Original Word: Ἱεριχώ
Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Hiericho
Pronunciation: hee-er-ee-KHO
Phonetic Spelling: (hee-er-ee-kho')
KJV: Jericho
Word Origin: [of Hebrew origin (H3405 (יְרִיחוֹ יְרֵחוֹ יְרִיחוֹה - Jericho))]

1. Jericho, a place in Israel

Jericho.

Of Hebrew origin (Yriychow); Jericho, a place in Palestine -- Jericho.

see HEBREW Yriychow

STRONGS NT 2410: ἱερείχω

ἱερείχω, see Ἰεριχώ.

STRONGS NT 2410: ἸεριχώἸεριχώ (Tdf. ἱερείχω (see his Proleg., p. 85; WH's Appendix, p. 155, and under the word εἰ, ἰ; WH Ἰεριχώ; see their Introductory § 408; on its accent in manuscripts cf. Tdf. Proleg., p. 103)), ἡ, indeclinable (on its declension in other writings cf. Winers Grammar, § 10, 2; in Strabo ἱερικους ἱερικουντος; ἱεριχους, ἱεριχουντος in Josephus, cf. Winer's Grammar, the passage cited; Hebrew יְרִיחו, from רִיחַ, to smell, so called from its fertility in aromatics), Jericho, a noted city, abounding in balsam (i. e. perhaps the opobalsamum; cf. Tristram, Nat. Hist. etc., p. 337; B. D. under the word ), honey, cyprus (probably Arabic:el-henna; cf. Tristram as above, under the word Camphire), myrobalanus (Arabic:zukkum), roses, and other fragrant productions. It was situated not far from the northern shore of the Dead Sea, in the tribe of Benjamin, between the city of Jerusalem and the river Jordan, 150 stadia from the former and 60 from the latter. Josephus, b. j. 4, 8, 3 calls its territory θεῖον χωρίον. It is mentioned in the N. T. in Matthew 20:29; Mark 10:46; Luke 10:30; Luke 18:35; Luke 19:1; Hebrews 11:30. As balsam was exported thence to other countries, we read Luke 19:2 that τελῶναι were stationed there, with an ἀρχιτελώνης, for the purpose of collecting the revenues. For a fuller account of the city see Winers RWB, under the word; Arnold in Herzog vi., p. 494f; Furrer in Schenkel iii., 209f; Keim, iii., 17f (English translation, 5:21f; BB. DD. under the word; cf. also Robinson, Researches etc. i. 547ff).

Geographical Setting

Jericho lies about fifteen miles northeast of Jerusalem in the lower Jordan Valley, some eight hundred feet below sea level. Fed by abundant springs, it is an oasis surrounded by arid hills and desert. Ancient trade routes crossed here, making the city a strategic gateway between the Judean highlands, the Jordan River, and the route toward Galilee and the Decapolis. Because of its luxuriant vegetation, it was called “the city of palms” (Deuteronomy 34:3).

Old Testament Foundations

Jericho’s first biblical appearance is as the fortified Canaanite stronghold that blocked Israel’s entry into the land promised to Abraham. Under Joshua, the city fell when “the people shouted and the trumpet sounded” and “the wall collapsed” (Joshua 6:20). The conquest highlighted the LORD’s power and Israel’s obligation to obey in faith. Jericho was subsequently placed under the ban; all valuables were devoted to the LORD, and the city itself was not to be rebuilt (Joshua 6:17–26). Achan’s violation of the ban (Joshua 7) and Hiel’s later rebuilding under Ahab (1 Kings 16:34) reinforced the seriousness of covenant obedience.

Historical Continuity and Archaeology

Tell es-Sultan, the ancient mound of Jericho, shows occupational layers stretching back to the Neolithic era. While debates over the exact dating of the fallen walls continue, the biblical narrative remains internally coherent, and the city’s strategic importance is consistently affirmed by extra-biblical sources from the Bronze and Iron Ages through the Hellenistic and Roman periods.

Jericho in the Intertestamental Era

During the Hasmonean and Herodian periods, Jericho became a royal estate famed for balsam groves and date palms. Herod the Great built a winter palace complex just north of the city, complete with aqueducts, bathhouses, and gardens—setting the backdrop for New Testament events.

New Testament Presence

1. Journey Terminus and Threshold
• Matthew 20:29; Mark 10:46 record that Jesus and His disciples “were leaving Jericho,” whereas Luke 18:35 speaks of approaching the city—indicating travel through both the older tell and the newer Herodian quarter.
2. Healing of the Blind
• “As Jesus was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar named Bartimaeus… began to cry out” (Mark 10:46–47). The restoration of sight near Jericho fulfilled Isaiah’s vision of Messiah opening blind eyes (Isaiah 35:5) and illustrated salvation light dawning at the threshold of the promised land.
3. Zacchaeus and Salvation
• “Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man named Zacchaeus… a chief tax collector and was wealthy” (Luke 19:1–2). In the home of this socially ostracized but repentant man, Jesus declared, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9). Thus Jericho became a stage for personal redemption immediately before the triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
4. Parable of the Good Samaritan
• Jesus framed His parable along “the road from Jerusalem to Jericho” (Luke 10:30), notorious for its steep descent and lawlessness. The setting underscored the danger, making the Samaritan’s compassion stand out against the neglect of the priest and Levite.

Jericho and the Theology of Faith

Hebrews 11:30 summarizes Jericho’s fall with the words, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.” The city thereby serves as a perpetual monument to the principle that divine promises are realized through obedient trust, foreshadowing the New Covenant call to walk by faith and not by sight.

Symbolic Motifs

• Firstfruits of Conquest: As the initial city defeated west of the Jordan, Jericho represents the LORD’s claim on the land and the necessity of consecration.
• Reversal of Curses: Whereas the Canaanite city was destroyed under a ban, the visit of Jesus turns Jericho into a place of healing and salvation, displaying the Messiah’s power to reverse judgment.
• Gateway Imagery: Geographically a portal between desert and cultivated land, Jericho typifies transition—from wilderness wandering to inheritance (Joshua), and from earthly journey to messianic deliverance (Gospels).

Key New Testament References

• Matthew 20:29
• Mark 10:46 (twice, textual variants list Jericho twice in the verse)
• Luke 10:30
• Luke 18:35
• Luke 19:1
• Hebrews 11:30

Ministry Applications

Jericho encourages believers to:

1. Trust God to overcome seemingly impregnable obstacles.
2. Recognize that salvation reaches the outcast (Zacchaeus) and the neglected (blind beggar).
3. Demonstrate neighbor-love that transcends cultural boundaries, as taught in the Samaritan parable.
4. Live in expectant faith, confident that present obedience participates in God’s unfolding redemptive plan just as surely as Israel’s march around ancient walls.

Ιερειχω Ἰερειχώ Ἰερειχὼ Ἰεριχώ Ἰεριχὼ Iericho Ierichō Ierichṓ IerichṑInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts