King James Version

What Does Joshua 7:11 Mean?

Joshua 7:11 in the King James Version says “Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 7:11 · KJV

Context

9

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?

10

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? liest: Heb. fallest

11

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.

12

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.

13

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.

Read Joshua 7 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God's indictment uses emphatic, repetitive language revealing sin's severity. The statement 'Israel hath sinned' (chata Yisrael, חָטָא יִשְׂרָאֵל) treats the entire nation as corporate unity—though Achan sinned individually, God holds Israel corporately accountable. The phrase 'transgressed my covenant' (avru et-beriti, עָבְרוּ אֶת־בְּרִיתִי) indicates covenant violation, not merely moral failure. The listing of specific sins creates mounting emphasis: 'taken of the accursed thing' (sacrilege), 'stolen' (theft), 'dissembled' (kicheshu, כִּחֲשׁוּ—lied or deceived), and 'put it among their own stuff' (integration of stolen goods with possessions). Each verb intensifies guilt. The phrase 'they have even' (vegam, וְגַם) appears repeatedly, emphasizing compounding transgressions. This demonstrates that hidden sin never remains isolated but spawns additional sins: covetousness leads to theft, theft to lying, lying to hiding. From a Reformed perspective, this reveals sin's progressive nature and deceptive power—one compromise opens doors to multiple transgressions. The corporate language warns that tolerating sin within the covenant community brings corporate judgment, requiring church discipline to maintain holiness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

God's revelation of Achan's sin came through direct divine communication to Joshua after Israel's defeat at Ai. The defeat shocked Israel—expecting easy victory after Jericho, they instead suffered humiliating retreat with 36 casualties. Joshua's anguished prayer (7:6-9) questioned whether God had abandoned them, revealing how quickly confidence can turn to despair when divine blessing withdraws. God's response reveals that defeat wasn't divine abandonment but judgment for covenant violation. The specific accusation 'transgressed my covenant' refers to the cherem command regarding Jericho's spoils (6:17-19). Ancient Near Eastern covenant relationships involved stipulations, blessings for obedience, and curses for violation. Israel experienced covenant curse—military defeat and divine disfavor—until they purged the sin. The compounding nature of Achan's sin (coveting, stealing, lying, hiding) illustrates sin's progressive enslavement. What begins as temptation becomes action, then concealment, each step further entangling the sinner. This pattern appears throughout Scripture: David's adultery led to murder, then coverup (2 Samuel 11-12); Ananias and Sapphira's greed led to lying to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:1-11).

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'small' sins in your life are spawning additional transgressions through lies, concealment, and self-justification?
  2. How does God holding all Israel accountable for one man's sin inform church discipline and corporate responsibility for tolerating sin?
  3. What would it look like for your church to take corporate sin as seriously as God took Achan's trespass?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
חָטָא֙1 of 20

“hath sinned”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל2 of 20

“Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְגַם֙3 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

עָֽבְר֣וּ4 of 20

“and they have also transgressed”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

אֶת5 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּרִיתִ֔י6 of 20

“my covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר7 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

צִוִּ֖יתִי8 of 20

“which I commanded”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אוֹתָ֑ם9 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וְגַ֤ם10 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

לָֽקְחוּ֙11 of 20

“them for they have even taken”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

מִן12 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַחֵ֔רֶם13 of 20

“of the accursed thing”

H2764

physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination

וְגַ֤ם14 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

גָּֽנְבוּ֙15 of 20

“and have also stolen”

H1589

to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive

וְגַ֣ם16 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

כִּֽחֲשׁ֔וּ17 of 20

“and dissembled”

H3584

to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe)

וְגַ֖ם18 of 20
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

שָׂ֥מוּ19 of 20

“also and they have put”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בִכְלֵיהֶֽם׃20 of 20

“it even among their own stuff”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 7:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 7:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 5:1-2Joshua 6:17-19Hebrews 4:13Acts 5:9Joshua 7:20-212 Kings 5:25-26

Test Your Knowledge

Joshua 7 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJoshua Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Joshua 7 with CommentaryAll Joshua ChaptersComplete Joshua QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes