What does Joshua 6:17 mean?

"¶ 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

The verse Joshua 6:17 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "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."

This verse is from the book of Joshua in the Old Testament, and it comes from the larger context of the story of the Israelites' conquest of the city of Jericho. The verse occurs just as the Israelites are preparing to attack and destroy the city of Jericho. This event holds great significance in the history of the Israelites as it marks the beginning of their conquest of the land of Canaan, the Promised Land, which was given to them by God.

In this verse, we see that the city of Jericho is to be devoted to the Lord, which means that it is to be completely destroyed as an offering to God. This act of destruction was a common practice in ancient times, where a city and everything in it would be considered accursed and devoted to destruction as an offering to a deity. The Israelites were commanded to carry out this act of destruction as an act of obedience to God's will.

However, in the midst of this destruction, we see a glimmer of hope and mercy in the form of Rahab, a harlot who saved the Israelite spies and helped them escape the city before the attack. Because of her act of kindness and her faith in the God of the Israelites, she and her household are to be spared from the destruction of Jericho.

One of the key themes in this verse is the idea of God's justice and mercy. While the city of Jericho was to be destroyed as an offering to God, Rahab and her family were shown mercy and were spared from the destruction. This reflects the idea of God's justice being tempered with mercy, and it demonstrates the importance of faith and kindness in receiving God's grace.

Another important theme in this verse is the idea of obedience to God's will. The Israelites were commanded to carry out the destruction of Jericho as an act of obedience to God, and Rahab's obedience and faith in the God of Israel also led to her being spared from the destruction. This displays the importance of following God's commands and trusting in His divine plan.

Furthermore, the symbolism in this verse is significant as well. Rahab, a harlot, represents the marginalized and outcasts of society, yet she is shown mercy and grace by God. This can be seen as a reflection of God's concern for the downtrodden and the overlooked, and it serves as a reminder that God's mercy is available to all, regardless of their social status or past actions.

In conclusion, Joshua 6:17 is a verse that holds deep meaning and significance within the larger context of the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land. It speaks to the themes of God's justice and mercy, the importance of obedience and faith, and the inclusivity of God's grace. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's redemptive and merciful nature, and it continues to offer hope and inspiration to believers today.

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Joshua 6:17-25

Joshua 6:17 - "¶ 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 (KJVA) 17 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 6:17-23 (KJVA) 17 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. 18 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 it. 19 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. 20 So the people shouted when the priests blew with the trumpets: and it came to pass, when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city. 21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. 22 But Joshua had said unto the two men that had spied out the country, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out thence the woman, and all that she hath, as ye sware unto her. 23 And the young men that were spies went in, and brought out Rahab, and her father, and her mother, and her brethren, and all that she had; and they brought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel.

"¶ 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

Joshua 17:6 - "Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead."

Joshua 10:17 - "And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah."

Joshua 17:17 - "And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only:"

Joshua 24:17

Joshua 4:17 - "Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan."

Joshua 24:17

Joshua 6

Joshua 3:1-17

Joshua 6:12 - "¶ And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD."

Joshua 6:27 - "So the LORD was with Joshua; and his fame was noised throughout all the country."

"Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead." - Joshua 17:6

Joshua 22:6 - "So Joshua blessed them, and sent them away: and they went unto their tents."

Joshua 6:20

Joshua 12:17 - "The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;"

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."

Exodus 17:13 - "And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword."

"And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah." - Joshua 10:17

Joshua 17:15 - "And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee."