King James Version

What Does Joshua 7:7 Mean?

Joshua 7:7 in the King James Version says “And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the ha...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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!”

Joshua 7:7 · King James Version

Context

5

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

6

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.

7

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!

8

O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies! backs: Heb. necks

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?

Read Joshua 7 full chapter

Commentaries2 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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 voices similar doubts under pressure. This shows even mature believers can stumble in faith during crisis. His suggestion that they would have been 'content' dwelling beyond Jordan reveals momentary regret about obeying God's clear command to enter Canaan. This is the language of doubt: 'would to God we had been content.' Yet God had explicitly commanded them to cross Jordan and conquer Canaan. Joshua's crisis of faith illustrates that defeat can tempt even faithful leaders to question God's wisdom and goodness. The prayer lacks confession—no acknowledgment of possible sin on Israel's part. This misdirected prayer seeks an answer from God while the real problem lies in Israel's camp.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Joshua's reference to dwelling beyond Jordan reflects the recent successful conquest of the Transjordan territory (Numbers 21, 32). Two and a half tribes had requested to settle there, and Moses granted permission. Joshua might be thinking Israel could have stopped there—avoiding current difficulty. But God's promise specifically concerned the land west of Jordan (Genesis 15:18-21, Deuteronomy 11:31). To stop at Jordan would have meant partial obedience, forfeiting the fullness of God's promise. Joshua's language 'deliver us into the hand of the Amorites' uses 'Amorites' generically for all Canaanites, a common biblical practice. The phrase 'to destroy us' seems hyperbolic—one defeat doesn't equal annihilation. Yet Joshua recognizes the strategic danger: if Israel cannot defeat even small cities, the entire conquest is imperiled. His concern is legitimate even if his diagnosis is flawed. This prayer shows how crisis can distort perspective, making us question God's fundamental goodness and wisdom.

Reflection Questions

  1. When have you questioned God's wisdom or goodness during difficult circumstances?
  2. What is the difference between honest lament (expressing pain to God) and accusing God of malicious intent?
  3. How can crisis tempt us to regret past obedience or wish we'd chosen easier paths?

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

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר1 of 23

“said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ2 of 23

“And Joshua”

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

אֲהָ֣הּ׀3 of 23

“Alas O”

H162

oh!

אֲדֹנָ֣י4 of 23

“Lord”

H136

the lord (used as a proper name of god only)

יְהוִ֗ה5 of 23

“GOD”

H3069

god

לָ֠מָה6 of 23
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

הַֽעֲבִ֜יר7 of 23

“brought”

H5674

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

הַֽעֲבִ֜יר8 of 23

“brought”

H5674

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

אֶת9 of 23
H853

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

הָעָ֤ם10 of 23

“this people”

H5971

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

הַזֶּה֙11 of 23
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֶת12 of 23
H853

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

הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃13 of 23

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

לָתֵ֥ת14 of 23

“to deliver”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֹתָ֛נוּ15 of 23
H853

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

בְּיַ֥ד16 of 23

“us into the hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הָֽאֱמֹרִ֖י17 of 23

“of the Amorites”

H567

an emorite, one of the canaanitish tribes

לְהַֽאֲבִידֵ֑נוּ18 of 23

“to destroy”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

וְלוּ֙19 of 23

“us would to God”

H3863

a conditional particle; if; by implication (interj. as a wish) would that!

הוֹאַ֣לְנוּ20 of 23

“we had been content”

H2974

properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition

וַנֵּ֔שֶׁב21 of 23

“and dwelt”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּעֵ֖בֶר22 of 23

“on the other side”

H5676

properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the jordan; ususally meaning

הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃23 of 23

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

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 7:7 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 7:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 12:52 Kings 3:10Jeremiah 12:1-2Exodus 16:3Exodus 14:11-12Numbers 14:3

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Joshua 7 →

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