King James Version
Joshua 7
26 verses with commentary
Achan's Sin and Israel's Defeat
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
This verse marks a tragic turning point from Jericho's victory to Ai's defeat. The phrase 'committed a trespass' (<em>maal maal</em>, מַעַל מַעַל) uses intensified language—<em>maal</em> means treacherous violation of sacred trust. The 'accursed thing' (<em>cherem</em>, חֵרֶם) refers to items devoted to God or destruction that humans must not touch (Joshua 6:17-19). Achan's taking what belonged to...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
VII.
(1) **Achan . . . of the tribe of Judah.**—The tribe of Judah is distinguished in sacred history both for great crimes and great achievements. (See *Names on the Gates of Pearl.*—Judah.)
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 7
Chapter Outline
The Israelites smitten at Ai.(1-5)
Joshua's humiliation and prayer.(6-9)
God instructs Joshua what to do.(10-5)
Achan is detected, He is destroyed.(16-26)
**Verses 1-5**
Achan took some of the spoil of Jericho. The love of the world is that root of bitterness, which of all others is most hardly rooted up. We should take heed of sin ourselves, les...
Read full commentary →And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
<strong>And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the land. And the men went up and viewed Ai.</strong><br><br>After Jericho's spectacular victory, Joshua employs conventional military reconnaissance—a fatal error given the unconfessed sin in the camp. The command to "view the land" (<em>ragelu et-ha'ar...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(2) **Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai.**—Why Ai should be the next town selected for attack after Jericho, is a question which perhaps we cannot answer with certainty. But we may observe that the next step after the capture of Ai, before the further conquest of the country, was to set up the Ten Commandments in Mount Ebal, in the heart of the country, and to pronounce there the blessing and the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 7
Chapter Outline
The Israelites smitten at Ai.(1-5)
Joshua's humiliation and prayer.(6-9)
God instructs Joshua what to do.(10-5)
Achan is detected, He is destroyed.(16-26)
**Verses 1-5**
Achan took some of the spoil of Jericho. The love of the world is that root of bitterness, which of all others is most hardly rooted up. We should take heed of sin ourselves, les...
Read full commentary →And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few. about: Heb. about two thousand men, or, about three thousand men
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The spies' advice—'let not all the people go up'—seems militarily prudent. Ai was small; why exhaust the whole army? But this reasoning reveals subtle pride: trusting military calculation over seeking God's direction. Notice: no mention of consulting the LORD, no inquiry before the ark, no priestly participation. Israel's first defeat stems from prayerlessness and presumption. The phrase 'they are...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) **Make not all the people to labour thither.**—In these words we see, by a sort of side-glance, the (not unnatural) comment of Israel on the seven days’ march round Jericho. They thought it useless labour, and were unable to appreciate the lesson which it taught. Again our attention is directed to the peculiar character of the warfare. It was *not *that kind of war which men would naturally ha...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**29. Oh, ... that they would consider their latter end--**The terrible judgments, which, in the event of their continued and incorrigible disobedience, would impart so awful a character to the close of their national history.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 7
Chapter Outline
The Israelites smitten at Ai.(1-5)
Joshua's humiliation and prayer.(6-9)
God instructs Joshua what to do.(10-5)
Achan is detected, He is destroyed.(16-26)
**Verses 1-5**
Achan took some of the spoil of Jericho. The love of the world is that root of bitterness, which of all others is most hardly rooted up. We should take heed of sin ourselves, les...
Read full commentary →So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
About three thousand men went up—but they fled before the men of Ai. The Hebrew נוּס (nus—to flee) indicates disorderly retreat, not strategic withdrawal. Israel's defeat was complete and humiliating. The shock must have been immense: after Jericho's supernatural victory, a small city's defenders rout them. This demonstrates a crucial principle: yesterday's victory doesn't guarantee today's succes...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **They fled before the men of Ai.**—A very natural reaction from overweening confidence to utter dismay is exhibited in this incident and its effect (Joshua 7:5), “the heart of the people melted and became as water.” The demoralisation of Israel was a suitable penalty for their assumption, quite apart from its supernatural cause. It was absolutely necessary that the character of the conquest o...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 7
Chapter Outline
The Israelites smitten at Ai.(1-5)
Joshua's humiliation and prayer.(6-9)
God instructs Joshua what to do.(10-5)
Achan is detected, He is destroyed.(16-26)
**Verses 1-5**
Achan took some of the spoil of Jericho. The love of the world is that root of bitterness, which of all others is most hardly rooted up. We should take heed of sin ourselves, les...
Read full commentary →And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water. in: or, in Morad
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The men of Ai killed about thirty-six Israelites and chased them from the gate to Shebarim, striking them in the descent. Though numerically small casualties by ancient warfare standards, the defeat's significance was profound. The Hebrew שְׁבָרִים (sheba rim) means 'breaking places' or 'stone quarries'—likely a descent where fleeing troops were vulnerable. The phrase 'smote them in the going down...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Shebarim**—i.e., the crevices, or ravines. A short distance below Ai the road passes the head of steep glens, which open into the plain of Jordan.
**In the going down**—*i.e., *until they escaped into these ravines.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 7
Chapter Outline
The Israelites smitten at Ai.(1-5)
Joshua's humiliation and prayer.(6-9)
God instructs Joshua what to do.(10-5)
Achan is detected, He is destroyed.(16-26)
**Verses 1-5**
Achan took some of the spoil of Jericho. The love of the world is that root of bitterness, which of all others is most hardly rooted up. We should take heed of sin ourselves, les...
Read full commentary →And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's response to defeat was to tear his clothes and fall on his face before the ark—profound grief and intercession. Tearing garments (<em>qara'</em>, קָרַע) expressed deep mourning in Israelite culture. Joshua models godly leadership: responding to crisis with prayer rather than panic, with humility rather than blame-shifting. He and the elders put dust on their heads, another mourning ritual...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Joshua rent his clothes . . .**—The words of Joshua and his behaviour on this occasion are consistent with all that we read of him, and confirm the notion that he was not a man of a naturally daring and adventurous spirit, but inclined to distrust his own powers; and yet utterly indomitable and unflinching in the discharge of his duty—a man of moral rather than physical courage.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**32. vine of Sodom ... grapes of gall--**This fruit, which the Arabs call "Lot's Sea Orange," is of a bright yellow color and grows in clusters of three or four. When mellow, it is tempting in appearance, but on being struck, explodes like a puffball, consisting of skin and fiber only.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
Joshua's concern for the honour of God, more than even for the fate of Israel, was the language of the Spirit of adoption. He pleaded with God. He laments their defeat, as he feared it would reflect on God's wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness. We cannot at any time urge a better plea than this, Lord, what wilt thou do for thy great name? Let God be glorified in all,...
Read full commentary →And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's prayer expresses deep distress but reveals incomplete understanding. 'Alas, O Lord GOD'—a cry of anguish. His question 'wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites?' borders on accusing God of malicious intent or poor planning. This echoes the wilderness generation's complaints (Numbers 14:3). Joshua, who stood faithful then, now...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
Joshua's concern for the honour of God, more than even for the fate of Israel, was the language of the Spirit of adoption. He pleaded with God. He laments their defeat, as he feared it would reflect on God's wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness. We cannot at any time urge a better plea than this, Lord, what wilt thou do for thy great name? Let God be glorified in all,...
Read full commentary →O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! backs: Heb. necks
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Joshua continues: 'O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies?' His concern focuses on Israel's reputation and, implicitly, God's reputation. The phrase 'turneth their backs' is military terminology for retreat or flight—deeply shameful in ancient warfare. Joshua grasps that Israel's identity as God's victorious people is at stake. If they flee from small cities...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
Joshua's concern for the honour of God, more than even for the fate of Israel, was the language of the Spirit of adoption. He pleaded with God. He laments their defeat, as he feared it would reflect on God's wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness. We cannot at any time urge a better plea than this, Lord, what wilt thou do for thy great name? Let God be glorified in all,...
Read full commentary →For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's prayer reaches its climax: concern for God's name and reputation. 'The Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it'—Israel's defeat will embolden enemies and spread throughout Canaan. The verb 'hear' (<em>shama'</em>, שָׁמַע) carries weight—hearing leads to action. When Canaanites hear of Israel's vulnerability, they'll unite against them. Joshua's fear 'shall environ ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **The Canaanites . . . shall environ us round.**—A thing extremely probable in itself, apart from the supernatural character of the invasion.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 6-9**
Joshua's concern for the honour of God, more than even for the fate of Israel, was the language of the Spirit of adoption. He pleaded with God. He laments their defeat, as he feared it would reflect on God's wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness. We cannot at any time urge a better plea than this, Lord, what wilt thou do for thy great name? Let God be glorified in all,...
Read full commentary →And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? liest: Heb. fallest
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God's response is abrupt and corrective: 'Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?' This isn't rebuke for praying but for misdirected prayer. The time for intercession has passed; time for action has come. God essentially says: 'Stop praying and deal with the sin!' The Hebrew קוּם (qum—arise, get up) is imperative—urgent command to act. Joshua's prolonged prostration, while expressing...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?**—“Why is this, that *thou *art fallen upon thy face? Israel hath sinned.” The pronoun “thou” is emphatic.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
God awakens Joshua to inquiry, by telling him that when this accursed thing was put away, all would be well. Times of danger and trouble should be times of reformation. We should look at home, into our own hearts, into our own houses, and make diligent search to find out if there be not some accursed thing there, which God sees and abhors; some secret lust, some unlawful gain,...
Read full commentary →Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God's indictment uses emphatic, repetitive language revealing sin's severity. The statement 'Israel hath sinned' (<em>chata Yisrael</em>, חָטָא יִשְׂרָאֵל) treats the entire nation as corporate unity—though Achan sinned individually, God holds Israel corporately accountable. The phrase 'transgressed my covenant' (<em>avru et-beriti</em>, עָבְרוּ אֶת־בְּרִיתִי) indicates covenant violation, not mer...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **They have also transgressed my covenant.**—The law is again brought prominently forward in this scene. “The words of the covenant, the ten commandments,” are first of all a pledge that Jehovah is the God of Israel. “I am Jehovah, thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt.” And He brought them out that He might bring them in—and He made them the executioners of His wrath against the...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
God awakens Joshua to inquiry, by telling him that when this accursed thing was put away, all would be well. Times of danger and trouble should be times of reformation. We should look at home, into our own hearts, into our own houses, and make diligent search to find out if there be not some accursed thing there, which God sees and abhors; some secret lust, some unlawful gain,...
Read full commentary →Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God explains why Israel cannot stand before enemies: 'they were accursed' because 'there is an accursed thing in the midst of thee.' The Hebrew חֵרֶם (cherem—devoted thing, ban) refers to items devoted to God for destruction, forbidden for personal use. Taking devoted things placed Israel under the same ban intended for Canaanites. This illustrates corporate responsibility—one person's sin affects...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
God awakens Joshua to inquiry, by telling him that when this accursed thing was put away, all would be well. Times of danger and trouble should be times of reformation. We should look at home, into our own hearts, into our own houses, and make diligent search to find out if there be not some accursed thing there, which God sees and abhors; some secret lust, some unlawful gain,...
Read full commentary →Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God's command demands corporate sanctification before confronting hidden sin. The verb 'sanctify' (<em>qadash</em>, קָדַשׁ) appears twice—Joshua must sanctify the people, and they must sanctify themselves. <em>Qadash</em> means to set apart, purify, or consecrate for holy purposes, involving ritual washing and moral preparation (compare Exodus 19:10-14). The phrase 'against tomorrow' (<em>lemachar...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
God awakens Joshua to inquiry, by telling him that when this accursed thing was put away, all would be well. Times of danger and trouble should be times of reformation. We should look at home, into our own hearts, into our own houses, and make diligent search to find out if there be not some accursed thing there, which God sees and abhors; some secret lust, some unlawful gain,...
Read full commentary →In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD taketh shall come according to the families thereof; and the family which the LORD shall take shall come by households; and the household which the LORD shall take shall come man by man.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
God prescribes the process for identifying the guilty party: 'ye shall be brought according to your tribes...families...households...man by man.' This methodical narrowing from tribe to individual demonstrates God's precision—nothing is hidden from Him (Hebrews 4:13). The phrase 'he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire' specifies the penalty—capital punishment by fire, th...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(14-18) In the morning therefore ye shall be brought.—That is, *brought near, *or *presented. *The word used here, and throughout the passage, is the same that is commonly used for the presentation of an offering.
(14) **The tribe which the Lord taketh.**—There is nothing in the language of the passage, when closely considered, which would lead us to suppose that the discovery of the criminal was ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
God awakens Joshua to inquiry, by telling him that when this accursed thing was put away, all would be well. Times of danger and trouble should be times of reformation. We should look at home, into our own hearts, into our own houses, and make diligent search to find out if there be not some accursed thing there, which God sees and abhors; some secret lust, some unlawful gain,...
Read full commentary →And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel. folly: or, wickedness
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Achan is identified through the lot process, demonstrating that nothing is hidden from God. Joshua's address—'My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him'—combines pastoral compassion ('my son') with covenantal urgency. The phrase 'give glory to God' means to acknowledge God's righteousness by confessing sin. Confession glorifies God by admitting He is ...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 10-15**
God awakens Joshua to inquiry, by telling him that when this accursed thing was put away, all would be well. Times of danger and trouble should be times of reformation. We should look at home, into our own hearts, into our own houses, and make diligent search to find out if there be not some accursed thing there, which God sees and abhors; some secret lust, some unlawful gain,...
Read full commentary →So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Joshua rose early in the morning—demonstrating leadership diligence and spiritual priority. Early rising for important spiritual matters appears throughout Scripture as a mark of godly leaders (Abraham, Moses, Samuel). He brought Israel by tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken. The methodical process begins—tribe by tribe, each standing before the Lord as the lot identifies Judah. That Judah, t...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:
View commentary (2 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The process narrows: from Judah's tribe to the Zarhites' family, then to Zabdi's household. Each stage increases tension and specificity. The mention of specific names (Zabdi, Carmi) gives historical particularity—this isn't allegory but real people facing real judgment. The progression from broader (tribe) to narrower (household) demonstrates exhaustive thoroughness—God leaves no ambiguity. Every...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Finally: 'Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.' The full genealogy emphasizes individual responsibility within communal identity. Achan is simultaneously an individual and a member of multiple corporate structures—tribe, clan, family. His full identification shows that no one is anonymous before God—He knows not just our names but our linea...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**44-47. Moses ... spake all the words of this song in the ears, &c.--**It has been beautifully styled "the Song of the Dying Swan" [Lowth]. It was designed to be a national anthem, which it should be the duty and care of magistrates to make well known by frequent repetition, to animate the people to right sentiments towards a steadfast adherence to His service.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's address to Achan combines pastoral tenderness ('My son') with moral urgency, creating a model for confronting sin with both grace and truth. The phrase 'give glory to the LORD God of Israel' (<em>ten-kavod laYahweh Elohei Yisrael</em>, תֵּן־כָּבוֹד לַיהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל) uses an idiom meaning to acknowledge God's justice by confessing sin truthfully. This same formula appears in John...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(19) **Give . . . glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me.**—We can hardly read these words of Joshua without being reminded of his great Antitype. In *New *Testament language, to tell Joshua is to “tell Jesus “—the only way in which confession of sin can bring glory. Joshua could only pronounce sentence of death on Achan. But “if we confess our sins, He is faith...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**44-47. Moses ... spake all the words of this song in the ears, &c.--**It has been beautifully styled "the Song of the Dying Swan" [Lowth]. It was designed to be a national anthem, which it should be the duty and care of magistrates to make well known by frequent repetition, to animate the people to right sentiments towards a steadfast adherence to His service.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Achan's confession begins: 'Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel.' The Hebrew אָמְנָם (omnnam—indeed, truly) expresses acknowledgment without excuse. Achan admits the sin, identifies it correctly as against God (not merely against Israel or Joshua), and uses the covenant name 'LORD God of Israel.' His confession is theologically accurate—all sin is ultimately against God (Psalm 51:4...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**44-47. Moses ... spake all the words of this song in the ears, &c.--**It has been beautifully styled "the Song of the Dying Swan" [Lowth]. It was designed to be a national anthem, which it should be the duty and care of magistrates to make well known by frequent repetition, to animate the people to right sentiments towards a steadfast adherence to His service.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. wedge: Heb. tongue
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Achan details his sin step by step: 'When I saw...I coveted...and took them.' This progression—see, covet, take—maps the psychology of temptation. Seeing isn't sin, but lingering gaze leads to covetous desire (<em>chamad</em>, חָמַד—to desire, take pleasure in), which produces action (taking). This mirrors Eve's temptation: 'the woman saw...good...pleasant...desired...took' (Genesis 3:6). The patt...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(21) **A goodly Babylonish garment.**—Literally, *A certain goodly mantle of Shinar.*
**I coveted them.**—The very word employed, not only in the tenth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:21), but also in Deuteronomy 7:25, the passage which forbids Israel to desire the spoils of idolatry. This coincidence of terms makes it somewhat probable that the whole were found in some idol’s temple, and were part of ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**44-47. Moses ... spake all the words of this song in the ears, &c.--**It has been beautifully styled "the Song of the Dying Swan" [Lowth]. It was designed to be a national anthem, which it should be the duty and care of magistrates to make well known by frequent repetition, to animate the people to right sentiments towards a steadfast adherence to His service.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Joshua immediately sends messengers who run to the tent—urgency in verifying Achan's confession. The verb 'run' (<em>ruts</em>, רוּץ) indicates haste, appropriate given the gravity. They find the items 'hid in his tent, and the silver under it'—exactly as Achan described. This public verification serves multiple purposes: confirms the confession, validates God's judgment process, and demonstrates ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**48-51. Get thee up ... and die ... Because ye trespassed ... at Meribah--**(See on Nu 20:13).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD. laid: Heb. poured
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
The messengers took the items from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all Israel, laying them before the LORD. The recovery process involves community—messengers retrieve, leaders receive, all Israel witnesses, items are presented before God. The phrase 'laid them out before the LORD' indicates presenting the evidence in God's presence, likely before the ark. This action acknowledges that the...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(23) **And laid them out before the Lord.**—The silver and the gold, by His order, should have been brought into His treasury (Joshua 6:19). The spoils of Canaan *might *have been consecrated as holiness to Jehovah. But in this instance the spoil of Jericho had become the sin of Israel, and it must therefore be no longer preserved, but consumed.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**48-51. Get thee up ... and die ... Because ye trespassed ... at Meribah--**(See on Nu 20:13).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →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.
View commentary (4 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Joshua and all Israel take Achan, the stolen items, his family, livestock, tent, and possessions to the Valley of Achor. The comprehensive list—'his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had'—emphasizes totality. Everything connected to Achan comes under judgment. This raises difficult questions about corporate guilt and family punishmen...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(24) **And his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had.**—All were evidently destroyed together (comp. Joshua 22:20). For any other sin but this, Achan must have suffered alone. “The children shall not be put to death for the fathers.” But in this case, warning had been given that the man who took of the accursed thing, or *ch*ê*rern, ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**48-51. Get thee up ... and die ... Because ye trespassed ... at Meribah--**(See on Nu 20:13).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
Joshua's pronouncement: 'Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day.' The Hebrew עָכַר (akar—to trouble, stir up, bring disaster) plays on the valley's name (Achor). Achan's sin 'troubled' Israel by breaking covenant and causing defeat; now God troubles Achan through judgment. The wordplay emphasizes measure-for-measure justice. The execution method combines stoning by the com...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**48-51. Get thee up ... and die ... Because ye trespassed ... at Meribah--**(See on Nu 20:13).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day. Achor: that is, Trouble
View commentary (3 sources)
KJV Study Commentary
After judgment, 'the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger.' God's wrath, righteous and holy, is not capricious but responsive to sin's presence or removal. Once sin was purged, anger ceased. This illustrates God's justice: anger directed at sin, not sadistic pleasure in punishment. The valley's naming—'The Valley of Achor, unto this day'—creates permanent reminder. The phrase 'unto this da...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
**52. thou shalt see the land, but thou shalt not go thither--**(Nu 27:12). Notwithstanding so severe a disappointment, not a murmur of complaint escapes his lips. He is not only resigned but acquiescing; and in the near prospect of his death, he pours forth the feelings of his devout heart in sublime strains and eloquent blessings.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 16-26**
See the folly of those that promise themselves secrecy in sin. The righteous God has many ways of bringing to light the hidden works of darkness. See also, how much it is our concern, when God is contending with us, to find out the cause that troubles us. We must pray with holy Job, Lord, show me wherefore thou contendest with me. Achan's sin began in the eye. He saw these fin...
Read full commentary →