Jericho: Captives of Judah
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Jericho, an ancient city with a rich biblical history, is notably mentioned in the context of the Captives of Judah. This entry explores the significance of Jericho during the period of the Babylonian exile and the return of the Jewish captives.

Historical Context

Jericho, often referred to as the "City of Palms" (Deuteronomy 34:3), is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. It is located near the Jordan River in the Jordan Valley. The city is famously known for its conquest by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership, as recorded in the Book of Joshua (Joshua 6). However, its significance extends beyond this event, particularly during the time of the Babylonian exile and the subsequent return of the Jewish captives.

The Babylonian Exile

The Babylonian exile was a pivotal period in Jewish history, beginning in 586 BC when Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the First Temple, leading to the deportation of many Jews to Babylon. This period of captivity lasted until 538 BC when Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered Babylon and allowed the Jewish exiles to return to their homeland.

Jericho's Role in the Return

Jericho played a role in the return of the Jewish captives from Babylon. As the exiles made their way back to Judah, Jericho served as a significant point of re-entry into the land. The city's strategic location made it a natural stopping point for those journeying from the east.

In the Book of Ezra, the return of the exiles is documented, and Jericho is mentioned in the context of the rebuilding efforts. Ezra 2:34 lists the "men of Jericho" among those who returned from captivity to help rebuild Jerusalem and its temple: "the men of Jericho, 345" . This indicates that a contingent of the returning exiles was specifically associated with Jericho, highlighting the city's continued importance in the post-exilic community.

Rebuilding and Restoration

The return from exile was not merely a physical journey but also a spiritual and communal restoration. The involvement of the men of Jericho in the rebuilding efforts underscores their commitment to reestablishing their heritage and faith. Nehemiah 3:2 further records the participation of the people of Jericho in the reconstruction of Jerusalem's walls: "The men of Jericho built next to them, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them" . This collaborative effort was crucial in restoring the city and its defenses, symbolizing the renewal of the Jewish community.

Symbolic Significance

Jericho's mention in the context of the return from exile carries symbolic weight. The city's history of destruction and renewal mirrors the broader narrative of the Jewish people during this period. Just as Jericho was once conquered and rebuilt, so too were the Jewish captives returning to rebuild their lives and their relationship with God.

Conclusion

While Jericho is often remembered for its dramatic fall in the time of Joshua, its role during the return of the Jewish captives from Babylon is equally significant. The city's involvement in the rebuilding efforts of Jerusalem highlights its enduring place in the biblical narrative and its symbolic representation of restoration and hope for the people of Judah.
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2 Chronicles 28:7-15
And Zichri, a mighty man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the king's son, and Azrikam the governor of the house, and Elkanah that was next to the king.
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Library

How Upon the Death of Jotham, Ahaz Reigned in his Stead; against ...
... out of their kinsmen the tribes of Judah and Benjamin ... So the forenamed men took the
captives, and let them ... them, and conducted them as far as Jericho, which is ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how upon the.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem ... the tribe of Ephraim "took
the captives, and with ... upon asses, and brought them to Jericho, the city ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

The Last Agony
... first triumph, when 'by faith the walls of Jericho fell down ... head, and there is no
more a king in Judah. ... own, and to lament their brethren gone captives to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the last agony.htm

On Daniel. I. Preface by the Most Holy Hippolytus, (Bishop) of ...
... Along with the other captives, he is carried off a ... hundred men, and surprised him
in Jericho, and brought ... Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah should become ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on daniel i preface by.htm

The Historical Books.
... an account of the overthrow of Jericho, the trespass ... of Israel, and afterwards of
that of Judah, and their ... of events among the restored captives before Ezra's ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Children's Bible
... CROSSING THE RIVER JORDAN. THE CAPTURE OF JERICHO AND AI. ... THE BOY JOASH ON THE THRONE
OF JUDAH. A YOUNG MAN WHO SAID, "SEND ME". ... THE COURAGE OF FOUR CAPTIVES. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

Hope for the Heathen
... In wicked Jericho the testimony of a heathen woman was ... Israel, and gather together
the dispersed of Judah from the ... Thus saith the Lord, Even the captives of the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 31 hope for the.htm

The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... Arise Barak, and take thy captives, thou son of Abinoam ... fell and its literary heritage
passed to Judah, it was ... to sow or the Samaritan who went down to Jericho. ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/vi the growth of the.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... on Nineveh"The Assyrian triangle and the defence of Nineveh: Assur-bani-pal summons
the Scythians to his aid"The Scythian invasion"Judah under Manasseh ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

In Judaea
... been the sad meeting-place of the captives when about ... Jericho, with its general trade
and its traffic in balsam ... of David, was to be born in Bethlehem of Judah. ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 5 in judaea.htm

Resources
Matthew 20:29-34 says Jesus healed two blind men as He left Jericho. Mark 10:46-52 and Luke 18:35-43 say He healed one man as He entered Jericho. Is this a contradiction? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Rahab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Achan in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Jericho

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Assist in Repairing the Walls of Jerusalem

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Besieged by Joshua for Seven Days

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Blind Men Healed At, by Jesus

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Called the City of Palm Trees

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Company of "The Sons of the Prophets" Lived At

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Location of, Pleasant

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Rahab the Harlot Lived In

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Rebuilt by Hiel

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Situated Within the Territory Allotted to Benjamin

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: The Kenites Lived At

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Zacchaeus Lived At

Jericho: Captives of Judah

Jericho: Inhabitants of, Taken Captive to Babylon, Return To, With Ezra and Nehemiah

Jericho: Joshua Sees the "Captain of the Host" of the Lord Near

Jericho: King of Moab Makes Conquest of, and Establishes his Capital At

Jericho: Plain of

Jericho: Waters of

Jericho: Waters of Purified by Elisha

Related Terms

Lowlands (25 Occurrences)

Plains (31 Occurrences)

Abiram (9 Occurrences)

Bartimaeus (1 Occurrence)

Rahab (14 Occurrences)

Balm (7 Occurrences)

Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Beth-el (65 Occurrences)

Ciccar

Spy (27 Occurrences)

Anem (1 Occurrence)

Zoar (12 Occurrences)

Gilgal (39 Occurrences)

Eli'sha (52 Occurrences)

Bethany (13 Occurrences)

Siddim (3 Occurrences)

Nebo (13 Occurrences)

Naarah (3 Occurrences)

Wayside (16 Occurrences)

Roadside (9 Occurrences)

Eastwards (3 Occurrences)

Dok

Bethelite (1 Occurrence)

Cherith (2 Occurrences)

Chaldaean (9 Occurrences)

Adummim (2 Occurrences)

Abarim (8 Occurrences)

Achan (7 Occurrences)

Segub (3 Occurrences)

Begging (18 Occurrences)

Crossed (65 Occurrences)

Ai (32 Occurrences)

Leaving (80 Occurrences)

Across (172 Occurrences)

Spies (22 Occurrences)

Territory (140 Occurrences)

Road (155 Occurrences)

Opposite (137 Occurrences)

Limit (115 Occurrences)

Vale (20 Occurrences)

Beside (326 Occurrences)

Overtook (35 Occurrences)

Beggar (5 Occurrences)

Elea'zar (72 Occurrences)

Large (235 Occurrences)

Eastward (72 Occurrences)

Encamped (115 Occurrences)

Searching (111 Occurrences)

Camped (100 Occurrences)

Tarry (62 Occurrences)

Palm (49 Occurrences)

Blind (91 Occurrences)

Beth (115 Occurrences)

Shittim (34 Occurrences)

Bethel (67 Occurrences)

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)

345 (2 Occurrences)

Zemaraim (2 Occurrences)

Named (428 Occurrences)

Naarath (1 Occurrence)

Girgashite (7 Occurrences)

Girgashites (7 Occurrences)

Gir'gashites (6 Occurrences)

Foundations (49 Occurrences)

Forty-five (15 Occurrences)

Totally (27 Occurrences)

Timeus (1 Occurrence)

Timae'us (1 Occurrence)

Timaeus (1 Occurrence)

Rose (279 Occurrences)

Eglon (13 Occurrences)

Enshemesh (2 Occurrences)

Emek-keziz (1 Occurrence)

Ending (22 Occurrences)

En-shemesh (2 Occurrences)

Designated (22 Occurrences)

Palm-trees (23 Occurrences)

Possessors (14 Occurrences)

Jericho: A City East of Jerusalem and Near the Jordan River: Zacchaeus Lived At
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