The first city to be conquered by Joshua and the Israelites, Jericho relied on its impenetrable fortifications to withstand any attack. After receiving his spies’ report that the fear of Israel gripped the city’s inhabitants, Joshua led his army in a march around Jericho’s massive walls for seven days. On the seventh day the walls miraculously gave way, allowing the Israelites to conquer the city.

The walls did not actually “come tumbling down” as the old spiritual has it. Since they were as thick as they were high, such a tumble would have been meaningless. They sank into the ground, with only a small portion remaining above the ground to mark the miracle.

Modern Jericho is populated by Arabs, but it contains an ancient synagogue which Jews have made repeated efforts to preserve as a Jewish holy place.

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