Cities & towns · Jordan Valley

Jericho

What was Jericho?

Jericho is the ancient city near the Jordan whose walls fell before Joshua — and where Jesus later healed the blind and met Zacchaeus.

TodayTell es-Sultan, beside modern Jericho in the Jordan Valley

Known asThe city of palms

Famous forWalls that fell; Zacchaeus

ElevationOne of the lowest cities on earth

As Israel entered the Promised Land, fortified Jericho stood first in their path. After the people marched around it seven days, the walls collapsed at a shout, and only Rahab’s family was spared.

Centuries later a rebuilt Jericho lay on the road from the Jordan up to Jerusalem — the setting of the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Passing through it on his last journey, Jesus gave sight to blind Bartimaeus and brought salvation to the house of Zacchaeus the tax collector.

Key verses BSB · Public Domain (CC0)

Joshua 6:20 “So when the rams’ horns sounded, the people shouted. When they heard the blast of the horn, the people gave a great shout, and the wall collapsed. Then all the people charged straight into the city and captured it.” Luke 19:1 “Then Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.” Luke 10:30 “Jesus took up this question and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead.”

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Original BibleDawn profile. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy. Scripture quoted from the public-domain Berean Standard Bible.