The Battle of Jericho marks the moment when the twelve tribes of Israel crossed the Jordan River and prepared to enter the Promised Land. Yahweh had released them from slavery in the land of Egypt and, under Moses’ leadership, guided them through nearly 40 years in the wilderness. Now, with Moses gone and Joshua leading the people, Israel stood ready to take hold of the land promised to their ancestors.
Joshua, son of Nun
After Moses died, Joshua son of Nun became the leader of the Israelites. Joshua was from the tribe of Ephraim, one of the sons of Joseph. Yahweh told him to be strong, courageous, and obedient to the Torah given through Moses. Joshua was chosen to guide the tribes into the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Levites, Israel’s priestly tribe, played a central role in this mission. They carried the Ark of the Covenant and walked at the front whenever Yahweh commanded the Israelites to move.
When the Israelites approached the city of Jericho, they faced a heavily fortified city with strong defenses. According to Joshua 6:2, Yahweh told Joshua, “I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty warriors.” In Biblical times, Jericho was sometimes called the “City of Giants” because of the powerful warriors who lived there, men known as the Gibborim.
Who were the Gibborim?
While the Gibborim were not necessarily as tall as the Nephilim, the giants mentioned in Genesis 6:4, they were still known for their strength and skill in battle. Genesis 6:4 explains that the Nephilim lived on the earth “in those days, and also afterward,” and that the “mighty warriors of old” were descended from them. Both Genesis 6:4 and Joshua 6:2 use the same Hebrew word (hag·gib·bō·rîm / gib·bō·w·rê) to describe these “mighty warriors.” Because of this shared vocabulary, some Bible scholars believe the Gibborim of Jericho may have been giants living in the land.
The Shofar and the March Around Jericho
Yahweh then gave Joshua instructions that did not match any normal military strategy. Israel was not to attack the walls or prepare siege weapons. Instead, a priest-led procession was to circle the city. This was unusual in ancient warfare but central in Hebrew life, where priests often led the way, showing that the battle belonged to Yahweh.
Seven priests carried shofars, trumpets made from ram’s horns. A shofar was crafted by heating, hollowing, and polishing a horn until it produced a clear, powerful sound. Shofars come in different shapes depending on the animal, but rams’ horns were the most common in ancient Israel. In ancient Israel, the shofar served several important purposes:
- Warnings: signaling danger or enemy approach
- Warfare: announcing movement or Yahweh’s presence
- Royal Announcements: introducing a new king to the Israelites
- Covenant Renewal: sounding during sacred assemblies and Feast days
- Gathering the Tribes: calling the twelve tribes of Israel together for important events
- Year of Jubilee: proclaiming the release of debts and freedom for the Israelites
For six days the priests blew the shofars as the Israelites marched once around the city. On the seventh day, they marched around Jericho seven times. At Joshua’s command, the priests blew one long, powerful blast, the Israelites shouted, and the walls of Jericho collapsed, opening the way for the tribes of Israel to enter the city.
Learn more about this famous Bible story in our Battle of Jericho Activity Book. A Teaching Guide is also available for download!
