Hebrew · Strong's H3405
יְרִיחוֹ
(yer-ee-KHO)
proper noun
Jericho was an ancient and strategically important city in the Jordan valley, frequently mentioned in the Old Testament.
Jericho is a significant geographical location in the Old Testament, first appearing in the book of Numbers as a landmark for the Israelites before entering the Promised Land. The city is perhaps best known for its miraculous fall to Joshua and the Israelite army, as recorded in the book of Joshua. This event, accomplished by divine power rather than military might, symbolized God's faithfulness to his covenant promises and his ability to grant victory to his people. The association of Jericho with this event imbued it with a special theological significance as a testament to divine intervention in human history. Its strategic location near the Jordan River made it a key site for territorial divisions and travel routes. While some passages refer to the city itself, others use "Jericho" as a geographical marker to describe the surrounding region or the plains of Jericho. Its frequent appearance in narrative and geographical contexts highlights its prominence in ancient Israelite history and its symbolic importance as an early conquest in the land of Canaan. The city was later rebuilt, as noted in 1 Kings, again demonstrating its enduring importance.
Common English renderings
- Jericho
- Jericho
- Jericho
Key verses
"And their border on the north quarter was from the Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north, and went up through the hill-country westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Beth-aven."
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"In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof with the loss of Abiram his first-born, and set up the gates thereof with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun."
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"And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,"
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"And Jehovah spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,"
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"But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him."
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