ProlepsisOpen in the graph →

Prophecy

Jericho rebuilt at the cost of two sons (Joshua 6; 1 Kings 16)

The seven trumpets around Jericho (Josh 6:13), just before the fall and the curse of Josh 6:26: artist’s impression by James Tissot, around 1896-1902.
Artist’s impression The seven trumpets around Jericho (Josh 6:13), just before the fall and the curse of Josh 6:26: artist’s impression by James Tissot, around 1896-1902. — James Tissot, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

○ Written after the events, according to historians; tradition dates it before

Written c. 1406–1230 BC according to tradition; c. 640–560 BC according to historians. Event: c. 874–853 BC.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. In the book of Joshua, after the capture of Jericho, around 1400 or 1230 BC according to tradition, Joshua curses whoever rebuilds the city: he will lay its foundations at the cost of his firstborn son and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son.

What happened. According to the first book of Kings, Hiel of Bethel rebuilds Jericho under King Ahab, around 874–853 BC, and loses his two sons. Excavations confirm a reoccupation of the site in the 9th century BC, but the death of the sons is told only by the Bible.

What is still debated. the curse and its fulfillment belong to the same group of books, whose authors may have written one to “close the loop” on the other.

What would be striking if the text came first

The curse is unusually precise, and the book of Kings tells of its fulfillment under King Ahab. Excavations confirm the rebuilding; the death of the two sons is reported only by the Bible, and historians date these texts to after the events.

Main objection (in French for now)

La conquête de Jéricho elle-même est douteuse : l’occupation du Bronze récent est mince et incertaine, ce qui fait de Jos 6 un récit étiologique plutôt qu’un témoignage.

The text (World English Bible)

Joshua commanded them with an oath at that time, saying, “Cursed is the man before the LORD who rises up and builds this city Jericho. With the loss of his firstborn he will lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he will set up its gates.”

Josh 6:26

Sources