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JERICHO.—A city situated in the Jordan valley about 5 miles from the north end of the Dead Sea, now represented by the miserable village of er-Rîha. It was the first city conquered by the Israelites after their passage of the Jordan. The course of events, from the sending of the spies to the destruction of Achan for infraction of the tabu on the spoil, is too well known to need repetition here (see Jos_1:1-18; Jos_2:1-24; Jos_3:1-17; Jos_4:1-24; Jos_5:1-15; Jos_6:1-27; Jos_7:1-26). A small hamlet remained on the site, belonging to Benjamin (Jos_18:21), which was insignificant enough for David’s ambassadors to retire to, to recover from their insulting treatment by Hanun (2Sa_10:5, 1Ch_19:5). The city was re-founded by Hiel, a Bethelite, who apparently endeavoured to avert the curse pronounced by Joshua over the site by sacrificing his sons (1Ki_16:34). A college of prophets was shortly afterwards founded here (2Ki_2:4), for whose benefit Elisha healed its bitter waters (2Ki_2:18). Hither the Israelites who had raided Judah, in the time of Ahaz, restored their captives on the advice of the prophet Oded (2Ch_28:15). Here the Babylonians finally defeated Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, and so destroyed the Judahite kingdom (2Ki_25:5, Jer_39:5; Jer_52:8). Bacchides, the general of the Syrians in the Maccabæan period, captured and fortified Jericho (1Ma_9:50); Aristobulus also took it (Jos. [Note: Josephus.] Ant. XIV. i. 2). Pompey encamped here on his way to Jerusalem (ib. XIV. iv. 1). Its inhabitants, whom the great heat of the Ghôr had deprived of fighting strength, fled before Herod (ib. XIV. xv. 3) and Vespasian (BJ IV. viii. 2). In the Gospels Jericho figures in the stories of Bartimæus (Mat_20:29, Mar_10:46, Luk_18:35), Zacchæus (Luk_19:1), and the Good Samaritan (Luk_10:30).
The modern er-Rîha is not exactly on the site of ancient Jericho, which is a collection of mounds beside the spring traditionally associated with Elisha. The Roman and Byzantine towns are represented by other sites in the neighbourhood. Ancient aqusducts, mills, and other antiquities are numerous, as are also remains of early monasticism.
The site, though unhealthy for man, is noted for its fertility. Josephus (BJ IV. viii. 3) speaks of it with enthusiasm. Even yet it is an important source of fruit supply. The district round Jericho is the personal property of the Sultan.
R. A. S. Macalister.