Joshua 6:1
Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
Original Language Analysis
מִפְּנֵ֖י
because
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֖י
because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 10
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
יוֹצֵ֖א
none went out
H3318
יוֹצֵ֖א
none went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
8 of 10
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְאֵ֥ין
H369
Cross References
Joshua 2:24And they said unto Joshua, Truly the LORD hath delivered into our hands all the land; for even all the inhabitants of the country do faint because of us.Psalms 127:1Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
Historical Context
Jericho was ancient Canaan's gateway city, controlling access to the central hill country. Its spring made it a valuable oasis. The city's closure occurred circa 1406 BC after the Jordan crossing. Excavations at Tell es-Sultan reveal destruction layers consistent with Joshua's conquest, though dating remains debated among archaeologists.
Questions for Reflection
- How do people today 'shut themselves up' against God's word, choosing defensive isolation over repentant faith?
- What 'impossible fortresses' in your life seem impregnable until God intervenes sovereignly?
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Analysis & Commentary
Jericho was straitly shut up (סֹגֶרֶת וּמְסֻגֶּרֶת, sogeret u-mesugeret)—The Hebrew doubling emphasizes absolute closure: 'shut up and being shut up,' a hendiadys expressing Jericho's desperate lockdown. Archaeological evidence confirms Jericho's massive double walls (outer wall 6 feet thick, inner wall 12 feet thick) made it seemingly impregnable.
Because of the children of Israel—Terror had paralyzed Jericho. They chose passive defense over negotiation or attack, fulfilling God's promise to send fear before Israel (Exodus 23:27). Yet their fear was not saving faith like Rahab's. The city's closure illustrates humanity's futile attempts to wall out God's purposes—a vivid picture of hardened hearts resisting divine grace.