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

18. The Opening Up of Canaan for Ancient Israelite Settlement

Per the Book of Joshua, chapter 6, the ancient city of Jericho fell to the ancient Israelites when God miraculously brought down its walls. After they captured Jericho, the Israelites attacked Ai, another key Canaanite city. The Bible narrates that they were initially defeated because one of them had kept some of Jericho’s loot for himself, in defiance of a divine directive that all booty be dedicated to the Lord. After the guilty party was stoned to death, God was appeased and Ai was captured.

The conquest continued through two more military campaigns: the southern and northern. In the southern campaign, Joshua led the Israelites to defeat a coalition of kings who opposed them, including the king of Jerusalem. In the northern campaign, another alliance of kings was defeated near the waters of Merom. Those victories broke the power of Canaanite rulers and opened the land for Israelite settlement.

17. The Spiritual Aspect of the Conquest of Canaan

The Bible emphasizes that the conquest of Canaan was not just a military effort, but a spiritual one. God is portrayed as the campaign’s true leader, fighting for the Israelites. In return, they were to remain faithful, obey God’s laws, and eradicate idolatry from the land. The conquered land was divided among the twelve tribes of Israel. However, not all Canaanite cities were destroyed, and the Israelites did not drive out all the inhabitants. That led to later conflict and religious compromise.

Historically and archaeologically, the conquest of Canaan is debated. Some scholars support a rapid conquest model, while others suggest a gradual infiltration or internal social upheaval. Regardless of historical interpretation, the biblical account of the conquest of Canaan is central to the Israelite religious identity. It set the stage for the period of Judges, and the eventual establishment of an Israelite monarchy.

16. The Historicity of the Conquest of Canaan

The historicity of the conquest of Canaan is subject to significant debate among historians, archaeologists, and biblical scholars. The biblical account, mainly found in the Book of Joshua, presents a swift and divinely guided military campaign in which the Israelites, under Joshua’s leadership, invaded and conquered Canaan. However, archaeological evidence and historical analysis cast doubts on the accuracy and timing of that narrative.

According to the Bible, the conquest occurred in the late Bronze Age, roughly between 1400 and 1200 BC, depending on how the biblical chronology is inerpreted. The Israelites are said to have crossed the Jordan River, destroyed cities like Jericho and Ai, defeated various Canaanite kings, and claimed the land for themselves as promised by God. As seen below, archaeological investigations at several key sites mentioned in the biblical account have produced mixed results.

15. The Biblical Timeline vs the Archaeological Record

Excavations revealed that Jericho had been destroyed around 1550 BCE and remained largely uninhabited during the supposed time of Joshua’s conquest. That suggests that if the Israelites did conquer Jericho, it may not have occurred in the way or at the time described in the Bible. At et-Tell, identified by many as the site of Ai, archaeological evidence shows that the city had been abandoned for centuries and was not inhabited in the late Bronze Age, when the conquest of Canaan is supposed to have occurred.

Other cities, such as Hazor, do show evidence of destruction around the appropriate time, but it is unclear who was responsible or whether the events align with the biblical narrative. Many scholars now believe that the Israelite settlement in Canaan was a more gradual and complex process than a single military campaign, with peaceful infiltration by nomadic groups who slowly settled Canaan’s hill country.

14. An Internal Revolution Instead of Conquest?

Some scholars propose an internal social revolution theory, in which lower class Canaanites rebelled and formed what later became Israel. Although there is no direct archaeological confirmation for a rapid conquest, the biblical narrative is still culturally and theologically important. It reflects the Israelites’ self-understanding and self-identification as a people chosen by God, who had received divine promises.

As one prominent scholar put it: “Almost without exception, scholars agree that the account in Joshua holds little historical value vis-à-vis early Israel and most likely reflects much later historical times“. The biblical account of the conquest of Canaan provides a powerful narrative of divine victory and fulfillment of promises, but archaeological evidence suggests a more nuanced historical reality.

13. The Most Dramatic Story in the Biblical Narrative of the Conquest of Canaan

The fall of Jericho is one of the Bible’s most dramatic stories, and marks a key moment in the Israelites’ conquest of Canaan, the land promised to them by God. The narrative is significant both theologically and historically, symbolizing God’s power, the importance of obedience, and the fulfillment of divine promises. Jericho, in the Jordan Valley near the Jordan River, is one of the world’s oldest cities, and the oldest one known to have been fortified with walls.

When the Israelites arrived, it was a strong, fortified city surrounded by massive stone walls that were deemed impenetrable. The city’s strategic location made it a crucial military and trade center, which is why it became one of the first targets in the Israelites’ campaign to conquer Canaan.

12. Targeting Jericho

The Old Testament narrates that after Moses died, Joshua became leader of the Israelites. God commanded Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan River and into the land He had promised their ancestor Abraham. When he entered Canaan, Joshua sent two spies to scout out Jericho. They stayed with Rahab, a prostitute who lived in a house built into the city wall. Rahab had heard of the Israelites and their God, and believed in their divine mission.

In exchange for hiding the spies and helping them escape, she asked for protection for herself and her family when the city was attacked. The spies agreed, and told her to tie a scarlet cord in her window as a sign so the attacker would know to spare her household. God then gave Joshua specific instructions on how to conquer Jericho.

11. The Old Testament’s Account of the Miraculous Collapse of Jericho’s Walls

The Book of Joshua narrates that, heeding God’s instructions, the Israelites marched around Jericho once a day for six days. The procession included soldiers, priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant, the sacred chest that symbolized God’s presence, and other priests blowing shofars – trumpets made of rams’ horns. The people remained completely silent during these marches. On the seventh day, per God’s orders, they marched around the city seven times.

After the final circuit, the priests blew the shofars, and the people raised a mighty shout. When they did so, the walls miraculously collapsed, and the Israelites stormed and conquered the city. They destroyed Jericho completely, burned it to the ground, and dedicated all its valuables to God. Only Rahab and her family were spared, as the spies had promised.

10. Cursing the City

Jericho was placed under a curse – Joshua declared that anyone who tried to rebuild it would do so at great personal cost. The fall of Jericho is symbolic in several ways. It demonstrates God’s power to intervene in human affairs and deliver victory through faith and obedience, rather than brute force. The Israelites’ success was not due to military strength but to their trust in God’s commands.

The story emphasizes that victory belongs to the Lord and that faithfulness and courage are rewarded. Rahab’s inclusion in the story highlights the theme of redemption. Though she was not an Israelite and had a questionable social status, her faith and actions earned her a place among God’s people. She later appears in the genealogy of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, Matthew 1:5, making her story also significant in Christian tradition.

9. The Historicity of the Biblical Account of Jericho’s Fall

From a historical and archaeological perspective, Jericho’s story has generated much debate. Archaeologists have excavated the site of ancient Jericho, and some findings showed a significant destruction event, including collapsed walls and burned debris. However, scholars disagree on whether this event corresponds with the biblical timeline of the Israelite conquest, often dated around 1400 BC or 1200 BC depending on different chronological interpretations.

Archaeological evidence shows that Jericho was uninhabited when the Bible says the conquest occurred, but some scholars still argue in support of a conquest scenario. Despite the debates, the theological and literary impact of the fall of Jericho remains profound. It represents the start of the Israelites’ military campaign in Canaan, and serves as a model for the kind of faith and obedience God expected from them.

8. Tell es-Sultan: The Site of Ancient Jericho

The ruins of ancient Jericho are located at Tell es-Sultan, near the modern city of Jericho. It is one of the world’s most significant archaeological sites, and offers a window into early human civilization. Located in the Jordan Valley in the West Bank, this site has been a focal point for understanding the development of human societies over millennia.

Tell es-Sultan is situated near the Ein es-Sultan spring, a continuous water source for thousands of years. That perennial spring made the area an attractive location for early human settlement, and explains why it became one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on Earth.

7. Jericho in the Epipaleolithic Period, Circa 10,000 – 8500 BC

The earliest evidence of human activity at Tell es-Sultan dates back to the Epipaleolithic period. During this time, Natufian hunter-gatherers frequented the area, and left behind microlithic tools and other artifacts. The abundance of resources, particularly water from the nearby spring, facilitated extended stays and possibly year-round habitation.

The origins of Jericho as a city trace back to the Natufian period, around 10,000 BC, at time of transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled communities. Archaeological excavations at Tell es-Sultan reveal evidence of early permanent settlements.

6. The Pre-Pottery Neolithic A (PPNA) Period, Circa 8500 – 7500 BC

This period from around 8500 to 7500 BC witnessed significant transformations as communities transitioned from nomadic lifestyles to permanent settlements. At Tell es-Sultan, inhabitants built circular mud-brick houses, developed early agricultural practices, and cultivated cereals like emmer wheat and barley. One of the most remarkable structures from this era is a defensive wall.

By 8000 BC, inhabitants had constructed a massive stone wall, about 12 feet high and 6 feet thick, that encircled the settlement. That is the oldest known city defensive wall. That wall, accompanied by a 28-foot-tall stone tower, represents one of the earliest known examples of urban fortification, and highlights the community’s organizational capabilities and concern for protection.

5. The Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) Period, Circa 7500 – 6000 BC, to the Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, Circa 4500 – 2000 BC

During the Pre-Pottery Neolithic B (PPNB) period, architectural styles evolved, and rectangular buildings replaced earlier circular ones. Food production increased as the community expanded its agricultural activities and animal domestication, and the extra resources allowed for greater societal complexity. Burial practices also became more elaborate, as culture and spirituality advanced. The Chalcolithic period saw the introduction of metal tools and further agricultural developments.

In the Early Bronze Age, Tell es-Sultan grew into a fortified urban center with complex urban planning. The city expanded its fortifications and built more walls and a protective ditch, which indicates a greater concern with defense. Archaeological findings suggest that Jericho participated in extensive trade networks, and imported goods from regions such as Syria, Anatolia, and Egypt. Artifacts like pottery and tools reflect a blend of cultural influences, and underscore Jericho’s role as a hub of commerce and cultural exchange.

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

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.

3. Archaeological Excavations

In 1868, British Army officer and archaeologist Sir Charles Warren conducted initial surveys that identified Tell es-Sultan’s potential significance. In 1907 – 1911, German archaeologists Ernst Sellin and Carl Watzinger conducted excavations that uncovered fortification walls and other structures. Next was British archaeologist John Garstang, who discovered collapsed walls and a destruction layer that he dated to around 1400 BC, which aligns with the biblical account of Jericho’s fall. Fellow British archaeologist Kathleen Kenyon showed that Garstang’s dating was wrong.

Her excavations, 1952 – 1958, used modern stratigraphic methods, which demonstrated that the significant destruction layer dated to around 1550 BC. That undermined previous correlations with biblical narratives. The most thorough and most recent excavations were those of the Italian-Palestinian Expedition, 1997 – 2000 and 2009 – 2023, led by Lorenzo Nigro and Jehad Yasine. They uncovered several Bronze Age monuments, including palaces and city gates, providing deeper insights into ancient Jericho’s urban development.

2. Jericho in the Iron Age and Islamic Period

After periods of abandonment, Jericho was rebuilt in the Iron Age. It was occupied by successive empires, including the Babylonians, Persians, and Romans. In the first century BC, Herod the Great built a winter palace about two miles southeast of Jericho. After the Islamic conquest in the seventh century, Jericho’s prominence waned and it shrank to a modest village. Nonetheless, the enduring presence highlights Jericho’s strategic and cultural significance over millennia.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, archaeological interest in Jericho surged. That led to extensive excavations that unveiled its rich historical layers. Today, Jericho is a Palestinian city that attracts scholars and tourists alike. The ancient ruins at Tell es-Sultan offer invaluable insights into early human civilization and urban development. Jericho’s extensive history encapsulates the evolution of human society, and its archaeology offers a window into the complexities of early urban life, trade, and cultural interactions.

1. A UNESCO World Heritage Site

As one of the world’s oldest cities, Jericho stands as a monument to human ingenuity, perseverance, and the enduring quest for community and civilization. In September 2023, Tell es-Sultan was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing its universal value to the history of early urban development and human civilization.

Tell es-Sultan serves as a crucial link to our understanding of early human societies, urbanization, and cultural evolution. Its extensive archaeological record offers invaluable insights into the development of complex societies and the enduring human spirit. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Tell es-Sultan, the site of ancient Jericho’s ruins, continues to be a focal point for research, education, and cultural heritage preservation.

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Where Did We Find This Stuff? Some Sources and Further Reading

Bright, John – A History of Israel (2000)

Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research No. 74 (Apr. 1939) – The Israelite of Canaan in the Light of Archaeology

Collector, The – The Walls of Jericho: Biblical Truth or Historical Propaganda?

Day, John – Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan (2002)

Dever, William G. – Who Were the Early Israelites and Where Did They Come From? (2006)

Encyclopedia Britannica – The Conquest of Canaan

Finkelstein, Israel, and Silberman, Neil Asher – The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Sacred Texts (2002)

History Collection – Fascinating Biblical and Biblical Era Archaeology

Killebrew, Anne E. – Biblical Peoples and Ethnicity: An Archaeological Study of Egyptians, Canaanites, Philistines, And Early Israel 1300-1100 BCE (2005)

Le Strange, Guy – Palestine Under the Moslems: A Description of Syria and the Holy Lands From AD 650 to 1500 (1890)

Nigro, Lorenzo – The Italian-Palestinian Expedition to Tell es-Sultan, Ancient Jericho, 1997-2015 (2020)

UNESCO – Ancient Jericho/ Tell es-Stultan