Joshua 7:24

The Sin of Achan · Joshua 7:16–26
Read Joshua 7

Translations

Modern
Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor.
Traditional
And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
Literal
And Joshua took Achan son of Zerah, and the silver, and the cloak, and the wedge of the gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his donkeys, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that was unto him, and all Israel with him, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor.
Latin
Tollens itaque Josue Achan filium Zare, argentumque et pallium, et auream regulam, filios quoque et filias ejus, boves et asinos et oves, ipsumque tabernaculum, et cunctam supellectilem (et omnis Israël cum eo), duxerunt eos ad vallem Achor:

Original

Hebrew
English
Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor.

Notes

This careful list of Achan’s relatives and possessions, including the stolen items, has the tone of a legal statement. By taking the stolen items, Achan brought guilt on everything connected to him. For this reason, all were included in the judgment against him.

After Jericho became part of Israel, Joshua's first military task was to secure a position in the hill country. Conquering Jericho boosted Israel's confidence and left the people of Canaan feeling discouraged and without hope. However, everything depended on Israel's obedience to God. The sin of one man and its consequences show the importance of the command to destroy Jericho (see “Complete Dedication” Theme Note).

Events

People

Achan: An Israelite who stole devoted things, causing Israel's defeat Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan Zerah: Son of Judah, twin of Perez

Places

Valley of Achor: A valley near Jericho, where Achan was stoned

Glossary

Achor Adam (Person) Ai Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Conquest and Allotment of the Land Criminal Law and Punishment Curse, Cursed Joshua (Person) Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Tribe of Dan

Topics

Discipline of Armies, for Disobedience of Orders Dishonesty: Achan Hides the Wedge of Gold and the Babylonian Garment Disobedience to God of Achan, in Hiding the Wedge of Gold and the Babylonian Garnient Intercession: Exemplified Self-Condemnation: Achan Self-Incrimination: Achan Valleys: Achor