Ἰεριχώ

Jericho

Definition

Ἰεριχώ (Jericho) is the name of a significant ancient city located in the Jordan Valley, approximately 15 miles northeast of Jerusalem and just north of the Dead Sea. In the New Testament, it is primarily referenced as a geographical location, the setting for several of Jesus' miracles and parables, such as the healing of blind Bartimaeus (Mark 10:46) and the encounter with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1). The city also carries historical and typological weight from the Old Testament, most famously as the first city conquered by Joshua and the Israelites, where the walls fell after they marched around them (Joshua 6). The single New Testament reference to this conquest is in Hebrews 11:30, where it is cited as an example of faith.

Biblical Usage

The word is used six times in the New Testament, exclusively as a proper noun for the city. It appears in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) as a location on Jesus' journey to Jerusalem, often marking the site of key events. In Luke, it is used in both a parable (the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:30) and historical narratives (Luke 18:35, 19:1). Its usage is consistently as a simple geographical marker, though its Old Testament history provides a rich backdrop for the New Testament events that occur there.

Etymology

Ἰεριχώ is a direct Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵊrîḥô). The Hebrew name's meaning is often associated with "fragrant" or "moon," possibly relating to the city's ancient lunar cult or its palm groves. The Greek form was adopted directly into the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament) and subsequently into the New Testament without semantic change, preserving its identity as a specific place name.

Semantic Range

Jericho holds theological significance as a symbol of both divine judgment and grace. Its destruction under Joshua (Joshua 6) represents God's judgment on Canaanite sin and the fulfillment of His promise. In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry in Jericho—healing the blind and bringing salvation to Zacchaeus—transforms the city's narrative into one of redemption and spiritual sight. The reference in Hebrews 11:30 elevates Jericho's fall to an archetype of faith-driven victory. Understanding this Greek place name connects these Testaments, showing how locations in Jesus' ministry are layered with historical covenant promises.

In the first-century Jewish cultural context, Jericho was known as a prosperous, palm-filled city near a major trade route and as a winter retreat for priests and the wealthy. It was also famously associated with its ancient, cursed ruins (Joshua 6:26), a history well-known to Jesus' audience. This dual identity—as both a thriving Herodian town and a symbol of ancient conquest—shaped how original hearers would have understood stories set there, such as the parable of the Good Samaritan on the dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho.

πόλις (polis, G4172) — A general Greek word for 'city'; Ἰεριχώ is a specific city name. Ἱεροσόλυμα (Hierosolyma, G2414) — The Greek name for Jerusalem, another key Judean city, distinct in location and theological role.

Word Details

Scripture References