Topical Encyclopedia In the ancient Near East, city walls were not merely defensive structures but symbols of strength, security, and the divine favor of the city's inhabitants. The fall of such walls often signified not only military defeat but also divine judgment or intervention. The Bible provides several accounts where the collapse of city walls led to significant destruction and transformation.Jericho: A Divine Intervention One of the most famous biblical accounts of city walls falling is the account of Jericho. As the Israelites, led by Joshua, entered the Promised Land, they encountered the fortified city of Jericho. According to the biblical narrative, the fall of Jericho's walls was a direct result of divine intervention. The Israelites, following God's specific instructions, marched around the city once a day for six days. On the seventh day, they circled the city seven times, and upon the priests' blowing of the trumpets and the people's loud shout, the walls collapsed. The Berean Standard Bible recounts this event in Joshua 6:20: "So when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, they shouted a loud war cry. And when they did, the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it." This miraculous event led to the complete destruction of Jericho and demonstrated God's power and support for Israel. Babylon: A Symbol of Judgment The fall of Babylon's walls is another significant biblical event, though it is more symbolic in nature. The prophet Jeremiah prophesied the destruction of Babylon, a city known for its grandeur and seemingly impregnable walls. In Jeremiah 51:58 , it is written: "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'The broad walls of Babylon will be leveled, and her high gates will be set on fire; the peoples will labor for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves only to fuel the flames.'" The eventual fall of Babylon to the Medes and Persians, as described in Daniel 5, fulfilled this prophecy and served as a testament to God's sovereignty over nations and empires. Samaria: A Warning to Israel The fall of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, is another example where the destruction of city walls signified divine judgment. In 2 Kings 17:5-6 , the Assyrian king Shalmaneser besieged Samaria for three years, leading to its capture and the exile of the Israelites. The text states: "Then the king of Assyria invaded the entire land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria." The fall of Samaria's walls and the subsequent exile were consequences of Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. Jerusalem: A Tale of Destruction and Hope Jerusalem's walls have fallen multiple times throughout biblical history, each occasion carrying profound theological significance. The most notable destruction occurred in 586 BC when the Babylonians, under King Nebuchadnezzar, breached the walls of Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and exiled the people of Judah. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 25:10 : "And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the commander of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem." The fall of Jerusalem was seen as a direct result of Judah's unfaithfulness to God. However, the prophets also spoke of a future restoration, symbolized by the rebuilding of the walls, as seen in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Conclusion The biblical accounts of city walls falling serve as powerful reminders of God's sovereignty, judgment, and mercy. They illustrate the transient nature of human strength and the ultimate authority of the divine. These narratives continue to resonate with believers, offering lessons on faith, obedience, and the hope of restoration. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 20:30But the rest fled to Aphek, into the city; and there a wall fell on twenty and seven thousand of the men that were left. And Benhadad fled, and came into the city, into an inner chamber. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes An Exhortation to Peace and Unity Isaiah Fast-Day Service Sennacherib (705-681 BC ) The Rise of the Assyrian Empire Justinian. Chaldaean Civilization The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea The Reaction against Egypt Resources Why was it important to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should we learn from the walls of Jericho falling down? | GotQuestions.org What will be the purpose of the walls around the New Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics of the Cities Walls of Babylon of the Cities Walls of Bashan, Destroyed by the Israelites of the Cities Walls of Beth-Shan of the Cities Walls of Jericho of the Cities Walls of the New Jerusalem of the Cities Walls: Houses Built Upon Walls of Cities were Battered by Besieging Armies Walls of Cities were Broad and Places of Public Resort Walls of Cities were Strongly Manned in War Walls of Cities: Adroitness of Soldiers in Scaling Alluded To Walls of Cities: Custom of Dedicating Walls of Cities: Danger of Approaching Too Near To, in Time of War Walls of Cities: Destruction of, a Punishment and Cause of Grief Walls of Cities: Frequently Laid in Ruins Walls of Cities: had Towers Built on Them Walls of Cities: Houses often Built On Walls of Cities: Houses Sometimes Broken Down to Repair, and Fortify Walls of Cities: Idolatrous Rites Performed On Walls of Cities: Kept by Watchmen Night and Day Walls of Cities: Often Very High Walls of Cities: Persons Let Down From Walls of Cities: Sometimes Burned Walls of Cities: Strongly Fortified Walls of Cities: The Bodies of Enemies Sometimes Fastened On, As a Disgrace Walls of Cities: The Falling of, Sometimes Occasioned Great Destruction Walls of Houses: Could be Easily Dug Through Walls of Houses: had Nails or Pegs Fastened Into Them when Built Walls of Houses: Liable to Leprosy Walls of Houses: Often Infested With Serpents Walls of Houses: The Seat Next, Was the Place of Distinction Walls of Houses: Usually Plastered Walls of Ordinances As a Protection to the Church Walls of the Church As a Protection to the Nation Walls of the Protection of God Walls of the Wealth of the Rich in his own Conceit Walls of Those Who Afford Protection Walls were Probably often Strengthened With Plates of Iron or Brass Walls: (Bowing or Tottering) of the Wicked Under Judgments Walls: (Brazen) of Prophets in Their Testimony Against the Wicked Walls: (Daubed With Untempered Mortar) of the Teaching of False Walls: (Of Partition) Separation of Jews and Gentiles Walls: Designed for Separation Walls: Frequently Made of Stone and Wood Together Walls: Hyssop Frequently Grew On Walls: Miracles Connected With: Falling of the Walls of Jericho Walls: Miracles Connected With: Handwriting on the Wall of Belshazzar's Palace Walls: Small Towns and Villages Were not Surrounded By Related Terms |
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