Jericho, often called the “City of Palms” (Deuteronomy 34:3), is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and holds a pivotal place in biblical history. Situated near the Jordan River in the Jordan Valley, Jericho was the first city conquered by the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. According to Joshua 6, the Israelites marched around the city once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. At the blast of trumpets and a great shout, the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed, allowing the Israelites to take the city-an event that demonstrated God's power and Israel's obedience in claiming His promise.
Archaeologically, Tell es-Sultan, the site of ancient Jericho, has revealed massive collapsed walls, towers, and evidence of destruction by fire-features some scholars believe correspond with the biblical account. Excavations also show Jericho as a well-fortified city during the Late Bronze Age, aligning with the time of the conquest. Later, in the New Testament, Jericho appears again as a place where Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) and met Zacchaeus, the repentant tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree to see Him (Luke 19:1-10). For Bible students, Jericho stands as a powerful symbol of God’s faithfulness, judgment, and mercy-a place where human walls fall before divine will and hearts are invited into repentance and renewal.
Jericho, often called the “City of Palms” (Deuteronomy 34:3), is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and holds a pivotal place in biblical history. Situated near the Jordan River in the Jordan Valley, Jericho was the first city conquered by the Israelites as they entered the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua. According to Joshua 6, the Israelites marched around the city once a day for six days and seven times on the seventh day. At the blast of trumpets and a great shout, the walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed, allowing the Israelites to take the city-an event that demonstrated God's power and Israel's obedience in claiming His promise.
Archaeologically, Tell es-Sultan, the site of ancient Jericho, has revealed massive collapsed walls, towers, and evidence of destruction by fire-features some scholars believe correspond with the biblical account. Excavations also show Jericho as a well-fortified city during the Late Bronze Age, aligning with the time of the conquest. Later, in the New Testament, Jericho appears again as a place where Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46-52) and met Zacchaeus, the repentant tax collector who climbed a sycamore tree to see Him (Luke 19:1-10). For Bible students, Jericho stands as a powerful symbol of God’s faithfulness, judgment, and mercy-a place where human walls fall before divine will and hearts are invited into repentance and renewal.