Yericho: What Really Happened?

Understanding the conquest of Yericho as described in Yehoshua Perek 6

Due to fear of an impending attack by Bnei Yisrael, Yericho was hermetically sealed, with seven layers of walled protection as well as magical protection. No one could go in or out. It was also filled with warriors from the surrounding nations who were prepared to fight.

Against this backdrop, Hashem said to Yehoshua, I will hand Yericho to you. Meaning the city, the king and the army will all fall, including the warriors of all the surrounding nations who gathered in Yericho to fight Bnei Yisrael. This would be the first of ten cities which Yehoshua would capture in Canaan.

Hashem then outlined to Yehoshua a 5 phase plan as to how this would happen.

1. All those of military age (אנשי המלחמה), between 20 and 60, where to surround the city of Yericho, they were not just to stand in one place, but to walk around the city. This should be done for six days.

2. The Kohanim who were carrying the Aron were also to walk around the city. 7 Kohanim - each carrying a Shofar were to walk in front of the Ar…