Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse highlights that everything in the city was destroyed, including animals, to prevent any appearance of plunder. This wasn't about acquiring wealth, but about enacting God's complete judgment on a wicked place.
Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed, the Israelites surged into the city, completely annihilating everything within its walls. This wasn't just a victory; it was a divine judgment, a complete purging of a wicked civilization where even the animals were destroyed to prevent any association with the spoils of sin. The only exception was the household of Rahab, who had protected Israel's spies, demonstrating that faith and obedience could grant salvation even in utter destruction.
Imagine dedicating everything to God – not keeping a single thing for yourself. This wasn't about spoils of war; it was a radical act of obedience.
The command to 'utterly destroy' (or 'devote to destruction') everything in Jericho, including possessions and livestock, was a profound statement.
A Divine Decree
This wasn't the Israelites deciding to take everything. It was God's specific instruction, a solemn decree for the city of Jericho. This total destruction served a crucial purpose:
How can a loving God command such destruction? This passage reveals a difficult but crucial aspect of His character: His justice against sin.
The destruction of Jericho, including men, women, and children, is one of the most challenging passages in Scripture. Understanding it requires looking at God's perfect justice and His long-suffering mercy.
Ask a follow-up
The Gravity of Sin
The Canaanites had reached a peak of corruption over centuries. God, the ultimate judge, decreed their destruction. This wasn't arbitrary cruelty, but a righteous judgment:
A Glimpse of Mercy
Even within this severe judgment, God demonstrated His mercy. The sparing of Rahab and her family stands as a powerful testament to this. Her faith, though imperfect, was recognized and rewarded, showing that God makes a way for those who seek Him, even in the midst of judgment.
Understand the original words
cherem · Hebrew Noun/Verb
The act of setting something apart as holy, often involving the total destruction of items or people devoted to God as a judgment or a consecration. It signifies that the object or entity is no longer for human use but belongs entirely to the Lord.
The complete destruction of Jericho, including animals, wasn't about plunder but served as a stark, divine judgment against a deeply wicked people and a warning to Israel about obedience and the holiness required in their new land.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Enter the Promised Land
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, preparing to conquer its inhabitants.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Siege and Fall of Jericho
Following God's specific instructions, the Israelites march around Jericho for seven days. On the seventh day, they shout, and the city walls collapse, allowing them to conquer the city.
c. 1446 BC
Jericho Devoted to Destruction
As commanded by God, all living things in Jericho – men, women, young and old, and animals – are utterly destroyed, with only Rahab and her household spared for hiding the Israelite spies.
c. 1446 BC
Theft by Achan
Following the destruction of Jericho, Achan secretly takes forbidden plunder, leading to Israel's defeat at Ai and revealing God's displeasure.
c. 1446 BC
Conquest of Ai and Setup of Altar
After dealing with Achan's sin, the Israelites successfully conquer Ai. They then set up an altar to the Lord on Mount Ebal, as commanded in the Law.
c. 1446 BC
Covenant Renewal at Mount Ebal
Joshua, following God's command, reads the blessings and curses of the Law to the people at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, solidifying their covenant commitment.
This passage sets the stage for the destruction of the Canaanites, explaining God's command to devote them to destruction, which Joshua and Israel carried out at Jericho. It highlights that this was not a spontaneous act of violence but a divine judgment on deeply entrenched sin.
Deuteronomy 20:16-17This is the broader command concerning cities outside of Canaan, but it's cited as a basis for the specific action at Jericho. It shows the principle of utter destruction for the inhabitants and possessions of those who aggressively opposed God's people, reflecting God's judgment.
1 Samuel 15:3This passage describes Saul's disobedience in failing to utterly destroy the Amalekites, including their livestock, as God commanded. It contrasts with Israel's obedience at Jericho and underscores the serious consequences of failing to carry out God's complete judgment.
Hebrews 11:30-31This New Testament passage recounts the fall of Jericho by faith and highlights Rahab's role. It shows that while judgment fell on the disobedient, Rahab, who showed faith and hospitality, was saved, illustrating the distinction between judgment and mercy.
Revelation 18:4-8This prophetic passage speaks of the future judgment on Babylon, calling God's people to come out of her so they do not share in her sins and plagues. It echoes the theme of divine judgment on a wicked city and the separation required for God's people.
clarkeJoshua 6:21: "And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword."
They utterly destroyed - both man, and woman, etc. - As this act was ordered by God himself, who is the Maker and Judge of all men, it must be right: for the Judge of all the earth cannot do wrong. Nothing that breathed was permitted to live; hence the oxen, sheep, and asses, were destroyed, as well as the inhabitants.
calvinJoshua 6:20-27: "So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city."
- So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout,…
The verse highlights that everything in the city was destroyed, including animals, to prevent any appearance of plunder. This wasn't about acquiring wealth, but about enacting God's complete judgment on a wicked place.
After the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed, the Israelites surged into the city, completely annihilating everything within its walls. This wasn't just a victory; it was a divine judgment, a complete purging of a wicked civilization where even the animals were destroyed to prevent any association with the spoils of sin. The only exception was the household of Rahab, who had protected Israel's spies, demonstrating that faith and obedience could grant salvation even in utter destruction.
After the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed, the Israelites surged into the city, completely annihilating everything within its walls. This wasn't just a victory; it was a divine judgment, a complete purging of a wicked civilization where even the animals were destroyed to prevent any association with the spoils of sin. The only exception was the household of Rahab, who had protected Israel's spies, demonstrating that faith and obedience could grant salvation even in utter destruction.
"Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword." — The verse highlights that everything in the city was destroyed, including animals, to prevent any appearance of plunder. This wasn't about acquiring wealth, but about enacting God's complete judgme…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026