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‘And the Walls Came Tumbling Down’ – The History and Historicity of the Biblical Account of Jericho

Khalid Elhassan May 16, 2025 16 min

Jericho - Depiction of the Old Testament's description of Jericho's walls miraculously falling down — Depiction of the Old Testament's description of Jericho's walls miraculously falling down. Pinterest

4. The Middle Bronze Age, Circa 2000 – 1550 BC, to the Late Bronze Age and Iron Age, Circa 1550 – 586 BC

Jericho - Ancient Jericho — Ancient Jericho. Khan Academy

Jericho was destroyed multiple times, but was rebuilt and expanded in the Middle Bronze Age. It became a significant Canaanite city-state with sophisticated fortifications, palaces, and a complex societal hierarchy. Archaeological finds from this period include extensive burial sites with rich grave goods, reflecting prosperity and cultural development. The city also faced significant upheavals. There is evidence of a destructive event, possibly an earthquake, that led to Jericho’s decline. It was eventually rebuilt, with new fortifications and urban planning.

The city’s resilience reflects the inhabitants’ determination to restore and maintain their community amidst challenges. After another destruction, circa 1550 BC, Jericho’s prominence declined. The population fell and urban activity diminished in the Late Bronze Age. There was limited reoccupation in the Iron Age, with small-scale settlements and agricultural use. The final destruction occurred in 586 BC during the Babylonian conquest, which led to the site’s abandonment.

Written by

Khalid Elhassan

A lifelong history buff, I developed a particular passion for WW2 history as a child, when I spent hours listening to my grandfather, enraptured, as he recounted his wartime experiences in the British East African Campaign and with the British 8th Army in North Africa.

I graduated with a history BA from George Mason University, then went on to get a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law. After lawyering for a decade, I moved to sunny Rio de Janeiro and a less demanding career, opening a tourism agency in Copacabana.

A big chunk of my free time is spent blogging (you can follow me on Quora https://www.quora.com/profile/Khalid-Elhassan ) or freelance writing, mostly about my favorite subject, history.