Biblical Description Of Jericho's Wall Circumference
The biblical description of Jericho's wall circumference is rooted in the account of its conquest in Joshua 6. The city's walls were a significant feature, with houses built upon them [1, 2]. According to Joshua 6:20, the walls fell down flat when the Israelites marched around the city and shouted, as instructed by God.
The circumference of Jericho's walls is not directly stated in the biblical account. However, archaeological excavations and historical records provide some insight. The city's ancient walls were likely substantial, given its importance as a fortress in Canaan [1].
The Babylonian Talmud offers an interpretation of the walls' dimensions, suggesting that their width and height were equal, which led to their being "swallowed up" when they fell [6, 7, 8]. This interpretation is based on Joshua 6:20, which describes the walls falling down flat.
In biblical literature, the dimensions of other structures are sometimes given. For example, Ezekiel describes a wall surrounding a holy area as being 500 cubits in length and breadth [3]. The wall of the New Jerusalem is described in Revelation as being 144 cubits thick [4].
The significance of Jericho's walls lies not only in their physical dimensions but also in their spiritual and historical importance. The city's conquest marked a significant event in Israel's history, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness [5, 9].
Different traditions have understood the account of Jericho's walls in various ways. The Jewish (Rabbinic) tradition, as represented in the Babylonian Talmud, emphasizes the miraculous nature of the walls' collapse [6, 7, 8]. Christian interpreters, such as John Gill, view the event as a demonstration of faith and obedience [5].
While the exact circumference of Jericho's walls remains unknown, the biblical account and historical records provide a glimpse into the city's significance and the importance of its walls. The event continues to be interpreted and understood in various ways by different traditions.
The historical context of Jericho's conquest is also noteworthy. The city was a key stronghold in Canaan, and its capture marked a crucial step in the Israelites' possession of the land [1, 2]. The account of Jericho's walls serves as a reminder of God's power and faithfulness in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Jericho — Place of fragrance, a fenced city in the midst of a vast grove of palm trees, in the plain of Jordan, over against the place where that river was crossed by the Israelites (Josh. 3:16). Its site was near the Ain es-Sultan, Elisha's Fountain (2 Kings 2:19-22), about 5 miles west of Jordan. It was the most important city in the Jordan valley (Num. 22:1; 34:15), and the strongest fortress in all the land of Canaan. It was the key to Western Palestine. This city was taken in a very remarkable manner by the Israelites (Josh. 6). God gave it into their hands. The”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Jericho — (place of fragrance), a city of high antiquity, situated in a plain traversed by the Jordan, and exactly over against where that river was crossed by the Israelites under Joshua. (Joshua 3:16) It was five miles west of the Jordan and seven miles northwest of the Dead Sea. It had a king. Its walls were so considerable that houses were built upon them. ch. (Joshua 2:15) The spoil that was found in it betokened its affluence. Jericho is first mentioned as the city to which the two spies were sent by Joshua from Shittim. (Joshua 2:1-21) It was bestowed by him up”
- Ezekiel “He measured it on the four sides: it had a wall around it, the length five hundred, and the breadth five hundred, to make a separation between that which was holy and that which was common. -- Ezekiel 42:20”
- Revelation “Its wall is one hundred forty-four cubits, by the measure of a man, that is, of an angel. -- Revelation 21:17”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 11:28: By faith the walls of Jericho fell down,.... Of themselves, not from any natural cause: the Jews say (n) they sunk right down into the ground, and were swallowed up; even the whole wall fell round about, as the Septuagint version in Jos 6:20 expresses it: or, it may be, only that which was over against the camp of Israel, as Kimchi observes; since Rahab's house was built upon the wall, and yet fell not. And this was by the faith of Joshua, and the Israelites, who believed the walls would fall, at the sound of the rams' horns, as God said they should: after they were”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 128a.108:11: The baraita also taught that we recite a blessing for the wall of Jericho that was swallowed up in its place. The Gemara asks: Were the walls of Jericho swallowed up into the ground? Didn’t they fall, as it is stated: “And it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the shofar , that the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat” (Joshua 6:20)? The Gemara explains: Since the width and height of the walls were equal to one another, therefore, they were swallowed. Had they merely fallen it would have had no effect, as their wi”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 128b.108:11: The baraita also taught that we recite a blessing for the wall of Jericho that was swallowed up in its place. The Gemara asks: Were the walls of Jericho swallowed up into the ground? Didn’t they fall, as it is stated: “And it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the shofar , that the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat” (Joshua 6:20)? The Gemara explains: Since the width and height of the walls were equal to one another, therefore, they were swallowed. Had they merely fallen it would have had no effect, as their wi”
- Babylonian Talmud (Jewish (Rabbinic)) “Babylonian Talmud, Berakhot 54b.11: The baraita also taught that we recite a blessing for the wall of Jericho that was swallowed up in its place. The Gemara asks: Were the walls of Jericho swallowed up into the ground? Didn’t they fall, as it is stated: “And it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the shofar , that the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat” (Joshua 6:20)? The Gemara explains: Since the width and height of the walls were equal to one another, therefore, they were swallowed. Had they merely fallen it would have had no effect, as their width w”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 11:30: The walls of Jericho fell down - This is particularly explained Jos 6:1, etc. God had promised that the walls of Jericho should fall down, if they compassed them about seven days. They believed, did as they were commanded, and the promise was fulfilled.”