Ἱεριχώ

From the study of Mark 10:46

Range of meaning

Jericho, the oasis town in the lower Jordan valley about 24 km (15 miles) east-northeast of Jerusalem. In Jesus' day there were two sites: the ancient mound (Tell es-Sultan, largely unoccupied) and the Hasmonean–Herodian city about 2 km to the south at the mouth of the Wadi Qelt.

Against the English

English gives only 'Jericho'. Readers will think of Joshua's walls, while Mark's audience would also know the Roman-era town: palaces, gardens and wealth.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament uses the same spelling for Joshua's city (Josh 6). Josephus describes Jericho's springs, date palms and balsam groves, and gives the distance to Jerusalem as about 150 stadia through rugged, barren country (Jewish War 4.451–475). Herod built winter palaces there and died there (Antiquities 17.173–193). Rabbinic tradition remembers many priests living in Jericho.

From the study of Matthew 20:29

Range of meaning

The Greek form of Hebrew Yeriḥo. It names the oasis city in the lower Jordan valley, about 250 m below sea level, fed by the spring now called Ein es-Sultan and by aqueducts.

Against the English

Every English version simply says 'Jericho.' What a modern reader may miss is that the Jericho of Jesus' day was not mainly the ruined mound of Joshua 6. It was a wealthy royal estate town built up by the Hasmonean kings and then by Herod the Great, a short distance to the south at the mouth of the Wadi Qelt.

Used elsewhere in the period

Josephus describes its palm groves and its balsam, an expensive perfume and medicine (War 4.459–475), and puts it 150 stadia (about 28 km) from Jerusalem (War 4.474). Herod the Great died in his palace at Jericho (Antiquities 17.173–193). Excavations of the Hasmonean and Herodian palaces at Tulul Abu el-'Alayiq were led by Ehud Netzer.