Joshua 6:17
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.
Original Language Analysis
וְהָֽיְתָ֨ה
H1961
וְהָֽיְתָ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הָעִ֥יר
And the city
H5892
הָעִ֥יר
And the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 23
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
חֵ֛רֶם
shall be accursed
H2764
חֵ֛רֶם
shall be accursed
Strong's:
H2764
Word #:
3 of 23
physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination
הִ֥יא
H1931
הִ֥יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 23
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
even it and all that are therein to the LORD
H3068
לַֽיהוָ֑ה
even it and all that are therein to the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
8 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רַק֩
H7535
רַק֩
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
הַזּוֹנָ֜ה
the harlot
H2181
הַזּוֹנָ֜ה
the harlot
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
11 of 23
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
תִּֽחְיֶ֗ה
shall live
H2421
תִּֽחְיֶ֗ה
shall live
Strong's:
H2421
Word #:
12 of 23
to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive
הִ֚יא
H1931
הִ֚יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
13 of 23
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
15 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אִתָּ֣הּ
H854
אִתָּ֣הּ
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
16 of 23
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בַּבַּ֔יִת
she and all that are with her in the house
H1004
בַּבַּ֔יִת
she and all that are with her in the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
17 of 23
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים
the messengers
H4397
הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים
the messengers
Strong's:
H4397
Word #:
21 of 23
a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 20:17But thou shalt utterly destroy them; namely, the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites; as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee:James 2:25Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?Micah 4:13Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.Hebrews 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.Hebrews 11:31By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.1 Corinthians 2:7But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:Matthew 25:40And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.Genesis 12:3And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.Galatians 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.Galatians 3:12And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
Historical Context
The herem command appears throughout conquest narratives, requiring complete destruction of certain cities. This served multiple purposes: divine judgment on Canaanite sin (Deuteronomy 9:5), preventing idolatrous influence (Deuteronomy 7:1-5), and demonstrating that conquest served God's purposes, not mere land-grabbing. Modern readers struggle with these accounts, but understanding them as God's holy judgment on sinful nations (similar to Noah's flood) helps. Rahab's salvation demonstrates that even under judgment, God saves those who believe.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you reconcile God's judgment on Canaanites with His character of love and mercy?
- What does Rahab's salvation amid judgment teach about grace reaching even the most unlikely?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The herem (devoted to destruction) command—'And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live'—required total destruction except Rahab's family. The term 'accursed' (Hebrew herem) means devoted exclusively to God, requiring either consecration or destruction. Jericho's wealth went to God's treasury, not Israel's pockets. This demonstrates that holy war served divine judgment, not human profit. Rahab's exception shows mercy within judgment—grace rescues believers from deserved wrath.