The curse would come to be realized many years later when a man named Hiel rebuilt the city and lost his firstborn and youngest sons in the process (1 Kings 16:34). Before that time the city was lived in on occasions (e.g., Joshua 18:21; Judges 3:13; 2 Samuel 10:5). However, it seems as if Hiel was the first person who tried to formally rebuild it.
26 Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, “Cursed before the LORD be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho. “At the cost of his firstborn shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates.”