Joshua 6:26

KJV

And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying, Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joshua {H3091} adjured {H7650} them at that time {H6256}, saying {H559}, Cursed {H779} be the man {H376} before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, that riseth up {H6965} and buildeth {H1129} this city {H5892} Jericho {H3405}: he shall lay the foundation {H3245} thereof in his firstborn {H1060}, and in his youngest {H6810} son shall he set up {H5324} the gates {H1817} of it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshua then made the people take this oath: "A curse before ADONAI on anyone who rises up and rebuilds this city of Yericho: he will lay its foundation with the loss of his firstborn son and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son."

Berean Standard Bible

At that time Joshua invoked this solemn oath: “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho; at the cost of his firstborn he will lay its foundations; at the cost of his youngest he will set up its gates.”

American Standard Version

And Joshua charged them with an oath at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before Jehovah, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: with the loss of his first-born shall he lay the foundation thereof, and with the loss of his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 6:26 records a profound and solemn adjuration issued by Joshua immediately after the miraculous collapse of Jericho's walls, declaring a severe curse upon anyone who would dare to rebuild the city. This pronouncement serves as a stark warning against defying God's explicit command concerning Jericho, which was designated as *cherem* (devoted for destruction) to the Lord, thereby preserving its status as a permanent memorial of divine judgment and power.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic pronouncement following the dramatic and supernatural fall of Jericho, detailed in [Joshua 6](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho"). After the city's walls miraculously collapsed at the sound of the trumpets and the people's shout ([Joshua 6:20](/joshua/6-20 "Joshua 6:20 - The Walls Fall")), the Israelites entered and executed God's command to utterly destroy everything within the city, except for Rahab and her family ([Joshua 6:21-25](/joshua/6-21 "Joshua 6:21-25 - Destruction of Jericho and Salvation of Rahab")). The city and its contents were declared *cherem*, "devoted" or "set apart" to the LORD for complete destruction, symbolizing that the first victory in the Promised Land belonged entirely to God and served as a firstfruits offering. Joshua's curse in [Joshua 6:26](/joshua/6-26 "Joshua 6:26 - Joshua's Curse on Jericho") solidifies the permanence of this destruction, ensuring that no one would attempt to reverse God's judgment by rebuilding the city, thus preserving its status as a perpetual monument to God's power and judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of *cherem* (herem) was a specific practice in ancient Israelite warfare, where cities or peoples were "devoted" to God for utter destruction. This was not merely an act of conquest but a religious consecration, often applied to particularly wicked or idolatrous cities, signifying God's judgment and the purification of the land for His holy people. Jericho, as the first city conquered, was a "firstfruits" of the land, and its complete destruction underscored God's absolute ownership and authority. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often employed solemn oaths and curses, which were believed to have real, binding power, often invoking divine judgment. The mention of losing one's "firstborn" and "youngest son" in the curse was particularly devastating, symbolizing a complete and utter loss of lineage, legacy, and prosperity, striking at the very heart of a family's future and identity in a patriarchal society. This was not just a personal tragedy but a public disgrace and a sign of divine disfavor.
* **Key Themes:** [Joshua 6:26](/joshua/6-26 "Joshua 6:26 - Joshua's Curse on Jericho") powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Authority and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over the land and His unwavering judgment against wickedness, as seen in Jericho's complete destruction. Secondly, it highlights the **Seriousness of Disobedience**, emphasizing that defying a direct command from God, especially one concerning a sacred act of judgment, carries severe and lasting consequences. Rebuilding Jericho would be an act of overt rebellion against God's specific instruction and a disregard for its consecrated, destroyed status. Finally, the curse functions as a **Prophetic Foresight**. It is not merely a warning but a divinely inspired prophecy, which would be literally fulfilled centuries later, as recorded in [1 Kings 16:34](/1_kings/16-34 "1 Kings 16:34 - Hiel Rebuilds Jericho"), demonstrating God's perfect memory, the certainty of His word, and His faithfulness to execute both blessing and judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Adjured (Hebrew, _shava'_):** This verb signifies "to make an oath," "to swear," or "to put under oath." It implies a solemn, binding declaration, often accompanied by an appeal to God as witness and enforcer. Joshua was not merely issuing a command but placing the people under a sacred, covenantal obligation before the LORD, indicating the extreme seriousness and divine origin of the curse that followed.
* **Cursed (Hebrew, _'arar'_):** This term denotes a binding imprecation, a declaration of divine judgment or misfortune upon someone for an act of disobedience or rebellion. It is a powerful word that invokes God's active opposition and adverse consequences. The use of *'arar* here emphasizes that the curse is not merely Joshua's word but a pronouncement of God's own judgment against future defiance.
* **Firstborn... youngest son (Hebrew, _bekhor... tza'ir ben_):** This phrase is a merism, a literary device where two extremes represent the whole. Losing the firstborn (the heir, the strength of the family) and the youngest (the completion of the family, often the beloved) signifies the complete and utter destruction of a lineage. It implies that the rebuilder would face a comprehensive and devastating loss, affecting their entire family and legacy from beginning to end.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joshua adjured [them] at that time, saying":** This sets the scene for a formal, solemn declaration. "At that time" emphasizes the immediate aftermath of Jericho's fall, linking the curse directly to the divine judgment enacted upon the city. Joshua, as God's chosen leader, acts as the mouthpiece for this divine pronouncement, placing the people under a binding oath.
* **"Cursed [be] the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho":** This is the core of the curse, directed at any individual who would dare to rebuild what God had utterly destroyed. The phrase "before the LORD" underscores that this curse is divinely sanctioned and enforced, making the act of rebuilding not just a human transgression but an affront to God Himself. Jericho's destruction was a permanent, sacred act.
* **"he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest [son] shall he set up the gates of it":** This specifies the devastating consequences of the curse. The rebuilder would suffer the loss of his eldest son at the commencement of the rebuilding project (laying the foundation) and his youngest son at its completion (setting up the gates). This is a precise and horrific prophecy of familial devastation, ensuring that the act of rebuilding would be marked by profound personal tragedy and the ultimate extinction of the rebuilder's direct lineage.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent **Literary Devices**. The primary device is **Prophecy**, as Joshua's words are not merely a warning but a direct foretelling of future events and their consequences, which would be literally fulfilled centuries later by Hiel the Bethelite ([1 Kings 16:34](/1_kings/16-34 "1 Kings 16:34 - Hiel Rebuilds Jericho")). The use of "firstborn" and "youngest son" is a **Merism**, a figure of speech where two contrasting parts represent the whole, emphasizing the complete and utter destruction of the rebuilder's family line from beginning to end. The entire pronouncement functions as an **Adjuration**, a solemn and binding oath, which underscores the gravity and divine authority of the command. Furthermore, Jericho itself, in its destroyed state, serves as **Symbolism** – a permanent memorial of God's judgment against sin and His absolute sovereignty over the land and its inhabitants.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua's curse on Jericho profoundly illustrates God's absolute sovereignty, the immutable nature of His word, and the severe consequences of disobedience to divine commands. The destruction of Jericho was not merely a military victory but a theological statement—a *cherem* act signifying God's judgment on Canaanite wickedness and His purification of the land for His holy people. To rebuild it would be to defy God's explicit will, to attempt to reverse a divine decree, and to desecrate a place consecrated by divine judgment. This highlights that God's commands are not arbitrary suggestions but binding instructions that carry eternal weight, demonstrating that rebellion against His specific will invites His certain and devastating judgment.

* [Deuteronomy 27:15-26](/deuteronomy/27-15 "Deuteronomy 27:15-26 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [1 Kings 16:34](/1_kings/16-34 "1 Kings 16:34 - Hiel Rebuilds Jericho and Fulfills the Curse")
* [Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - The Curse of the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 6:26 serves as a powerful and enduring reminder of the seriousness with which God regards His commands and the certainty of His word, whether in blessing or judgment. It calls us to a profound respect for divine authority and a sober understanding that attempting to undo or disregard what God has clearly judged or set apart carries severe spiritual consequences. Just as Jericho was to remain a perpetual monument to God's judgment, there are spiritual "Jerichos" in our lives—areas God has called us to utterly destroy (sin, idols, old habits) and never rebuild. This verse challenges us to consider where we might be tempted to "rebuild" what God has torn down, to compromise on His clear instructions, or to disregard the lessons of His past judgments. It encourages us to live in faithful obedience, trusting that God's ways are always just and His warnings are always true, ultimately for our good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "Jerichos" in my life or society has God clearly judged or called for complete destruction (e.g., specific sins, destructive patterns, idolatries)?**
* **Am I tempted to "rebuild" or compromise on areas that God has clearly commanded me to abandon or destroy? What might be the spiritual consequences of such actions?**
* **How does the literal fulfillment of this curse centuries later deepen my trust in the enduring truth and certainty of God's prophetic word, both concerning judgment and blessing?**

### FAQ
**Why was Jericho cursed, and why was its rebuilding forbidden?**

Answer: Jericho was cursed because it was declared *cherem*, meaning "devoted" or "set apart" to the LORD for complete destruction. As the first city conquered in the Promised Land, it was considered the "firstfruits" of the conquest, and its utter destruction symbolized that the victory belonged entirely to God. Forbidding its rebuilding ensured it would remain a permanent memorial of God's power, judgment against wickedness, and the consequences of defying His explicit commands. Rebuilding it would have been an act of rebellion against God's sovereign will and an attempt to reverse a divine decree.

**Was Joshua's curse on Jericho literally fulfilled?**

Answer: Yes, the curse was literally and tragically fulfilled centuries later. [1 Kings 16:34](/1_kings/16-34 "1 Kings 16:34 - Hiel Rebuilds Jericho") records that during the reign of King Ahab, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. In doing so, he lost his firstborn son, Abiram, when he laid the foundation, and his youngest son, Segub, when he set up the gates, precisely as Joshua had prophesied. This fulfillment serves as a powerful testament to the certainty and enduring nature of God's word.

**What is the relevance of this ancient curse for believers today?**

Answer: While the specific curse on Jericho is historical, its underlying principles remain profoundly relevant. It underscores the seriousness of God's commands and the consequences of disobedience ([Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")). It teaches us that God's word is immutable and that His judgments, though sometimes delayed, are certain. Spiritually, it reminds us that there are "Jerichos" in our lives—sinful habits, idolatrous attachments, or worldly patterns—that God calls us to utterly destroy and never rebuild, lest we invite spiritual consequences. It encourages absolute obedience and trust in God's perfect will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua's curse on Jericho, a city under divine judgment, foreshadows the ultimate curse of sin that humanity faced, and its complete and devastating fulfillment points to the radical nature of God's judgment and His perfect word. Yet, in Christ, we find the ultimate fulfillment and reversal of all curses. The curse pronounced on the rebuilder of Jericho, leading to the death of his firstborn and youngest, powerfully illustrates the comprehensive devastation brought by rebellion against God. However, [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse") declares that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bore the full weight of God's righteous judgment against sin on the cross, becoming cursed in our place, so that we might receive the blessing of Abraham and the Spirit ([Galatians 3:14](/galatians/3-14 "Galatians 3:14 - The Blessing of Abraham")). Just as Jericho was utterly destroyed as a testament to God's judgment on wickedness, Christ's death marked the decisive defeat of sin and death, rendering them powerless for those who believe ([Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Death Destroys the Devil's Power")). Through His resurrection, He established a new creation, a spiritual "city" that will never be cursed or rebuilt by human hands, but is eternally secure in Him ([Revelation 22:3](/revelation/22-3 "Revelation 22:3 - No More Curse")). Thus, the curse on Jericho, while a historical warning, ultimately points us to the glorious redemption found in Jesus, who fulfilled the curse and opened the way to eternal life and blessing.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 16:34

In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest [son] Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

Acts 19:13

¶ Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

Numbers 5:19

And the priest shall charge her by an oath, and say unto the woman, If no man have lain with thee, and if thou hast not gone aside to uncleanness [with another] instead of thy husband, be thou free from this bitter water that causeth the curse:

Numbers 5:21

Then the priest shall charge the woman with an oath of cursing, and the priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell;

Matthew 26:63

But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

1 Samuel 14:24

¶ And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed [be] the man that eateth [any] food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted [any] food.

1 Samuel 14:46

Then Saul went up from following the Philistines: and the Philistines went to their own place.