The Threefold Force of Joshua's Oath Over Jericho

Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 16:1

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

"And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying: Cursed be the man before the LORD" (Joshua 6:26). It was taught: in [the word] "cursed" there is excommunication, there is cursing, there is an oath. In it there is excommunication, as it is written, "Curse Meroz" (Judges 5:23); and Ulla said, with four hundred shofar blasts did Barak place Meroz under the ban. In it there is cursing, as it is written, "And these shall stand upon the curse" (Deuteronomy 27:13), and it is written, "Cursed be the man who makes a graven image" (Deuteronomy 27:15). In it there is an oath, as it is written, "And Joshua adjured them at that time," and it is written, "And the men of Israel were distressed that day, for Saul had laid an oath upon the people" (1 Samuel 14:24). "Who rises up and builds this city, namely Jericho" (Joshua 6:26). From the implication of what is said, "this city," do I not know that it is Jericho? What does Scripture come to teach by saying "namely Jericho"? That Jericho should not be built under the name of another city, and that another city should not be built under the name of Jericho.

Themes

Divine JusticeHoly LandJoshua

Continue Reading

Ben SiraJoshua Raised His Javelin Against the CityBen Sira turns to Joshua Raised His Javelin Against the City. Ben Sira, in his wisdom, certainly did. He paints a picture of Joshua in chapter 46 that's nothingBook of JudithJoacim and the Promised LandIt all starts with preparation. And that's exactly what we see in the Book of Judith. When faced with a looming threat, what's the first thing you do? You prepaBook of JudithHolofernes and the Promised Land"Now these men will wipe clean the face of the earth, for neither the high mountains, nor the valleys, nor the hills, are able to bear their weight." It's a decBook of JudithUzziah and the Promised LandBook of Judith turns to Uzziah and the Promised Land. Let’s pick up the story. We find Judith at the gates of Bethulia. Remember, this is her hometown, a city oLegends of the JewsAmalek in the Holy LandBeneath the surface of the biblical narrative, the aggadah – the Jewish tradition of storytelling and interpretation – reveals a deeper, almost mystical strugglLegends of the JewsMoses and the Promised Land of CanaanForty days to explore an entire country, a mission impossible made possible by… well, by something a little miraculous. That's the story of the spies sent to sc