Joshua 6:26 Meaning and Explanation
“And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Joshua places a solemn curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho, warning it would cost him his firstborn and youngest sons.
What Does Joshua 6:26 Mean?
Joshua seals the day with a solemn oath, pronouncing a curse upon anyone who would one day rebuild Jericho. The cost is gravely stated: he would lay its foundation at the price of his firstborn and set up its gates at the price of his youngest son. The ruined city is to remain a standing memorial of God's judgment.
The curse guards the meaning of what God has done, lest the lesson of Jericho be undone by human ambition. The city stood under God's judgment, and to rebuild it in defiance would be to forget that judgment. Centuries later, the warning came true to the letter when a man rebuilt the city and lost his sons, showing that Joshua's word, spoken before the Lord, held true through the generations. God's pronouncements are not idle; they stand the test of time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 6:26
What does Joshua 6:26 mean?
Joshua places a solemn curse on anyone who would rebuild Jericho, warning it would cost him his firstborn and youngest sons.