was revised and completed after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586, and possibly after the return from the Babylonian exile in 538.[15]
^Leslie J. Hoppe (September 2005). New light from old stories: the Hebrew scriptures for today's world, p. 81-. Paulist Press. pp. 82–. ISBN 978-0-8091-4116-6. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
Bruins, Hendrik J.; van der Plicht, Johannes (1995). "Tell Es-Sultan (Jericho): Radiocarbon Results…" (PDF). Radiocarbon. Proceedings of the 15th International ¹⁴C Conference. 37 (2): 213–220. doi:10.1017/S0033822200030666.
Coote, Robert B. (2000). "Conquest: Biblical narrative". In Freedman, David Noel; Myers, Allen C. (eds.). Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible. Eerdmans. ISBN978-9053565032.
Creach, Jerome F.D. (2003). Joshua. Westminster John Knox Press. ISBN978-0664237387.
Dever, William G. (2006). Who Were the Early Israelites and Where Did They Come From?. Eerdmans. ISBN978-0802844163.
Jacobs, Paul F. (2000). "Jericho". In Freedman, David Noel; Myers, Allen C. (eds.). Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible. Eerdmans. ISBN978-9053565032.
Killebrew, Ann E. (2005). Biblical Peoples and Ethnicity: An Archaeological Study of Egyptians, Canaanites, and Early Israel, 1300–1100 B.C.E. Society of Biblical Literature. ISBN978-1589830974.
Laffey, Alice L. (2007). "Deuteronomistic history". In Espín, Orlando O.; Nickoloff, James B. (eds.). An introductory dictionary of theology and religious studies. Liturgical Press. ISBN978-0814658567.
Moore, Megan Bishop; Kelle, Brad E. (2011). Biblical History and Israel's Past. Eerdmans. ISBN978-0802862600.
Nigro, Lorenzo (2020). "The Italian-Palestinian Expedition to Tell es-Sultan, Ancient Jericho (1997–2015)". In Sparks, Rachel T.; Finlayson, Bill; Wagemakers, Bart; SJ, Josef Mario Briffa (eds.). Digging Up Jericho: Past, Present and Future. Archaeopress Publishing Ltd. ISBN978-1789693522.
Wagemakers, Bart (2014). Archaeology in the 'Land of Tells and Ruins': A History of Excavations in the Holy Land Inspired by the Photographs and Accounts of Leo Boer. Oxbow Books. ISBN978-1782972464.
External links
Media related to The Battle of Jericho at Wikimedia Commons
January 20, 2023
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The Battle of Jericho as described in the Biblical Book of Joshua was the first battle fought by the Israelites in the course of the conquest of Canaan According to Joshua 6 1 27 the walls of Jericho fell after the Israelites marched around the city walls once a day for six days seven times on the seventh day and then blew their trumpets Excavations at Tell es Sultan the biblical Jericho have failed to substantiate this story 2 which has its origins in the nationalist propaganda of much later kings of Judah and their claims to the territory of the Kingdom of Israel 3 The lack of archaeological evidence and the composition history and theological purposes of the Book of Joshua have led archaeologists like William G Dever to characterise the story of the fall of Jericho as invented out of whole cloth 4 Battle of Jericho biblical Depiction by Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld 1794 1872 LocationTell es Sultan biblical Jericho 31 52 16 N 35 26 38 E 31 87111 N 35 44389 E 31 87111 35 44389 Coordinates 31 52 16 N 35 26 38 E 31 87111 N 35 44389 E 31 87111 35 44389ResultIsraelite victoryBelligerentsIsraelitesCanaanitesCommanders and leadersJoshuaKing of Jericho Strength40 000 1 UnknownCasualties and lossesNilMassacre of all inhabitants excluding Rahab and her family class notpageimage Location within West BankShow map of West BankBattle of Jericho Israel Show map of Israel Contents 1 Biblical account 2 Origins and historicity 2 1 Excavations at Tell es Sultan 2 2 Historicity 3 See also 4 References 5 Bibliography 6 External linksBiblical account EditAccording to the Book of Joshua when the Israelites were encamped at Shittim opposite Jericho ready to cross the river Joshua as a final preparation sent out two spies to Jericho The spies stayed in the house of Rahab a local prostitute The king of Jericho sent soldiers who asked Rahab to bring out the spies Instead she hid them under bundles of flax on the roof After escaping the spies promised to spare Rahab and her family after taking the city if she would mark her house by hanging a red cord out the window After the Israelites crossed the Jordan the king of Jericho ordered that the gates of the walls be closed God commanded Joshua to go around the walls of Jericho for six days once every day and seven times on the seventh day God commanded the city to be attacked by seven priests blowing trumpets with the Ark of the Covenant in front of them and all the people behind the Ark of the Covenant They encircled the wall of Jericho once a day for the first six days and then encircled the city seven times on the seventh day After the sound of the shofar sounded a great blow the Israelites cheered and the city walls fell beneath them Following God s law the Israelites killed every man and woman of every age as well as the oxen sheep and donkeys Only Rahab her parents brothers and all those who belonged to her were spared They were incorporated into Israel Joshua then cursed anybody who rebuilt the foundations and gates with the deaths of their firstborn and youngest child respectively This was eventually fulfilled by Hiel the Bethelite under King Ahab s reign Origins and historicity Edit Depiction of the battle by Jean Fouquet c 1415 1420 Excavations at Tell es Sultan Edit In 1868 Charles Warren identified Tell es Sultan as the site of biblical Jericho 5 Ernst Sellin and Carl Watzinger excavated the site between 1907 1909 and in 1911 finding the remains of two walls which they initially suggested supported the biblical account of the Battle of Jericho They later revised this conclusion and dated their finds to the Middle Bronze Age 1950 1550 BCE 6 In 1930 1936 John Garstang conducted excavations there and discovered the remains of a network of collapsed walls which he dated to about 1400 BCE Kathleen Kenyon re excavated the site over 1952 1958 and demonstrated that the destruction occurred at an earlier time during a well attested Egyptian campaign against the Hyksos of that period and that Jericho had been deserted throughout the mid late 13th century BCE the supposed time of Joshua s battle 7 Sources differ as to what date Kenyon instead proposed either c 1500 BCE 7 or c 1580 BCE 8 Kenyon s work was corroborated in 1995 by radiocarbon tests which dated the destruction level to the late 17th or 16th centuries BCE 8 A small unwalled settlement was rebuilt in the 15th century BCE but it has been agreed that the tell was unoccupied from the late 15th century until the 10th 9th centuries BCE 2 More recently Lorenzo Nigro from the Italian Palestinian Expedition to Tell es Sultan has argued that there was some sort of settlement at the site during the 14th and 13th centuries BCE 9 He states that the expedition has detected Late Bronze II layers in several parts of the tell although its top layers were heavily cut by levelling operations during the Iron Age which explains the scarcity of 13th century materials 10 Nigro rejects the idea that these discoveries give credence to the biblical narrative about the conquest of Canaan by Joshua 11 Historicity Edit Scholars agree almost unanimously that the Book of Joshua holds little historical value 12 Its origin lies in a time far removed from the times that it depicts 13 and its intention is primarily theological in detailing how Israel and her leaders are judged by their obedience to the teachings and laws the covenant set down in the Book of Deuteronomy 14 The story of Jericho and the rest of the conquest represents the nationalist propaganda of the Kingdom of Judah and their claims to the territory of the Kingdom of Israel after 722 BCE 3 those chapters were later incorporated into an early form of Joshua likely written late in the reign of King Josiah reigned 640 609 BCE and the book was revised and completed after the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 and possibly after the return from the Babylonian exile in 538 15 See also Edit Bible portal War portalAi Bible Biblical archaeology Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho African American spiritual about the battleReferences Edit Joshua 4 13 a b Jacobs 2000 p 691 a b Coote 2000 p 275 Dever 2006 p 47 Wagemakers 2014 pp 122ff Leslie J Hoppe September 2005 New light from old stories the Hebrew scriptures for today s world p 81 Paulist Press pp 82 ISBN 978 0 8091 4116 6 Retrieved 9 July 2011 a b Dever 2006 pp 45 46 a b Bruins amp van der Plicht 1995 p 213 Nigro 2020 p 202 Nigro 2020 pp 202 204 Nigro 2020 p 204 Killebrew 2005 p 152 Creach 2003 pp 9 10 Laffey 2007 p 337 Creach 2003 pp 10 11 Bibliography EditBruins Hendrik J van der Plicht Johannes 1995 Tell Es Sultan Jericho Radiocarbon Results PDF Radiocarbon Proceedings of the 15th International C Conference 37 2 213 220 doi 10 1017 S0033822200030666 Coote Robert B 2000 Conquest Biblical narrative In Freedman David Noel Myers Allen C eds Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible Eerdmans ISBN 978 9053565032 Creach Jerome F D 2003 Joshua Westminster John Knox Press ISBN 978 0664237387 Dever William G 2006 Who Were the Early Israelites and Where Did They Come From Eerdmans ISBN 978 0802844163 Jacobs Paul F 2000 Jericho In Freedman David Noel Myers Allen C eds Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible Eerdmans ISBN 978 9053565032 Killebrew Ann E 2005 Biblical Peoples and Ethnicity An Archaeological Study of Egyptians Canaanites and Early Israel 1300 1100 B C E Society of Biblical Literature ISBN 978 1589830974 Laffey Alice L 2007 Deuteronomistic history In Espin Orlando O Nickoloff James B eds An introductory dictionary of theology and religious studies Liturgical Press ISBN 978 0814658567 Moore Megan Bishop Kelle Brad E 2011 Biblical History and Israel s Past Eerdmans ISBN 978 0802862600 Nigro Lorenzo 2020 The Italian Palestinian Expedition to Tell es Sultan Ancient Jericho 1997 2015 In Sparks Rachel T Finlayson Bill Wagemakers Bart SJ Josef Mario Briffa eds Digging Up Jericho Past Present and Future Archaeopress Publishing Ltd ISBN 978 1789693522 Wagemakers Bart 2014 Archaeology in the Land of Tells and Ruins A History of Excavations in the Holy Land Inspired by the Photographs and Accounts of Leo Boer Oxbow Books ISBN 978 1782972464 External links Edit Media related to The Battle of Jericho at Wikimedia Commons Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Battle of Jericho amp oldid 1133380692, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
