Jericho was tightly shut because of the Israelites; no one went in or out. Then the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands—its king and its mighty warriors. March around the city once each day for six days with all the armed men. Have seven priests carry rams' horn trumpets ahead of the Ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times while the priests blow the trumpets. When you hear a long blast, let all the people shout loudly; then the wall of the city will fall, and each man will go straight in."
Joshua, son of Nun, called the priests and told them, "Take up the Ark of the Lord's covenant, and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." He also commanded the people, "Advance and march around the city, with the armed guard going before the Ark of the Lord."
The priests carrying the trumpets went forward, blowing them continuously, while the Ark of the Lord followed. The armed men went ahead, and the rear guard followed behind, as the trumpets sounded. Joshua instructed the people, "Do not shout or make any noise until the day I tell you to shout." So they circled the city once and returned to camp for the night.
The next morning, Joshua rose early, and the priests again took up the Ark. For six days, they marched around Jericho once each day and then returned to camp.
On the seventh day, they rose at daybreak and marched around the city seven times. When the priests blew the trumpets the seventh time, Joshua commanded, "Shout! For the Lord has given you the city! Everything in it is devoted to the Lord. Only Rahab the prostitute and her household shall live, because she hid our spies. But keep away from what is devoted, or you will bring destruction upon yourselves and the camp of Israel. All silver, gold, and articles of bronze and iron belong to the Lord's treasury."
When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and the walls of Jericho collapsed. The Israelites rushed straight in and captured the city. They devoted everything in it to destruction—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep, and donkeys.
Joshua told the spies, "Go and bring out Rahab and all who belong to her." So they rescued Rahab, her parents, and all her family and placed them outside Israel's camp. Then they burned the city and everything in it, keeping only the silver, gold, and metals for the treasury of the Lord's house.
Rahab and her family were spared and lived among Israel to this day, for she had hidden the spies Joshua sent to Jericho.
At that time, Joshua declared a curse: "Cursed before the Lord is the man who rebuilds this city, Jericho. At the cost of his firstborn, he will lay its foundation; at the cost of his youngest, he will set up its gates."
So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.