In | Jericho and Sodom

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The fall of Jericho stands out as an iconic episode in Israel’s history. But this isn’t the first time in the Bible that we’ve seen a major city in the crosshairs of YHWH. The destruction of Sodom in Genesis involved many of the same components we see in Jericho. For example, Rahab and Lot have similar roles as hosts in a doomed city. Daniel Hawk has drawn out the following parallels between these stories.

Source: L. Daniel Hawk, Joshua, 2000, p. 39.

Sodom	Jericho
Strangers enter Sodom, intending to sleep in the city plaza, but they lodge with Lot (Genesis 19:1-3).	Strangers enter Jericho and lodge with Rahab (Joshua 2:1).
Citizens demand the strangers be brought out (Genesis 19:4-5).	The king’s men demand the strangers be brought out (Joshua 2:2-3).
Lot offers his daughters, who “have not known men,” in order to save his guests (Genesis 19:6-8)	Rahab claims “not to know” in order to save her guests (Joshua 2:4).
The men are blinded and sent away (Genesis 19:9-11).	The men are fooled and sent away (Joshua 2:5-7).
Visitors announce the destruction of Sodom.	Rahab anticipates the destruction of Jericho.
Lot is told to gather his family and flee (Genesis 19:12-17).	Rahab negotiates the deliverance of her family (Joshua 2:8-14).
Lot is told to flee to the hills (Genesis 19:15-17).	Rahab tells the spies to flee to the hills (Joshua 2:16).
The angels agree to modify the command (Genesis 19:21-22).	Rahab agrees to the modification (Joshua 2:21).
Sodom and Gomorrah are destroyed (Genesis 19:24-25).	Jericho is destroyed (Joshua 2:15-21).
Lot and his family are spared – except for his wife (Genesis 19:26).	Rahab and her entire family are spared (Joshua 2:22-25).

Joshua: Conquest

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In | Jericho and Sodom

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