Conquest of Canaan and Fall of Jericho

The military campaign (c. 1406-1400 BCE traditional / 1230-1220 BCE alternative) when Joshua led the Israelites across the Jordan River and conquered Canaan, beginning with the dramatic fall of Jericho’s walls after Israel marched around the city for seven days while priests blew trumpets and carried the ark of the covenant. On the seventh day, after marching around the city seven times, the people shouted and the walls collapsed, allowing the Israelites to capture the city—sparing only Rahab the prostitute and her family, who had hidden Joshua’s spies and tied a scarlet cord in her window as a sign of protection.

The conquest continued through southern and northern Canaan with victories over Canaanite coalitions at Gibeon (where Joshua prayed and “the sun stood still”), Hazor, and numerous other cities. After years of military campaigns, Joshua divided the conquered land among the twelve tribes as their inheritance, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham’s descendants. However, the conquest remained incomplete—many Canaanite populations survived in unconquered territories, setting the stage for centuries of conflict detailed in Judges. At Shechem near the end of his life, Joshua challenged Israel: “Choose this day whom you will serve… but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD,” and the people renewed their covenant commitment before his death at age 110.