or יְרֵחוֹ; or variation (1 Kings 16:34) יְרִיחֹה; perhaps from יָרֵחַ; its month; or else from רוּחַ; fragrant; Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine; Jericho.
Transliteration:Yᵉrîychôw
Pronunciation:yer-ee-kho'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵉrîychôw, `{{H3405}}`) refers exclusively to the ancient city of Jericho. Its etymology is debated, with two primary proposals:
1. **From יָרֵחַ (yārēaḥ, `{{H3394}}`):** This root means "moon." If derived from this, the name might suggest a city associated with lunar worship, or perhaps a descriptive term related to the shape of the oasis (crescent-like) or the appearance of the moon over the valley. The provided definition also offers "its month," though this connection is less clear in a geographical context.
2. **From רוּחַ (rûaḥ, `{{H7307}}`):** While רוּחַ primarily means "spirit," "wind," or "breath," in this specific etymological context, it is suggested to mean "fragrant." This derivation would highlight Jericho's renown as a fertile oasis, famous for its date palms and balsam trees, which produced pleasant scents and valuable commodities.
Regardless of its precise etymological origin, the semantic range of יְרִיחוֹ is singular: it denotes the specific geographical location, the city of Jericho, situated in the Jordan Valley of ancient Palestine. Variations in spelling, such as יְרֵחוֹ and יְרִיחֹה (as seen in [[1 Kings 16:34]]), confirm the consistent reference to this single, prominent city.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Jericho (יְרִיחוֹ, `{{H3405}}`) holds a prominent place in biblical narratives, appearing numerous times across both the Old and New Testaments:
* **Conquest of Canaan:** Its most iconic appearance is in the book of Joshua, where it is the first city encountered and conquered by the Israelites after crossing the Jordan River. The narrative in [[Joshua 2:1]] through [[Joshua 6:27]] details its miraculous fall, emphasizing divine intervention and Israelite obedience. Rahab, a harlot from Jericho, plays a crucial role in the spies' mission and is spared during the city's destruction ([[Joshua 2:1-24]], [[Joshua 6:17]], [[Joshua 6:25]]).
* **Tribal Allotment:** Following the conquest, Jericho is mentioned in the context of tribal boundaries, specifically as part of the territory allotted to the tribe of Benjamin ([[Joshua 18:12]], [[Joshua 18:21]]). It is also referred to as the "city of palm trees" ([[Deuteronomy 34:3]], [[Judges 1:16]], [[2 Chronicles 28:15]]), attesting to its fertility.
* **Prophetic Narratives:** In the Divided Monarchy, Jericho is the site where Hiel the Bethelite rebuilds its walls, fulfilling the curse pronounced by Joshua ([[1 Kings 16:34]] compared to [[Joshua 6:26]]). Later, the prophet Elisha performs a miracle in Jericho, purifying its unwholesome waters, which brings healing and fertility to the land ([[2 Kings 2:4-5]], [[2 Kings 2:18-22]]).
* **New Testament Ministry of Jesus:** Jericho features prominently in the Gospels as a location on the road to Jerusalem.
* Jesus heals blind Bartimaeus and another blind man near Jericho ([[Matthew 20:29]], [[Mark 10:46]], [[Luke 18:35]]).
* The encounter with Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector, occurs in Jericho, leading to his conversion and a demonstration of Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost ([[Luke 19:1-10]]).
* The famous Parable of the Good Samaritan is set on the dangerous road "down from Jerusalem to Jericho" ([[Luke 10:30]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of יְרִיחוֹ (`{{H3405}}`) naturally connects with several related words and concepts:
* **Etymological Candidates:**
* יָרֵחַ (yārēaḥ, `{{H3394}}`): "moon," suggesting a possible link to lunar worship or a descriptive quality.
* רוּחַ (rûaḥ, `{{H7307}}`): "spirit," "wind," but in this etymological context, "fragrant," highlighting the city's natural abundance and pleasantness.
* **Geographical Proximity:** Jericho is often mentioned in conjunction with other significant locations in the Jordan Valley, such as the Jordan River (`{{H3383}}`), Gilgal (`{{H1537}}`), and the Dead Sea (`{{H3220}}`).
* **Thematic Connections:**
* **Conquest and Inheritance:** Associated with the broader theme of Israel's entry into and possession of the Promised Land, as seen in the book of Joshua.
* **Divine Curses and Blessings:** The curse pronounced by Joshua and its fulfillment in 1 Kings, contrasted with Elisha's purification of its waters.
* **Redemption and Healing:** In the New Testament, Jericho becomes a setting for Jesus' compassionate ministry, particularly acts of healing and the transformation of lives.
* **Hospitality and Compassion:** The story of Rahab and the Parable of the Good Samaritan both highlight aspects of care for the vulnerable and marginalized.
### Theological Significance
The city of Jericho, designated by יְרִיחוֹ (`{{H3405}}`), carries profound theological weight throughout biblical history:
* **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment:** The fall of Jericho is a monumental display of God's absolute sovereignty and His active intervention in human affairs. The unique method of conquest, relying on divine instruction rather than conventional warfare, underscores that victory belongs to the Lord ([[Joshua 6:2]]). It also represents God's righteous judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanites, paving the way for His covenant people to inherit the land.
* **Faith and Obedience:** The Israelites' meticulous obedience to God's seemingly irrational commands for conquering Jericho served as a powerful lesson in faith. Their trust in God's strategy, even when it defied human logic, was paramount to their success. Rahab's faith, a gentile woman who believed in the God of Israel, further exemplifies the universality of salvation through faith ([[Hebrews 11:31]]).
* **New Beginnings and Restoration:** As the first city conquered in Canaan, Jericho symbolizes the initial step into the Promised Land, marking a new era for Israel. Elisha's purification of Jericho's waters later signifies spiritual and physical restoration, turning barrenness into fruitfulness, mirroring God's desire to bring life and healing.
* **Christ's Redemptive Mission:** In the New Testament, Jericho becomes a stage for Jesus' incarnate ministry. His encounters with the blind men and Zacchaeus demonstrate His compassion for the outcast and His power to bring spiritual sight and salvation to those deemed unworthy. The parable of the Good Samaritan, set on the Jericho road, expands the concept of "neighbor" to include all humanity, emphasizing radical love and compassion as core tenets of the Kingdom of God, transcending ethnic and religious boundaries.
### Summary
Yᵉrîychôw (`{{H3405}}`), or Jericho, is a strategically important and symbolically rich city in biblical history. Its name likely alludes to either its ancient connection to the moon or its reputation as a "fragrant" oasis. From its dramatic conquest under Joshua, which powerfully illustrates divine power, Israelite obedience, and the execution of God's judgment, to its role as a setting for prophetic acts of restoration by Elisha, Jericho consistently serves as a backdrop for God's active involvement in the lives of His people. In the New Testament, Jericho becomes a significant location for Jesus' ministry, highlighting His compassion, His power to heal and transform lives, and the universal call to love and mercy exemplified in the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Across the biblical narrative, Jericho stands as a testament to God's sovereignty, His call to faith, and His ongoing work of redemption and restoration.
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