And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
While the destruction of Jericho was total, the precious metals and metals were preserved, not for personal gain, but to be dedicated to God's treasury. This highlights a crucial distinction: even in victory and conquest, the ultimate ownership and purpose of all things belong to the Lord.
And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After the miraculous destruction of Jericho's walls, the Israelite army utterly annihilates the city and everyone within it, following God's command for complete destruction as a sacrifice of judgment. The only exceptions are the valuable metals like silver, gold, bronze, and iron, which are consecrated and set apart for the Lord's treasury. This meticulous segregation of plunder underscores that nothing of the conquered city, except what was specifically dedicated to God, was to be kept by the people.
Imagine conquering a wealthy city, but being forbidden to keep a single coin. What does that say about the mission?
The destruction of Jericho was a radical act of obedience, a complete offering to God. The people were not to enrich themselves from this conquest.
A Holy Sacrifice
Everything in Jericho was declared 'devoted' – set apart for destruction or for God's exclusive use. This wasn't about punishing the Canaanites just for the Israelites' benefit; it was about purifying the land as God commanded. The soldiers were not to claim plunder for themselves. This prevented greed from corrupting the victory and reinforced that the power to conquer belonged to God alone.
The Unburnable Remnants
Silver, gold, bronze, and iron couldn't be burned. These valuable items were therefore given directly to the Lord's treasury. This wasn't a reward for the soldiers, but an act of worship, dedicating the spoils of God's judgment to His service. It highlighted that even the material wealth of a doomed city ultimately belonged to the Creator.
While the city burned, one household was spared. What made Rahab and her family different?
The destruction of Jericho was comprehensive, but God's grace made a crucial exception for Rahab and her household, a testament to the power of faith.
Faith's Shield
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Joshua had promised Rahab safety because she protected his spies. This promise, made on behalf of God, was honored even amidst the total destruction. Rahab's act of faith—hiding the spies and aligning herself with Israel's God—was recognized and rewarded. Her family was gathered into her house, symbolizing their inclusion in her decision to trust in the Lord.
A New Beginning Outside the Camp
To ensure their separation from Jericho's sin and to allow for their spiritual integration, Rahab and her family were brought outside the Israelite camp. This was a physical representation of their spiritual transition—leaving behind their old life and preparing for a new one among God's people. Their salvation wasn't just an escape from fire, but an entry into God's covenant community.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
An Israelite title for Yahweh, the covenant-keeping God of Israel who revealed His name to Moses. It signifies His holiness, authority, and presence among His people.
otsar · Hebrew Noun
A storehouse or place where sacred gifts and wealth dedicated to God are kept. It symbolizes the recognition that all material blessings ultimately belong to the Creator.
The destruction of Jericho wasn't just a military victory; it was a divine judgment and a demonstration of God's power. The careful segregation of spoils for the Lord's treasury highlights that the conquest was not for Israel's personal gain but for God's glory and purpose.
~1446 BC
Israelites Enter Canaan
After 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, crossed the Jordan River and began their conquest of the Promised Land.
~1446 BC— this verse
The Fall of Jericho
Following God's specific instructions, the Israelites marched around Jericho for seven days, culminating in its walls miraculously falling down, allowing the city to be conquered.
~1446 BC
Destruction and Preservation of Jericho
The city of Jericho and its inhabitants were utterly destroyed by fire as a divine judgment, with the exception of Rahab and her family, who had aided the Israelite spies. Valuables like silver, gold, and metal vessels were set aside for the Lord's treasury.
~1446 BC
Joshua's Curse on Jericho
Joshua pronounced a curse on anyone who would attempt to rebuild the city of Jericho, dedicating its destruction as a testament to God's power.
~870 BC
Hiel Rebuilds Jericho
Centuries later, Hiel of Bethel defied Joshua's curse by rebuilding Jericho, resulting in the death of his eldest son as he laid the foundation and his youngest son as he set up the gates.
This passage mirrors the principle seen in Jericho, where forbidden plunder was to be destroyed or kept separate from personal gain, emphasizing God's jealousy for His holiness and the need to avoid His wrath through idolatry.
Leviticus 27:28-29This law explains the concept of 'devotion' or 'utter destruction' (the Hebrew word used for Jericho), where certain things were set apart for the Lord and could not be reclaimed or used by individuals, similar to how Jericho and its valuable contents were treated.
1 Samuel 15:3This passage shows Saul's failure to completely destroy the Amalekites and their possessions as commanded, highlighting the critical importance of obedience and the severe consequences of sparing what God has deemed devoted to destruction, unlike Joshua's obedience at Jericho.
Hebrews 11:31This verse highlights Rahab's inclusion with the faithful by faith, directly referencing her salvation during the destruction of Jericho, which underscores the mercy that can be shown even amidst divine judgment.
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,…
jfbJoshua 6:24: "And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD."
- burned the city … and all … therein—except the silver, gold, and other metals, which, as they would not burn, were added to the treasury of the sanctuary.
While the destruction of Jericho was total, the precious metals and metals were preserved, not for personal gain, but to be dedicated to God's treasury. This highlights a crucial distinction: even in victory and conquest, the ultimate ownership and purpose of all things belong to the Lord.
After the miraculous destruction of Jericho's walls, the Israelite army utterly annihilates the city and everyone within it, following God's command for complete destruction as a sacrifice of judgment. The only exceptions are the valuable metals like silver, gold, bronze, and iron, which are consecrated and set apart for the Lord's treasury. This meticulous segregation of plunder underscores that nothing of the conquered city, except what was specifically dedicated to God, was to be kept by the people.
After the miraculous destruction of Jericho's walls, the Israelite army utterly annihilates the city and everyone within it, following God's command for complete destruction as a sacrifice of judgment. The only exceptions are the valuable metals like silver, gold, bronze, and iron, which are consecrated and set apart for the Lord's treasury. This meticulous segregation of plunder underscores that nothing of the conquered city, except what was specifically dedicated to God, was to be kept by the people.
"And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD." — While the destruction of Jericho was total, the precious metals and metals were preserved, not for personal gain, but to be dedicated to God's treasury. This highlights a crucial distinction: even in…
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Last reviewed October 2026