066 The Jericho Tomb

Museum Description: The Jericho Tomb

Room: 58/Case: None/Number: None

Scripture: Joshua 6:25

This is from a tomb of seven people, six of whom died at the same time, perhaps in a raid or due to a family feud.  It is from Jericho, most famous for being the home city of Rahab, who with her family, were the only survivors of the destruction of the city by Joshua and his army.

Jericho is said to be the oldest city in the world.  We get interesting insight into two scriptures that first appear to contradict each other.  When Jesus healed a blind man, Mark 10:46 says he was coming into Jericho, but in Matthew 20:29 it says he was coming out of Jericho.  Excavations have shown there were actually two cities of Jericho, old and new.  Jesus was evidently leaving one and entering the other when he performed the miracle.  With only one account, he could have been at any point entering or leaving the city, but using them both we know exactly where he was.  Other similar or related artefacts are on display in The British Museum.