King James Version

What Does Joshua 6:17 Mean?

Joshua 6:17 in the King James Version says “And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live, she an... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 6 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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: or, devoted

Joshua 6:17 · KJV


Context

15

And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

16

And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city.

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. accursed: or, devoted

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. accursed: or, devoted a curse: or, devoted

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. consecrated: Heb. holiness


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The herem (devoted to destruction) command—'And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live'—required total destruction except Rahab's family. The term 'accursed' (Hebrew herem) means devoted exclusively to God, requiring either consecration or destruction. Jericho's wealth went to God's treasury, not Israel's pockets. This demonstrates that holy war served divine judgment, not human profit. Rahab's exception shows mercy within judgment—grace rescues believers from deserved wrath.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The herem command appears throughout conquest narratives, requiring complete destruction of certain cities. This served multiple purposes: divine judgment on Canaanite sin (Deuteronomy 9:5), preventing idolatrous influence (Deuteronomy 7:1-5), and demonstrating that conquest served God's purposes, not mere land-grabbing. Modern readers struggle with these accounts, but understanding them as God's holy judgment on sinful nations (similar to Noah's flood) helps. Rahab's salvation demonstrates that even under judgment, God saves those who believe.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you reconcile God's judgment on Canaanites with His character of love and mercy?
  2. What does Rahab's salvation amid judgment teach about grace reaching even the most unlikely?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהָֽיְתָ֨ה1 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

הָעִ֥יר2 of 23

And the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

חֵ֛רֶם3 of 23

shall be accursed

H2764

physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination

הִ֥יא4 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְכָל5 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁר6 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּ֖הּ7 of 23
H0
לַֽיהוָ֑ה8 of 23

even it and all that are therein to the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

רַק֩9 of 23
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

רָחָ֨ב10 of 23

only Rahab

H7343

rachab, a canaanitess

הַזּוֹנָ֜ה11 of 23

the harlot

H2181

to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (

תִּֽחְיֶ֗ה12 of 23

shall live

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

הִ֚יא13 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְכָל14 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר15 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אִתָּ֣הּ16 of 23
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בַּבַּ֔יִת17 of 23

she and all that are with her in the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

כִּ֣י18 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

הֶחְבְּאַ֔תָה19 of 23

because she hid

H2244

to secrete

אֶת20 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמַּלְאָכִ֖ים21 of 23

the messengers

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר22 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

שָׁלָֽחְנוּ׃23 of 23

that we sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 6:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 6:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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