Joshua 6:26
And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּשְׁבַּ֣ע
adjured
H7650
וַיַּשְׁבַּ֣ע
adjured
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
1 of 22
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
בָּעֵ֥ת
them at that time
H6256
בָּעֵ֥ת
them at that time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
3 of 22
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַהִ֖יא
H1931
הַהִ֖יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 22
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
הָאִ֜ישׁ
be the man
H376
הָאִ֜ישׁ
be the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 22
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֣י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֗ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יָקוּם֙
that riseth up
H6965
יָקוּם֙
that riseth up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
11 of 22
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָעִ֤יר
this city
H5892
הָעִ֤יר
this city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
14 of 22
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יְיַסְּדֶ֔נָּה
he shall lay the foundation
H3245
יְיַסְּדֶ֔נָּה
he shall lay the foundation
Strong's:
H3245
Word #:
19 of 22
to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult
וּבִצְעִיר֖וֹ
and in his youngest
H6810
וּבִצְעִיר֖וֹ
and in his youngest
Strong's:
H6810
Word #:
20 of 22
little; (in number) few; (in age) young, (in value) ignoble
Cross References
1 Kings 16:34In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.Acts 19:13Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.Matthew 26:63But Jesus held his peace. And the high priest answered and said unto him, I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.
Historical Context
Jericho remained ruins for approximately five centuries until Hiel's ill-fated rebuilding during Ahab's reign (874-853 BC). The site was used for temporary settlements but not fortified. This curse distinguished Jericho from other conquered cities like Ai, which were rebuilt. Joshua pronounced this oath circa 1406 BC, likely at the ruins before Israel's assembled tribes.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the curse's precise fulfillment centuries later teach about God's sovereign control over history and human choices?
- How should believers today view 'rebuilding' what God has judged—returning to condemned sins or compromised ministries?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Joshua adjured them (וַיַּשְׁבַּע, vayashba)—This solemn oath formula invoked God's name as witness and enforcer. Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho—Jericho's ruins were to remain a perpetual testimony to God's judgment, like Sodom (Deuteronomy 29:23). Rebuilding would defy divine decree.
He shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates—This prophetic curse precisely fulfilled 500 years later when Hiel of Bethel rebuilt Jericho, losing his sons Abiram and Segub (1 Kings 16:34). The Hebrew syntax suggests the sons' deaths would bracket the construction, which occurred exactly. This demonstrates Scripture's supernatural foreknowledge and the deadly seriousness of despising God's judgments.