Joshua 6:17 Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent.

◄ Joshua 6:17 ►

New International Version
The city and all that is in it are to be devoted to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall be spared, because she hid the spies we sent.

New Living Translation
Jericho and everything in it must be completely destroyed as an offering to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute and the others in her house will be spared, for she protected our spies.

English Standard Version
And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.

Berean Standard Bible
Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Now the city shall be doomed by the LORD to destruction, it and all who are in it. Only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

New American Standard Bible
But the city shall be designated for destruction, it and everything that is in it belongs to the LORD; only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.

NASB 1995
“The city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the LORD; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.

NASB 1977
“And the city shall be under the ban, it and all that is in it belongs to the LORD; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent.

Legacy Standard Bible
And the city shall be devoted to destruction, it and all that is in it belongs to Yahweh; only Rahab the harlot and all who are with her in the house shall live because she hid the messengers whom we sent.

Amplified Bible
The city and everything that is in it shall be under the ban [that is, designated to be destroyed as a form of tribute] to the LORD; only Rahab the prostitute and all [the people] who are with her in her house shall [be allowed to] live, because she hid and protected the messengers (scouts) whom we sent.

Christian Standard Bible
But the city and everything in it are set apart to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and everyone with her in the house will live, because she hid the messengers we sent.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But the city and everything in it are set apart to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and everyone with her in the house will live, because she hid the men we sent.

American Standard Version
And the city shall be devoted, even it and all that is therein, to Jehovah: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she and all that are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Contemporary English Version
But you must destroy it and everything in it, to show that it now belongs to the LORD. The woman Rahab helped the spies we sent, so protect her and the others who are inside her house. But kill everyone else in the town.

English Revised Version
And the city shall be devoted, even it and all that is 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The city has been claimed by the LORD. Everything in it belongs to the LORD. Only the prostitute Rahab and all who are in the house with her will live because she hid the messengers we sent.

Good News Translation
The city and everything in it must be totally destroyed as an offering to the LORD. Only the prostitute Rahab and her household will be spared, because she hid our spies.

International Standard Version
The city—along with everything in it—is to be turned over to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and everyone who is with her in her house may live, because she hid the scouts we sent.

Majority Standard Bible
Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent.

NET Bible
The city and all that is in it must be set apart for the LORD, except for Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house, because she hid the spies we sent.

New Heart English Bible
The city shall be devoted, even it and all that is in it, to the LORD. Only Rahab the prostitute shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are in it, 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.

World English Bible
The city shall be devoted, even it and all that is in it, to Yahweh. Only Rahab the prostitute shall live, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the messengers that we sent.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the city has been devoted, it and all that [is] in it, to YHWH; only Rahab the harlot lives, she and all who [are] with her in the house, for she hid the messengers whom we sent;

Young's Literal Translation
and the city hath been devoted, it and all that is in it, to Jehovah; only Rahab the harlot doth live, she and all who are with her in the house, for she hid the messengers whom we sent;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the city was devoted, it, and all which is in it, to Jehovah: only Rehab the harlot shall live; she and all which with her in the house, because she hid the messengers which we sent.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And let this city be an anathema, and all things that are in it, to the Lord. Let only Rahab the harlot live, with all that are with her in the house: for she hid the messengers whom we sent.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And let this city be anathema, with all the things that are within it, before the Lord. May only Rahab the harlot live, with all who are with her in the house. For she hid the messengers whom we sent.

New American Bible
The city and everything in it is under the ban. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are in the house with her are to live, because she hid the messengers we sent.

New Revised Standard Version
The city and all that is in it shall be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live because she hid the messengers we sent.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And this city and all that is therein, is to be devoted to the LORD; only Rahab the harlot you shall spare, she and all who are with her in the house, because she hid the spies that we sent.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And this city and everything that is in it shall be destruction to LORD JEHOVAH; only save Rakhab the Harlot and everyone who is with her in the house because she hid those spies whom we sent

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And the city shall be devoted, even it and all that is 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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the city shall be devoted, it and all things that are in it, to the Lord of Hosts: only do ye save Raab the harlot, and all things in her house.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Walls of Jericho
…16After the seventh time around, the priests blew the horns, and Joshua commanded the people, “Shout! For the LORD has given you the city! 17Now the city and everything in it must be devoted to the LORD for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all those with her in her house will live, because she hid the spies we sent. 18But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Hebrews 11:30-31
By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. / By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies in peace, did not perish with those who were disobedient.

James 2:25
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute justified by her actions when she welcomed the spies and sent them off on another route?

Matthew 1:5
Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse,

1 Corinthians 1:27-29
But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. / He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are, / so that no one may boast in His presence.

Acts 16:31
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Romans 9:25-26
As He says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘My People’ who are not My people, and I will call her ‘My Beloved’ who is not My beloved,” / and, “It will happen that in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not My people,’ they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’”

1 Peter 2:10
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.

Luke 19:9-10
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham. / For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Revelation 17:14
They will make war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will triumph over them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and He will be accompanied by His called and chosen and faithful ones.”

Isaiah 55:6-7
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. / Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

Exodus 23:31-33
And I will establish your borders from the Red Sea to the Sea of the Philistines, and from the desert to the Euphrates. For I will deliver the inhabitants into your hand, and you will drive them out before you. / You shall make no covenant with them or with their gods. / They must not remain in your land, lest they cause you to sin against Me. For if you serve their gods, it will surely be a snare to you.”

Deuteronomy 7:2
and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy.

Leviticus 27:28-29
Nothing that a man sets apart to the LORD from all he owns—whether a man, an animal, or his inherited land—can be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. / No person set apart for destruction may be ransomed; he must surely be put to death.

Numbers 21:2-3
So Israel made a vow to the LORD: “If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction.” / And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah.

Treasury of Scripture

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.

accursed.

Joshua 7:1
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.

Leviticus 27:28,29
Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD…

Numbers 21:2,3
And Israel vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou wilt indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities…

only Rahab

Joshua 2:1
And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

because

Joshua 6:22,23
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…

Joshua 2:4-6,22
And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were: …

Genesis 12:3
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

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Joshua 6

1. Jericho is shut up
2. God instructs Joshua how to beseige it
12. The city is composed
17. It is accursed
20. The walls fall down
22. Rahab is saved
26. The builder of Jericho is cursed

Berean Study Bible

Now the city
The Hebrew word for "city" is "עִיר" (ir), which refers to a fortified settlement. Jericho, the city in question, was one of the oldest and most significant cities in the ancient Near East. Archaeological evidence suggests that Jericho had massive walls, which made it a formidable obstacle for the Israelites. The mention of the city sets the stage for a divine intervention that would demonstrate God's power and faithfulness to His promises.

and all that is in it
This phrase emphasizes the totality of the destruction that was to come upon Jericho. The Hebrew word "כֹּל" (kol) means "all" or "everything," indicating that nothing within the city was to be spared. This reflects the concept of "herem," a term used for things devoted to God, often through destruction, as a form of divine judgment and purification.

shall be devoted to the LORD
The Hebrew term "חֵרֶם" (cherem) is used here, meaning something that is set apart for God, often through destruction. This concept underscores the seriousness of sin and the holiness of God. The destruction of Jericho was not merely a military conquest but a spiritual act of obedience and dedication to God, who demanded purity and holiness from His people.

for destruction
The phrase "for destruction" highlights the complete and irrevocable nature of the judgment upon Jericho. This was not just a physical destruction but a spiritual cleansing, removing the influence of paganism and idolatry from the land that God had promised to the Israelites. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of aligning with God's will.

Only Rahab the prostitute
Rahab's inclusion is significant, as her account is one of redemption and faith. Despite her past, Rahab's actions demonstrated her belief in the God of Israel. The Hebrew word for "prostitute" is "זוֹנָה" (zonah), which acknowledges her former life but also highlights the transformative power of faith. Rahab's faith and actions led to her being spared, illustrating God's grace and mercy.

and all who are with her in her house
This phrase underscores the importance of community and the protection that comes from being aligned with God's people. Rahab's family was saved because of her faith and her decision to align with the God of Israel. It serves as a powerful testament to the impact one person's faith can have on others.

shall live
The promise of life for Rahab and her family is a direct result of her faith and obedience. The Hebrew word "חָיָה" (chayah) means "to live" or "to be preserved," signifying not just physical survival but a new beginning. Rahab's account is a foreshadowing of the salvation available to all who place their faith in God.

because she hid the spies we sent
Rahab's actions in hiding the spies were a demonstration of her faith and allegiance to the God of Israel. The Hebrew word "סָתַר" (satar) means "to hide" or "to conceal," indicating her active role in God's plan. Her faith was not passive but involved risk and courage, leading to her inclusion in the lineage of Jesus Christ, as noted in the genealogy in Matthew 1. This highlights the theme of redemption and the far-reaching impact of faith and obedience.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(17) The city shall be accursed.--Heb., shall be cherem, "a devoted or accursed thing"; and so Joshua 6:18, "from the accursed thing." (See Note on Deuteronomy 7:26.) The combination of the two ideas of devotion to God and utter destruction may be seen in the sin offering (Leviticus 6:25), which is called "holy of holies," or most holy, and yet, when offered for the priest or congregation, must be utterly consumed.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 17. - Accursed. Rather, devotea, ἀναθεμα LXX. The original meaning of this word is derived from הרם to "shut up." Hence it originally means "a net." With this we may compare the well known Eastern word harem, meaning the enclosed apartments reserved for the women of the family. Hence it comes to mean under a ban, devoted, generally to utter destruction under the pressure of a vow to God, as in Numbers 21:2, or in consequence of His command (see Leviticus 27:29; Deuteronomy 13:15 (Hebrew 16); 1 Kings 20:42, "the man of my devoting," חֶרְמִי, etc). But in Leviticus 27:21, Numbers 18:14, the חֵרֵמ as devoted to the Lord, became the property of the priest. This ban was the most solemn and tremendous religious sentence, the absolute and final excommunication of the old law. The sin of Saul (1 Samuel 15.) was the sparing of anything whatever in the city which had been laid under the ban - a ban which Saul had been specially commanded to execute (1 Samuel 15:3) according to the principles laid down in Deuteronomy 13. When Keil, however, states that the ban "could never be pronounced upon things and property alone, but only upon open idolaters, either with or without their possessions," he appears to have overlooked Leviticus 27:16-21, where a man may devote irredeemably to God property of his own (cf. ver. 28 of the same chapter). In his subsequent work, however, Keil qualifies this assertion by a consideration of this very passage. Idolatrous worship was the one thing which justified the Israelites in laying one of their own cities under the ban (see Deuteronomy 13:12 18, above cited). But (Deuteronomy 7:2) it had been pronounced against the Canaanites. Property, how. ever, save in the case of Jericho, seems to have been exempted from the ban (see Joshua 8:2). Even at Jericho the silver and the gold, the brass and the iron, were placed in the treasury of the Lord (Joshua 5:19, 24). "Why," says Theodoret, "was the city thus devoted? It was devoted on the same principle which offered the first fruits to God, since it was the first fruits of their conquests." Because she hid. See for the peculiar form of this word as though it came from a quadriliteral הבאה

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Now the city
הָעִ֥יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

and everything
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

in it
בָּ֖הּ (bāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's Hebrew

must be
וְהָיְתָ֨ה (wə·hā·yə·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

devoted
חֵ֛רֶם (ḥê·rem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2764: A net, a doomed object, extermination

to the LORD.
לַֽיהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

Only
רַק֩ (raq)
Adverb
Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

Rahab
רָחָ֨ב (rā·ḥāḇ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 7343: Rahab -- a harlot in Jericho

the prostitute
הַזּוֹנָ֜ה (haz·zō·w·nāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2181: To commit adultery, to commit idolatry

and all those
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

with her
אִתָּ֣הּ (’it·tāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

in her house
בַּבַּ֔יִת (bab·ba·yiṯ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

will live,
תִּֽחְיֶ֗ה (tiḥ·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

because
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

she hid
הֶחְבְּאַ֔תָה (heḥ·bə·’a·ṯāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 2244: To withdraw, hide

the spies
הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים (ham·mal·’ā·ḵîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4397: A messenger, of God, an angel

we sent.
שָׁלָֽחְנוּ׃ (šā·lā·ḥə·nū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common plural
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

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OT History: Joshua 6:17 The city shall be devoted even it (Josh. Jos)