Key Verse Spotlight
Joshua 6:17 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing-and how to apply it today
Translation: King James Version
" 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. "
Joshua 6:17
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.
And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.
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.
And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the LORD: they shall come into the treasury of the LORD.
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What David said after Saul’s death fits this chapter even better: “Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon.” We would gladly draw a veil over this sad story, the adultery and murder David committed, and wish it had never been known or written down. But it cannot and must not be hidden. Scripture is honest about the failures even of the people it praises most. That shows the writers were sincere, and that they were not writing to defend any party.
Stories like this were written for our instruction, so that the one who thinks he stands may take care not to fall, and so that other people’s sins may warn us. Some readers have likely been encouraged in sin and hardened by this account, and for them it becomes “a smell of death that leads to death.” But many others have been stirred to a healthy fear of themselves, and to steady watchfulness against sin, and for them it becomes “a smell of life that leads to life.” The sins David commits here are very great, and they are made worse by his high calling and past privileges.
Here is the story in order. First, David committed adultery with Bathsheba, Uriah’s wife (2 Samuel 11:1-5). Second, he tried to make the child seem to be Uriah’s (2 Samuel 11:6-13). Third, when that plan failed, he arranged Uriah’s death by the sword of the Ammonites, and carried it out (2 Samuel 11:14-25). Fourth, he married Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:26-27).
Is this David, the man after God’s own heart? How his behavior has changed, and for the worse, more than before with Ahimelech. How the gold has grown dim. Let the reader understand what even the best people are like when God leaves them to themselves.
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From This Chapter
Joshua 6:1
"Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in."
Joshua 6:2
"And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour."
Joshua 6:3
"And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days."
Joshua 6:4
"And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets."
Joshua 6:5
"And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man"
Joshua 6:6
"And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark of the LORD."
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