יהושע, פרק ו׳, פסוק כ״ו

Following the complete destruction of Jericho and the confiscation of its wealth, a severe and permanent decree is placed upon the city. The goal is to leave Jericho in ruins forever, preventing any future attempt to restore it. This is not an independent initiative by Joshua, but a direct command from God, as rebuilding the city would mean reversing the Divine will [אברבנאל]. Therefore, the decree is declared as a formal curse before God [מצודת דוד]. The primary reason for this ban is to permanently memorialize the miracle of the city's fall. Leaving the area in ruins serves as a living testimony for all future generations. Anyone who looks at the sunken walls will immediately understand that this was not the standard destruction of war, but an open, undeniable miracle performed by God [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].

The prohibition is absolute and extends in two distinct directions. It is forbidden to build on this specific plot of land even if the new city is given a different name, and it is equally forbidden to build a new city elsewhere and name it Jericho [רד״ק, מלבי״ם, אברבנאל].

A heavy penalty awaits anyone who dares to violate this ban, and the punishment unfolds over the entire duration of the construction process. When the builder lays the foundations of the city, his firstborn son will die. As the building continues, his other sons will die one after another. Finally, when the work is complete and he sets up the doors of the city, his youngest son will die, leaving him completely childless [רש״י, מצודת דוד, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ, אברבנאל].

This devastating consequence operates on the principle of measure for measure. A person typically establishes a city to immortalize his name and leave behind a lasting legacy. Therefore, one who attempts to rebuild the very city that God chose to destroy will be punished by having God destroy his own family and erase his descendants, leaving him with no name or legacy [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל]. This terrible curse was eventually fulfilled in its entirety many generations later, during the reign of King Ahab, when Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho [אברבנאל].