World English Bible
- But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the devoted things; for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. Therefore the LORD’s anger burned against the children of Israel.
- Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the land.” The men went up and spied out Ai.
- They returned to Joshua, and said to him, “Don’t let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and strike Ai. Don’t make all the people to toil there, for there are only a few of them.”
- So about three thousand men of the people went up there, and they fled before the men of Ai.
- The men of Ai struck about thirty-six men of them. They chased them from before the gate even to Shebarim, and struck them at the descent. The hearts of the people melted, and became like water.
- Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the LORD’s ark until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.
- Joshua said, “Alas, Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? I wish that we had been content and lived beyond the Jordan!
- Oh, Lord, what shall I say, after Israel has turned their backs before their enemies?
- For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and will surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. What will you do for your great name?”
- The LORD said to Joshua, “Get up! Why have you fallen on your face like that?
- Israel has sinned. Yes, they have even transgressed my covenant which I commanded them. Yes, they have even taken some of the devoted things, and have also stolen, and also deceived. They have even put it among their own stuff.
- Therefore the children of Israel can’t stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will not be with you any more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.
- Get up! Sanctify the people, and say, ’Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, for the LORD, the God of Israel, says, “There is a devoted thing among you, Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted thing from among you.”
- In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. It shall be that the tribe which the LORD selects shall come near by families. The family which the LORD selects shall come near by households. The household which the LORD selects shall come near man by man.
- It shall be, that he who is taken with the devoted thing shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the LORD’s covenant, and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.’”
- So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel near by their tribes. The tribe of Judah was selected.
- He brought near the family of Judah, and he selected the family of the Zerahites. He brought near the family of the Zerahites man by man, and Zabdi was selected.
- He brought near 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 selected.
- Joshua said to Achan, “My son, please give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make confession to him. Tell me now what you have done! Don’t hide it from me!”
- Achan answered Joshua, and said, “I have truly sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done.
- When I saw among the plunder a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, with the silver under it.”
- So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent. Behold, it was hidden in his tent, with the silver under it.
- They took them from the middle of the tent, and brought them to Joshua and to all the children of Israel. They laid them down before the LORD.
- Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his cattle, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor.
- Joshua said, “Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you today.” All Israel stoned him with stones, and they burned them with fire and stoned them with stones.
- They raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. The LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Therefore the name of that place was called “The valley of Achor” to this day.
The victory at Jericho rang triumphantly in the ears of Israel, yet the joy soon crumbled when defeat struck unexpectedly at Ai. How swiftly the tide can turn when sin remains hidden among God’s people! Joshua 7 invites us deeply into the sobering reality that personal, concealed sin does not only affect the individual but also the community around them.
Achan took devoted things—items banned from personal use because they belonged wholly to God. His actions were not simply a breach of military etiquette or error of judgment—they constituted direct rebellion against the clear command of God (Joshua 6:18-19, New International Version). In historical context, this idea of a national or communal responsibility is quite foreign to modern Western thinking, where individualism reigns supreme. Yet, ancient Israelites deeply understood themselves as part of a covenant community. One individual’s unfaithfulness brought trouble (“’akar”) upon the entire nation; indeed, the Valley of Achor (meaning “trouble”) was named after this event (Joshua 7:24-26).
The Hebrew word translated as “devoted things” or “accursed things” here is “herem” (חֵרֶם), indicating items set apart exclusively for God, either destroyed utterly or placed directly in God’s service. To ignore God’s command regarding these things was to boldly defy His sovereign right over all creation.
Ai (pronounced “eye”), strategically located above Jericho, guarded access to the central hill-country. Archaeological evidence suggests that Ai was a small yet essential stronghold, whose conquest was crucial in securing the land promised to Israel. Joshua expected an easy victory there, sending merely a fraction of Israel’s fighting force (Joshua 7:3-4). Yet defeat came swiftly. The ease of their previous victory had perhaps lulled them into self-reliance, neglecting reliance on God’s counsel.
One of the key theological themes emerging here is the outcome of attempting success apart from humble devotion to God and obedience to His commands. Augustine of Hippo observed centuries later, “It is pride that turned angels into demons; it is humility that makes men as angels.” Israel’s defeat at Ai was not simply about military strategy; rather, it was a divine rebuke designed to renew humility and faithfulness among God’s people.
Notice carefully Joshua’s immediate response upon defeat: relentless intercession and prayer (Joshua 7:6-9). He falls before God, humble yet bewildered. Though Joshua did not personally sin, he willingly facilitated repentance for the entire nation. Biblical repentance often possesses both individual and collective dimensions:
“This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.’” (Joshua 7:13, New International Version)
Thus, individual holiness and community holiness are inextricably connected. Paul echoes this sentiment many centuries later: “A little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough” (1 Corinthians 5:6, New International Version). Even a small hidden compromise can corrupt spiritual life, diminish effectiveness, and bring consequences upon the believing community.
Once identified and confronted, Achan’s confession emerges straightforwardly (Joshua 7:20-21). Some modern readers are troubled by the severity of Achan’s punishment (the execution of him and his household, vv. 24-26). Historically, this drastic retribution reflects an ancient Near Eastern context where family solidarity and communal responsibility were understood differently from contemporary perspectives. Sin was a poison that threatened not only the individual but the entire people of God. Through this harsh judgment, God’s holiness and purity were powerfully underscored for all generations.
Yet, we do not falter here as Christians, for the biblical narrative does not end in the despair of judgment—but looks forward through redemptive history to one who would bear judgment for all nations. The prophet Hosea reflected poetically upon the Valley of Achor, transforming an image of judgment into a hopeful promise: “I will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope” (Hosea 2:15, New International Version). Thus, even the grim scene contains a glimmer of grace. The place of sorrow soon becomes a path toward restoration and new beginnings for God’s faithful.
Today, let us courageously face hidden and unconfessed sins, bringing them before Christ who offers His grace freely and abundantly. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, New International Version). True freedom awaits when we release our grip on secret wrongdoing and depend wholly upon God’s mercy.
Consider also the health of your spiritual community—family, church, small group—and pray earnestly for God’s blessing, protection, and holiness there. Remember, hidden sin is not merely personal—it resonates beyond yourself, affecting those around you.
Heavenly Father,
You see all things; nothing can hide before Your sight. Gently search our hearts today and uncover anything hidden or holding us captive. Forgive us, renew us, and restore blessing in our lives and our communities. Help us humbly to walk in Your holiness and grace, reflecting Christ’s redeeming love.
In Jesus’ name we pray,
Amen.