Joshua 6:19 · Bible study
Joshua 6:19 Commentary: Holy Devoted Metals to Yahweh's Treasury
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why were the precious metals of Jericho set apart as holy and brought into the Lord's treasury instead of destroyed? A study of the ban's application.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The precious metals of Jericho are consecrated to Yahweh and placed in the tabernacle treasury, set apart from destruction as holy firstfruits of the conquest.
- Key words: קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh, “holy”, set apart for God); אוצר (otzar, “treasury”, storehouse of the sanctuary).
- Main debate: Whether the metals from idols were included (Deuteronomy 7:25 commands burning them; the text here does not specify their origin).
- Theological theme: God claims the first spoils of victory as holy; what is devoted to Him must not be taken by individuals.
- Best use: Teaching the principle of firstfruits and the danger of misusing what belongs to God.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
For all the silver and gold and all the articles of bronze and iron are holy to the LORD; they must go into His treasury.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
But all the silver, gold, and vessels of bronze and iron are holy to Yahweh. They shall come into Yahweh’s treasury.”
KJV King James Version 1769
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are holy unto Jehovah: they shall come into the treasury of Jehovah.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
and all the silver and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, holy they are to Jehovah; into the treasury of Jehovah they come.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And all the silver, and gold, and vessels of copper and iron, shall be holy to Jehovah; they shall come into the treasury of Jehovah.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
But whatsoever gold or silver there shall be, or vessels of brass and iron, let it be consecrated to the Lord, laid up in his treasures.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Mas toda la plata, y el oro, y vasos de metal y de hierro, sea consagrado á Jehová, y venga al tesoro de Jehová.
Mas toda a prata, e o ouro, e vasos de bronze e de ferro, seja consagrado ao SENHOR, e venha ao tesouro do SENHOR.
Tout l’ argent et tout l’ or, tous les objets d’ airain et de fer, seront consacrés à l’ Éternel, et entreront dans le trésor de l’ Éternel.
Aber alles Silber und Gold samt dem ehernen Geräte soll dem HERRN geheiligt sein, daß es zu des HERRN Schatz komme.
Maar al het zilver en goud, en de koperen en ijzeren vaten, zullen den HEERE heilig zijn; tot den schat des HEEREN zullen zij komen.
Ma tutto l’argento, l’oro e gli oggetti di rame e di ferro saranno consacrati all’Eterno; entreranno nel tesoro dell’Eterno”.
Ale wszystko srebro i złoto i naczynia miedziane i żelazne, święte będą Panu; do skarbu Pańskiego złożone będą.
Народ воскликнул, и затрубили трубами. Как скоро услышал народ голос трубы, воскликнул народ [весь вместе] громким [и сильным] голосом, и обрушилась [вся] стена [города] до своего основания, и [весь] народ пошел в город, каждый с своей стороны, и взяли город.
惟有金子、銀子，和銅 鐵 的器皿 都 要 歸耶和華 為聖，必入 耶和華 的庫中。」
But all the silver and gold and the vessels of brass and iron are holy to the Lord: they are to come into the store-house of the Lord.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Joshua 6:19
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that the metals from Jericho were designated as holy because they were part of the cherem, or ban, a total devotion to God that required either destruction or consecration to the sanctuary. The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges notes that the entire city was cherem; Gill’s Exposition stresses that these metals were “set apart for the Lord, and dedicated to sacred uses” and could not be converted to any other purpose. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown explains that under the ban, “everything was either to be destroyed or consecrated to the sanctuary.” The word קֹדֶשׁ (qodesh, “holy”) indicates something set apart exclusively for Yahweh. Thus the metals were not spoils for individuals but offered as firstfruits of the conquest to the tabernacle treasury, establishing a pattern for later dedicated spoils (1 Kings 7:51; 1 Chronicles 18:11).
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: The precious metals were set apart as holy to Yahweh and placed in the tabernacle treasury as part of the ban on Jericho, not taken by individuals.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Nature of the ban (cherem) on Jericho | All traditions agree that the city and its contents were wholly devoted to God, either through destruction or consecration to the sanctuary. | Some traditions emphasize that the ban was unique to the conquest of Canaan and not a model for later warfare, while others see it as a permanent principle of God’s claim on the first and best. |
| Fate of metals from idols | All agree that the metals listed (silver, gold, bronze, iron) were brought to the treasury. | There is discussion about whether metals taken from idols were excluded (per Deuteronomy 7:25, which commands burning idols and not coveting the gold on them). The text does not specify that these metals came from idols. |
| Treasury location | The metals entered the treasury of the Lord, understood as a storehouse in the tabernacle. | Later references (1 Kings 7:51) speak of the treasury of the temple; some see continuity, while others note the shift from tabernacle to temple. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The capture of Jericho was Israel’s first battle in the conquest of Canaan, and the city was treated as a cherem, a total ban that set it apart for God alone. In ancient Near Eastern warfare, victorious armies often claimed plunder; but here God commanded that nothing from Jericho be taken by individuals. Instead, the entire city was devoted to destruction, and only the durable precious metals, silver, gold, bronze, and iron, were to be brought into the treasury of the tabernacle.
This treatment of metals echoes Numbers 31:22-23, where spoil from Midian was purified by fire and dedicated. The metals from Jericho were likely purified as well (Wesley’s Notes mention passing through fire). The “treasury of the Lord” refers to a storehouse in the tabernacle (Gill, citing Kimchi and Abarbinel) where offerings and dedicated items were kept. Later kings like David and Solomon followed this pattern, bringing silver and gold from conquered nations into the temple treasuries (2 Samuel 8:11; 1 Kings 7:51).
By claiming the first fruits of battle, God asserted His sovereignty over the land and its wealth. The ban also served as a warning: to take what was devoted would bring trouble on the camp (Joshua 6:18). This prohibition sets the stage for the sin of Achan, who violated the ban in the very next chapter.
Textual Notes
The supplied sources note no significant textual variants for Joshua 6:19. The wording is consistent across major manuscripts and translations.
Reception History
This verse has been read primarily within the context of the herem (ban) and the conquest narrative. Early Jewish interpreters saw it as a precedent for dedicating spoils of war to the sanctuary. The early church, following Hebrews 4:8, often understood Joshua as a type of Christ, here, the treasury may symbolize the heavenly storehouse where Christ brings the spoils of His victory. Protestant commentators (Matthew Henry, Gill, Wesley) focused on the moral lesson: God’s claim on the firstfruits and the danger of covetousness, as illustrated by Achan’s sin. Catholic and Orthodox traditions, while agreeing on the historical meaning, have typically incorporated the verse into broader discussions of consecration and the proper use of wealth for sacred purposes.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- God claims the first spoils. The silver, gold, and vessels are not to be taken by soldiers but brought to Yahweh’s treasury. The first victory’s wealth belongs to Him, teaching that all our firstfruits, time, resources, talents, are meant to honor God.
- Holiness means separation. The metals are “holy” (qodesh), set apart from common use. They are not destroyed as useless but dedicated for sacred service. This reminds us that God redeems and repurposes what we offer Him.
- Taking devoted things brings disaster. The command not to take any devoted item (v. 18) leads directly to Achan’s sin (Joshua 7). The metals are holy, not loot; treating holy things as common draws judgment.
Five-Point Outline
- The ban: why Jericho was treated differently from later cities (Deuteronomy 20:10-15 distinguishes distant cities from cities within Canaan).
- The distinction within the ban: people and animals destroyed, metals consecrated. Not everything under the ban is destroyed; some is preserved for God’s house.
- The treasury as a place of provision: metals fund tabernacle worship (see Exodus 25:1-7 for the original tabernacle offering).
- The danger of greed: Achan’s sin shows the heart’s temptation to take what belongs to God.
- The principle of firstfruits: Proverbs 3:9, honor the Lord with your wealth, the firstfruits of all your crops.
Illustration Hooks
- A sports team’s first championship trophy: players may want to keep it, but they decide to display it in a community hall so everyone benefits. The metals of Jericho go to the tabernacle for all Israel’s worship.
- A family’s first paycheck from a new job: they set aside the first portion as a tithe before spending any on themselves. This mirrors giving the first fruits of conquest to God.
- A business owner dedicates the first year’s profits to a charity, knowing the venture belongs to God. Joshua’s command treats the first city’s wealth as sacred.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- “Why did God allow the Israelites to keep the metals but command destruction of everything else?”
- “Does this passage mean we have to give all our money to the church?”
- “What about the gold and silver on idols? Was that given to God too?” (Deuteronomy 7:25 says idols and their ornaments must be burned.)
Leading a Discussion
This verse sits at the hinge of Joshua 6. The city has fallen, but the commands about devotion (cherem) still echo. God claims the precious metals for His treasury, while everything else is destroyed. This raises deep questions about what belongs to God and how we treat the first things in our lives.
Discussion Questions
- Observation: Read Joshua 6:17-19. What items are designated as holy, and what is their destination?
- Interpretation: Why do you think the metals were treated differently from the rest of the city? What does the word “holy” (qodesh) imply about their new status?
- Interpretation: How does the ban (cherem) on Jericho differ from later instructions about plunder in Deuteronomy 20?
- Application: In what areas of your life do you find it hard to treat the “first” or the “best” as belonging to God rather than keeping them for yourself?
- Connection: How does the fate of Achan (Joshua 7) illustrate the seriousness of taking what is set apart for God?
- Wider Scripture: Compare Numbers 31:22-23 and 1 Kings 7:51. What patterns do you see in how spoils were dedicated to the Lord?
- Prayer: Spend time asking God to help your group honor Him with the “first” portions of your resources and talents.
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Leviticus 19:24 | But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, for giving praise to Yahweh. |
| Numbers 31:22 | However the gold, and the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead, |
| II Samuel 8:11 | King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and gold that he dedicated of all the nations which he subdued— |
| I Kings 7:51 | Thus all the work that King Solomon did in Yahweh’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the vessels—and put them in the treasuries of Yahweh’s house. |
| I Kings 14:26 | and he took away the treasures of Yahweh’s house and the treasures of the king’s house. He even took away all of it, including all the gold shields which Solomon had made. |
| II Kings 24:13 | He carried out from there all the treasures of Yahweh’s house and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in Yahweh’s temple, as Yahweh had said. |
| I Chronicles 18:11 | King David also dedicated these to Yahweh, with the silver and the gold that he carried away from all the nations: from Edom, from Moab, from the children of Ammon, from the Philistines, and from Amalek. |
| I Chronicles 26:20 | Of the Levites, Ahijah was over the treasures of God’s house and over the treasures of the dedicated things. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
8 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes a parallel between the biblical treasury and the Brahmin practice of accepting gold and silver from any caste, even the degraded. Receiving food or garments from Shoodras, however, was considered a great disgrace. This distinction illustrates a principle of selective purity in offerings.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible Schools points out that "are consecrated" means wholly set apart as holy to the Lord, matching the margin reading. This usage parallels the concept of cherem, the total devotion of Jericho and everything in it, where nothing was kept for ordinary purposes.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva note draws a clear line: precious metals and vessels taken from Jericho are not to be destroyed alongside the rest but are set apart as sacred to the Lord. They belong to His treasury, not to any individual, marking them as holy spoils devoted entirely to God.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill stresses the absolute consecration of Jericho's precious metals: every piece of silver, gold, brass and iron was set apart exclusively for sacred use in the tabernacle treasury. Nothing could be converted to common purposes, except the metal on idols, which had to be burned.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
jfb explains that Joshua pronounced the ban on Jericho by God's direct command. The severity was justified because the inhabitants had resisted the miracle at the Jordan and belonged to a race whose sins were complete. Destroying this wealthy city paralyzed the land, proving the conquest was God's work, not human power.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange emphasizes the patient, silent procession around Jericho for six days as an exercise in unconditional faith, designed to teach Israel that only God's power could conquer the city. He sees the miracle as a type of the final overthrow of all worldly powers opposed to God's kingdom, signaling that victory comes through divine intervention, not human effort.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry emphasizes the clear distinction between what is devoted to destruction and what is consecrated to the Lord. The entire city and its inhabitants were accursed, but the precious metals were set apart for God's treasury, and Rahab's family alone was preserved alive because of her faithful act in hiding the spies.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that only vessels made of brass and iron were consecrated to the Lord, while those formed into idols were to be destroyed entirely. He emphasizes that these items were first purified by fire and then set apart exclusively for tabernacle service, never for private or priestly use.