Walls of Jericho

The city of Jericho in the Biblical Promised Land, in the land of Israel, is shrouded in mystery. You have surely heard of it, as many have. But let’s be honest, apart from Joshua’s armies making the walls of Jericho come tumbling down, at God’s instruction, what else do you know about it? 

Jericho is one of the most ancient cities in the world, and you may be surprised to know it even has ties to Jesus. So, what else is there to know about this unique city? And where exactly is it? 

Jericho, Israel: In Ancient and Modern Significance

Jericho is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Archaeological excavations have uncovered layers of civilization dating back more than 10,000 years. 

The remains of ancient mudbrick walls have led many scholars to investigate the historical basis of the biblical account.

Where is Jericho Located in Israel Then and Now?

Jericho is situated in the West Bank, near the Jordan River, approximately 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the Dead Sea. It is about 27 kilometers (17 miles) east of Jerusalem, but it lies 850 feet (260 meters) below sea level! This makes it the lowest city on Earth in terms of elevation.

Today, Jericho is within the Palestinian territories and is under the administration of the Palestinian Authority. Despite political complexities, it remains a major historical and biblical site. 

Pilgrims and tourists often visit Jericho to find the ruins of the ancient walls of the city. But do these walls still exist? Read on to find out. 

What Does Jericho Mean?

The name Jericho has deep linguistic and historical roots. It is believed to derive from the Hebrew word “Yeriḥo” (יְרִיחוֹ), which has two possible meanings:

1. “Fragrant” – Some scholars suggest that Jericho comes from the Hebrew word “re-ach” (רֵיחַ), meaning fragrance or aroma. This interpretation aligns with Jericho’s nickname as the “City of Palms” (Deuteronomy 34:3), known for its lush vegetation, balsam groves, and date palms.
2. “Moon City” – Another possibility is that Jericho is linked to the Canaanite and Hebrew words for moon (“Ya-re-ach” – יָרֵחַ).

Jericho and Canaanite Pagan Worship

Before the Israelites conquered Jericho, it was a Canaanite city. The Canaanites were known for their polytheistic worship, including the veneration of Baal, Asherah, and other deities. Some scholars suggest that Jericho may have been associated with moon worship, which would correspond with one of the possible name meanings. 

The Canaanites widely worshiped the moon god, Yarikh, whose name is strikingly similar to Jericho. Yarikh was considered the god of the night sky, fertility, and timekeeping, and his influence would have been significant in agricultural societies like Jericho.

Biblical Indications of Idolatry in Canaanite Jericho

While the Bible does not single out Jericho as a hub of lunar worship, it does make it clear that Canaanite cities were filled with idol worship and detestable religious practices:

1. Deuteronomy 12:2-3 – God commands the Israelites to destroy the places of Canaanite worship, including high places, altars, and sacred stones.
2. Joshua 24:14-15 – Joshua warns Israel to forsake the gods their ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates and in Egypt, implying that foreign gods were still a temptation.
3. Judges 2:11-13 – After Joshua’s time, Israel repeatedly fell into Baal and Asherah worship, which were dominant in Canaanite cities.

Given these broader themes, it’s likely that Jericho, like other Canaanite strongholds, practiced idolatry, possibly including moon worship, before its destruction in Joshua 6.

Jericho in the Bible: A City of Miracles

Jericho is first mentioned in Numbers 22:1. The Israelites, under Moses’ leadership, camped near the city before entering the Promised Land. However, it is in Joshua 6 that Jericho takes center stage in biblical history.

After Moses’ death, Joshua became the leader of the Israelites and was tasked with leading them into Canaan. Jericho was the first city they encountered. It was a stronghold—fortified with massive walls that seemed impossible to breach. But God had a plan.

The Fall of the Walls of Jericho

Instead of attacking the city with traditional warfare, God gave Joshua specific instructions:

1. The Israelites were to march around Jericho once a day for six days, with seven priests carrying trumpets made from rams’ horns.
2. On the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times, and when the priests blew their trumpets, the people were to shout loudly.

As they obeyed God’s commands, the walls of Jericho collapsed, and the Israelites conquered the city. This miraculous event was not about military strategy but about faith and obedience. The victory at Jericho proved that God fights for His people when they trust in Him.

The fact that Jericho’s walls fell without military intervention shows that God’s power was greater than the pagan gods of Canaan. The conquest of Jericho wasn’t just a military victory—it was a spiritual declaration that Yahweh is the one true God over the false gods of Canaan.

How Big Were the Walls of Jericho?

Before the walls of Jericho fell to the Israelites in Joshua 6, they were a formidable defensive structure. Archaeological discoveries have given us a clearer picture of what Jericho’s fortifications may have looked like during that time.

Dimensions of Jericho’s Walls:

• Outer Wall Height: About 13–15 feet (4–5 meters) high
• Outer Wall Thickness: About 6 feet (1.8 meters) thick
• Retaining Wall Height: Approximately 12–15 feet (3.6–4.5 meters) high
• Total Height (from bottom of retaining wall to top of mudbrick wall): 25–30 feet (7.5–9 meters) high
• Estimated City Size: About 6 acres (2.5 hectares)
• Perimeter of the Walls: Likely around 2,000 feet (600 meters) long

Today, the ruins of ancient Jericho remain at Tel es-Sultan, an excavation site near modern Jericho. Visitors can see remains of the Neolithic tower and fragments of later city walls.

Structure of the Walls

Jericho’s defenses were not just one wall but a multi-layered fortification system:

1. A Stone Retaining Wall – At the base of the city stood a massive stone retaining wall (sometimes called a revetment wall), approximately 12-15 feet high.
2. A Mudbrick Wall on Top of the Retaining Wall – Above this stone base was a mudbrick wall, estimated to be another 13–15 feet high, making the total height from the ground 25–30 feet.
3. A Second Wall Higher Up – Inside the lower wall was another higher wall protecting the inner city.

When the Israelites marched around Jericho for seven days as instructed by God, the walls miraculously collapsed (Joshua 6:20), allowing them to take the city. 

Archaeological evidence, particularly from excavations by John Garstang (1930s) and Bryant Wood (1990s), suggests that Jericho’s walls indeed collapsed outward, which aligns with the biblical account.

A Curse Fulfilled: The Man Who Rebuilt the Walls of Jericho

After the miraculous destruction of Jericho’s walls, Joshua placed a solemn curse on anyone who attempted to rebuild the city. In Joshua 6:26, he declared:

“Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho: at the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest shall he set up its gates.”

Centuries later, during the reign of King Ahab, a man named Hiel of Bethel attempted to rebuild Jericho, and Joshua’s prophecy was tragically fulfilled. In 1 Kings 16:34, the Bible records:

“In Ahab’s time, Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho. He laid its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son Abiram, and he set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by Joshua son of Nun.”

This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the power of God’s word and the consequences of defying His commands. Hiel’s attempt to restore Jericho led to the loss of his own sons, showing that God’s decrees stand firm across generations. It also highlights the spiritual significance of Jericho—it was not just a city, but a place where God demonstrated His divine authority.

Learning from the Walls of Jericho Falling

The story of the walls of Jericho is more than just an ancient military conquest; it is a powerful lesson about faith and obedience. Sometimes, we face “walls” in our own lives—challenges that seem impossible to overcome. But just as God brought down the walls of Jericho, He can break through the barriers in our lives when we trust Him.

Applying the Story to Our Lives

• Trust God’s Timing – The Israelites had to wait seven days before seeing any effect of their obedience, when the walls fell. Sometimes, we must be patient and trust God’s plan.
• Act in Faith – Walking around a city and shouting may not have made sense from a human perspective, but the Israelites obeyed. Our obedience to God, even when it doesn’t make sense, leads to victory.
• God is Our Defender – The Israelites didn’t win the battle with swords or spears. God fought for them, just as He fights for us today.

Jericho—A City That Still Speaks

Whether viewed through the lens of biblical faith or archaeological discovery, Jericho is undoubtedly significant. The destruction of Jericho reminds us that God’s power is greater than any obstacle we face. The story of Jericho in the Bible is not just about an ancient city—it’s about the God who brings victory to those who trust Him.

What Did Jesus Do in Jericho?

According to the Gospels, Jesus must have visited Jericho more than once on His regular journeys to Jerusalem. And although He did not interact with its ancient walls, two significant events took place there that reflect His mission of redemption and transformation.

1. Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43, Matthew 20:29-34)

As Jesus was leaving Jericho, a blind man named Bartimaeus (and, according to Matthew, another blind man) sat by the roadside begging. When he heard that Jesus was passing by, he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47).

The crowd tried to silence him, but he cried even louder. Jesus stopped and called him, asking, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Bartimaeus answered, “Lord, I want to see!” Jesus healed him instantly, saying, “Your faith has made you well.”

This miracle in Jericho highlights Jesus as the Messianic King (“Son of David”) and the one who restores both physical and spiritual sight.

2. Jesus and Zacchaeus the Tax Collector (Luke 19:1-10)

One of the most famous events in Jericho was Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector. Zacchaeus was a wealthy man who was despised by the people, because tax collectors were seen as corrupt and traitorous to their fellow Jews.

Being short in stature, he climbed a sycamore tree to get a glimpse of Jesus as He passed through the city. Jesus saw him and said, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today!”

The crowd was shocked that Jesus would dine with a “sinner,” but Zacchaeus responded with repentance, saying he would give half of his wealth to the poor and repay four times whatever he had stolen. Jesus then declared, “Today salvation has come to this house!”

This story reveals Jesus’ mission: to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Even in a place like Jericho—once a city of judgment and destruction—Jesus brought redemption and restoration.

Jericho’s Walls That Fell

While Jesus did not directly reference or interact with the walls of Jericho, His ministry in the city symbolized different kinds of walls falling—the spiritual and social barriers that separated people from God:

• Bartimaeus’ blindness represented spiritual darkness, but through Jesus, his eyes were opened—both physically and spiritually.
• Zacchaeus’ wealth and corruption had built a wall between him and his community, but through Jesus, that wall came down as he repented and made things right.

In Joshua’s time, the walls of Jericho fell through God’s power so that His people could enter the Promised Land. In Jesus’ time, He broke down walls of sin, shame, and exclusion, bringing healing, salvation, and transformation to those who sought Him.

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Estimated reading time: 10 minutes