King James Version

What Does Joshua 7:13 Mean?

Joshua 7:13 in the King James Version says “Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Joshua 7:13 · King James Version

Context

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.

14

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.

15

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

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Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
God's command demands corporate sanctification before confronting hidden sin. The verb 'sanctify' (qadash, קָדַשׁ) appears twice—Joshua must sanctify the people, and they must sanctify themselves. Qadash 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' (lemachar, לְמָחָר) creates urgency—immediate preparation for divine encounter. God's declaration 'There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee' (cherem beqirbcha, חֵרֶם בְּקִרְבְּךָ) reveals that the holy community harbors what must be destroyed. The covenant people cannot coexist with cherem—devoted things must be removed or the entire community becomes devoted to destruction. The statement 'thou canst not stand before thine enemies' (lo tukhal laqum, לֹא תוּכַל לָקוּם) explains the practical consequence: sin neutralizes divine power and guarantees defeat. The condition 'until ye take away' (ad hasirkhem, עַד הֲסִרְכֶם) shows judgment's purpose isn't vindictive but redemptive—remove sin and blessing returns. This establishes that God's holiness and power require His people's holiness; unconfessed sin disrupts covenant relationship and divine presence.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The sanctification process involved ceremonial washing, abstaining from sexual relations, and spiritual preparation to encounter God's holiness (compare Exodus 19:10-15). Israel had to purify themselves before God would reveal and judge the guilty party. This demonstrates that approaching God—even in judgment contexts—requires reverent preparation. The next day, God revealed Achan through lot-casting that narrowed from tribe (Judah) to clan (Zerahites) to family (Zabdi's house) to individual (Achan), giving multiple opportunities for confession (Joshua 7:14-18). Ancient Israelite religious life centered on maintaining ritual and moral purity, understanding that God's presence among them required holiness. The tabernacle's presence meant Israel lived in constant proximity to divine holiness, making sin's contamination immediately consequential. The phrase 'thou canst not stand before thine enemies' reversed Joshua 1:5's promise that no enemy could stand before Israel. Sin's presence voided covenant promises, turning divine protection into judgment. This principle recurs throughout Israel's history: obedience brings victory (Judges 1-2), disobedience brings defeat (Judges 2:11-15; 1 Samuel 4).

Reflection Questions

  1. What areas of your life need sanctification before God can work powerfully through you?
  2. How does sin in your life or church neutralize God's power and blessing?
  3. What 'accursed things' must be removed from your midst before experiencing spiritual victory?

Compare 2 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
לָקוּם֙1 of 25

“Up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

הִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ2 of 25

“Sanctify”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

אֶת3 of 25
H853

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

הָעָ֔ם4 of 25

“the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

אָמַ֨ר5 of 25

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

הִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ6 of 25

“Sanctify”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

לְמָחָ֑ר7 of 25

“yourselves against to morrow”

H4279

properly, deferred, i.e., the morrow; usually (adverbially) tomorrow; indefinitely, hereafter

כִּ֣י8 of 25
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

כֹה֩9 of 25
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֨ר10 of 25

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה11 of 25

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֣י12 of 25

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל13 of 25

“of Israel”

H3478

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

הַחֵ֖רֶם14 of 25

“There is an accursed thing”

H2764

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

מִֽקִּרְבְּכֶֽם׃15 of 25

“from among”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל16 of 25

“of Israel”

H3478

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

לֹ֣א17 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תוּכַ֗ל18 of 25

“thou canst”

H3201

to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)

לָקוּם֙19 of 25

“Up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

לִפְנֵ֣י20 of 25

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֹֽיְבֶ֔יךָ21 of 25

“thine enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

עַד22 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הֲסִֽירְכֶ֥ם23 of 25

“until ye take away”

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

הַחֵ֖רֶם24 of 25

“There is an accursed thing”

H2764

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

מִֽקִּרְבְּכֶֽם׃25 of 25

“from among”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

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 7:13 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 7:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 3:40-41Joshua 3:51 Corinthians 5:11-13Matthew 7:5Joshua 6:18Joshua 7:11

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