King James Version

What Does Joshua 7:26 Mean?

Joshua 7:26 in the King James Version says “And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wher... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Joshua 7:26 · KJV


Context

24

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.

25

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.

26

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


Commentary

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 day' (repeated throughout Joshua) indicates eyewitness testimony and lasting impact. Future generations would pass Valley of Achor and remember covenant faithfulness's importance. This memorial served both warning (sin brings judgment) and assurance (purged sin restores fellowship). Prophets later reinterpret Achor: Hosea 2:15 promises God will make Valley of Achor 'a door of hope.' What marked judgment becomes entry point to restoration. This foreshadows gospel: Christ bore judgment on the cross so believers enter hope through the place of divine wrath.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The cessation of God's anger immediately upon sin's purging shows the direct relationship between covenant violation and divine blessing. Israel could now proceed with conquest, having restored fellowship with God. The naming of geographic locations after significant events was common in ancient Israel—Bethel (house of God), Peniel (face of God), etc. These served as mnemonic devices, embedding theology into geography. Every time Israelites mentioned or passed Achor Valley, they remembered this lesson. The phrase 'unto this day' appears frequently in Joshua, suggesting composition within living memory of the conquest or based on reliable eyewitness traditions. The theological principle remains constant: unconfessed sin separates from God; confessed and purged sin restores fellowship. The sudden shift from fierce anger to restored relationship demonstrates God's mercy—judgment is His 'strange work' (Isaiah 28:21), necessary but not His delight.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does God's anger ceasing immediately after judgment teach about His character?
  2. How can places or experiences of judgment become 'doors of hope' through God's redemption?
  3. What memorials or reminders help you remember God's faithfulness and sin's consequences?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיָּקִ֨ימוּ1 of 23

And they raised

H6965

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

עָלָ֜יו2 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

גַּל3 of 23

heap

H1530

something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)

אֲבָנִ֣ים4 of 23

of stones

H68

a stone

גָּד֗וֹל5 of 23

over him a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

עַ֚ד6 of 23
H5704

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

הַיּ֥וֹם7 of 23

unto this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֔ה8 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַיָּ֥שָׁב9 of 23

turned

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

יְהוָ֖ה10 of 23

So the LORD

H3068

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

מֵֽחֲר֣וֹן11 of 23

from the fierceness

H2740

a burning of anger

אַפּ֑וֹ12 of 23

of his anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

עַל13 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֠ן14 of 23
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

קָרָ֞א15 of 23

was called

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

שֵׁ֣ם16 of 23

Wherefore the name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

הַמָּק֤וֹם17 of 23

of that place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

הַהוּא֙18 of 23
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

עֵ֣מֶק19 of 23

The valley

H6010

a vale (i.e., broad depression)

עָכ֔וֹר20 of 23

of Achor

H5911

akor, the name of a place in palestine

עַ֖ד21 of 23
H5704

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

הַיּ֥וֹם22 of 23

unto this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃23 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 7:26 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 7:26 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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