THE CAPTURE OF JERICH This chapter describes the first and perhaps MOST decisive _action in_ the war. The impression it produced (Joshua 6:27) no doubt did much to decide the fortunes of subsequent campaigns. The strange method adopted, by divine injunction, for the reduction of the city, with its j... [ Continue Reading ]
YE SHALL COMPASS] The injunction was calculated to produce derision among the enemy, and so would be a discipline of humiliation for the Israelites. It would also put the Canaanites off their guard and hand them over an easy prey at the critical moment.... [ Continue Reading ]
RAMS' HORNS] rather, 'trumpets of jubilee' or 'loud trumpets.' It is the same word _yobel_ used in Leviticus 25:9. SEVEN is a sacred number among the Semites, and in the Bible signifies 'perfection.' The symbolism is very emphatic here.... [ Continue Reading ]
REREWARD] RV 'REARWARD'=REARGUARD. GOING ON, AND BLOWING] blowing continually.... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCURSED] Heb. _Kherem_='devoted,' i.e. irredeemably devoted (Leviticus 27:28) to the Lord. LXX has 'anathema,' the word which St. Paul uses in Romans 9:3 and elsewhere. It appears to denote a form of consecration, but that invariably with a view to destruction. In Leviticus 27:21; Leviticus 27:28 d... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WALL FELL DOWN FLAT] see note at beginning of chapter. This was not the first of Israel's sieges. They had already taken the cities of the Amorites, including Heshbon, which was strongly fortified (Numbers 21).... [ Continue Reading ]
AND LEFT THEM] lit. 'and. caused them to rest.'... [ Continue Reading ]
SHE DWELLETH IN ISRAEL _even_ UNTO THIS DAY] Unless Rahab's descendants are meant, this must be the touch of a contemporary chronicler (cp. Joshua 5:1 and Joshua 6:26). On Rahab and her incorporation into Israel, see note at beginning of Joshua 2. Apparently she had long been prepared (see on Joshua... [ Continue Reading ]
This 'inspired curse' of Joshua was fulfilled, after the lapse of some six centuries, in the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 16:34). Hiel the Bethelite incurred it, being the first, apparently, to attempt a complete rebuilding and fortification of the accursed city, although informal settlements seem to have... [ Continue Reading ]