Joshua 7 summary meaning ai explained commentary

Joshua 7 meaning explained in AI Summary

The Conquest of Ai: After the curse on Achan is removed, the Israelites are free to attack Ai. Joshua follows God's plan, and the Israelites defeat the people of Ai. The conquest of Ai is another miraculous event that demonstrates God's power and faithfulness. It is a sign that God is with the Israelites and that he will lead them to victory in the Promised Land.

Chapter 7 of Joshua recounts the story of Achan's sin and its devastating consequences for Israel.

The Sin:

After the great victory at Jericho, God commands the Israelites to conquer Ai, a seemingly weaker city.
The Israelites are unexpectedly defeated, suffering casualties and fleeing in fear.
Joshua is devastated and pleads with God for an explanation.
God reveals that someone has disobeyed His command to completely destroy everything in Jericho. Someone has taken forbidden items and hidden them, bringing sin and God's wrath upon the entire nation.

The Culprit:

Through a process of elimination using sacred lots, Achan from the tribe of Judah is identified as the guilty party.
Achan confesses to taking gold, silver, and a valuable Babylonian garment, hiding them in his tent.
He admits his greed and disobedience.

The Consequences:

Achan, along with his family and possessions, are stoned to death and burned as a consequence of his sin.
This act demonstrates the severity of disobedience to God and the communal responsibility for sin in Israelite society.

Restoration:

After Achan's sin is purged, God promises to be with Israel again.
The chapter ends with a sense of renewed hope and the promise of future victories if they remain obedient to God's commands.

Key Themes:

The Holiness of God: God cannot tolerate sin and disobedience.
The Consequences of Sin: Sin has far-reaching consequences, impacting not only the individual but the entire community.
Repentance and Forgiveness: Even after sin, there is a path to restoration through confession, repentance, and obedience.

Chapter 7 serves as a stark reminder of the importance of obedience to God and the devastating effects of sin. It also highlights the hope of forgiveness and restoration when we turn back to God.

Joshua 7 bible study ai commentary

Joshua chapter 7 illustrates the profound principle of corporate solidarity and the devastating consequences of sin within the covenant community. A single act of disobedience by one individual, Achan, pollutes the entire nation of Israel, leading to a humiliating military defeat and a disruption of their relationship with God. The narrative serves as a stark warning about the seriousness of God's holiness, the danger of hidden sin, and the necessity of communal purity for experiencing divine blessing and victory. Only through judgment and the purging of sin can fellowship with God be restored and His purposes advanced.

Joshua 7 Context

The historical setting is immediately after the miraculous, divinely orchestrated fall of Jericho. The Israelites are in the early stages of conquering Canaan. A key cultural and theological concept is herem (devoted things). In these "holy wars," certain spoils were designated as belonging exclusively to God. To take them for personal use was not merely theft from the community, but sacrilege—a direct theft from God Himself. The ancient Israelite worldview also emphasized corporate identity, where the family, clan, and nation were seen as an interconnected unit. The actions, and consequently the guilt or blessing, of one member could be imputed to the whole group.

Joshua 7:1

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.

In-depth-analysis

"Broke faith": The Hebrew word ma'al implies treachery or sacrilege, a violation of a sacred trust with God. It signifies a betrayal of the covenant.
Corporate Guilt: Although only one man, Achan, sinned, the verse explicitly states "the people of Israel broke faith." This establishes the central theme of corporate responsibility. The sin of one defiled the entire community.
God's Anger: God’s anger is kindled not just against Achan but "against the people of Israel." The fellowship between God and the nation was fractured, preventing further victory until the sin was addressed.
Genealogy: Achan's lineage is detailed, emphasizing that he was a true Israelite from the noble tribe of Judah, not an outsider. This highlights that sin can arise from within the most privileged parts of the covenant community.

Bible references

Acts 5:1-2: "But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife's knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds... " (A New Testament parallel of sin against God regarding possessions, leading to community-wide fear and judgment).
1 Corinthians 5:6: "Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?" (Illustrates how unaddressed sin in one member can corrupt the entire church community).

Cross references

Lev 5:15 (unintentional ma'al sin), Num 32:23 (be sure your sin will find you out), 2 Sam 24:1 (God's anger kindled against Israel), Dan 9:7-11 (confession of corporate sin).

Joshua 7:2-5

Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai... and said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." ...And they returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not have all the people go up... for they are few." So about three thousand men from the people went up there, and they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them... And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

In-depth-analysis

Human Strategy, not Divine Guidance: Unlike the attack on Jericho, there is no record of Joshua seeking God's battle plan. The decision is based on a human military assessment ("they are few"), showing overconfidence and a subtle shift from dependence on God to self-reliance.
Humiliating Defeat: The loss of 36 men was a minor military setback but a catastrophic spiritual one. It shattered their morale and momentum.
Melted Hearts: The phrase "the hearts of the people melted" was previously used to describe the Canaanites' fear of Israel (Josh 2:11, 5:1). Now, because of sin, Israel experiences the same terror as its enemies. The covenant blessing of courage has been withdrawn.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 1:41-44: "...you were presumptuous and went up into the hill country. Then the Amorites who lived in that hill country came out against you and chased you as bees do and beat you down..." (A prior example of Israel's defeat due to presumptuous, unsanctioned warfare).
Leviticus 26:17: "I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before your enemies; those who hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you." (A direct consequence of covenant disobedience prophesied by Moses).

Cross references

Num 14:40-45 (failed attack after disobedience), Deu 20:8 (release fearful from army), Jdg 2:14-15 (God against Israel).

Joshua 7:6-9

Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, "Alas, O Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? ...what will you do for your great name?"

In-depth-analysis

Ritual Mourning: Tearing clothes, falling on one's face, and dust on the head are all conventional expressions of extreme grief, despair, or repentance in the ancient world.
Joshua's Prayer: His prayer contains elements of both faith and despair.
- Despair: He questions God's motives ("Why have you brought us here... to destroy us?"). This echoes the Israelites' grumbling in the wilderness.
- Faith: His ultimate concern is for God's reputation ("what will you do for your great name?"). He understands that Israel's fate is tied to the honor of God's name among the nations. This concern mirrors Moses' intercessions.

Bible references

Exodus 32:11-12: "But Moses implored the LORD... 'Why should the Egyptians say, "With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains"?'... Turn from your fierce wrath... " (Moses intercedes for Israel, focusing on God's reputation).
Numbers 14:13-16: "But Moses said to the LORD, 'Then the Egyptians will hear of it... and they will tell the inhabitants of this land... Because the LORD was not able to bring this people into the land that he swore to give to them, therefore he has killed them in the wilderness.'" (Another example of appealing to God's great name).

Cross references

Gen 37:29 (tearing clothes for grief), 1 Sam 4:12 (dust on head for bad news), Ps 44:23-26 (a communal lament).

Joshua 7:10-12

The LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies..."

In-depth-analysis

"Get up!": God's response is abrupt. Prayer is inappropriate when action is required. God redirects Joshua from mourning the symptom (defeat) to dealing with the cause (sin).
Sin is the Cause: God clarifies the problem in escalating terms:
1. Transgressed my covenant: A foundational breach of their relationship with God.
2. Taken some of the devoted things: Sacrilege against what is holy to God (herem).
3. Stolen: A crime against God.
4. Lied: Deception and concealment.
5. Put them among their own belongings: Integrated the stolen, holy items into their personal life.
The Consequence: Because Israel has become herem (devoted to destruction) by taking what was herem, God's presence cannot support them in battle. They are spiritually contaminated.

Bible references

Isaiah 59:2: "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear." (The classic statement of how sin severs fellowship with God).
Deuteronomy 29:24-25: "...all the nations will say, 'Why has the LORD done thus to this land?'... And people will say, 'It is because they abandoned the covenant of the LORD...'" (Prophetic explanation for future judgment).

Cross references

1 Sam 15:22 (obedience over sacrifice), Hag 2:13-14 (the unclean defiles the holy), Jdg 2:20-21 (covenant breaking leads to defeat).

Joshua 7:13-15

"Get up! Consecrate the people and say, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, "There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you."'... And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and has done an outrageous thing in Israel."

In-depth-analysis

Consecrate: The command to "consecrate" involves ritual preparation to stand before a holy God. It signifies a move towards repentance and purification.
Method of Detection: The casting of lots (likely using the Urim and Thummim by the priest) was a divinely-sanctioned method of discerning God's will or revealing hidden information. The slow, methodical process (tribe -> clan -> household -> man) would build immense psychological pressure and give Achan an opportunity to confess.
The Punishment: Burning with fire was a punishment reserved for the most grievous sins (e.g., sexual immorality involving a priest's daughter, Lev. 21:9). It symbolized total obliteration and purification.
Outrageous Thing: The Hebrew term is nebalah, signifying a foolish, disgraceful, and scandalous act that shatters communal and moral order.

Bible references

1 Samuel 14:41-42: "Therefore Saul said to the LORD... 'cast the lot between me and Jonathan my son.' And Jonathan was taken." (Saul uses lots to identify a covenant-breaker in his army).
Proverbs 16:33: "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD." (The theological principle behind using lots for divine revelation).

Cross references

Exo 19:10 (consecration before meeting God), Jonah 1:7 (lots used to find the guilty), Lev 20:14 (burning as punishment).

Joshua 7:16-21

...and Achan... was taken. Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession to him. And tell me now what you have done..." Achan answered Joshua, "...I have sinned against the LORD... When I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them..."

In-depth-analysis

Give Glory to God: Joshua’s plea for Achan to confess is framed as an act of worship. By telling the truth, Achan would be acknowledging God’s omniscience, justice, and righteousness, thus giving Him glory even in judgment.
The Progression of Sin: Achan's confession perfectly outlines the classic pattern of temptation and sin: "I saw... I coveted... I took... I hid." This is a direct parallel to the first sin.
The Items: The "cloak from Shinar" (Babylonia/Mesopotamia) was a valuable, luxurious foreign garment, representing worldly desire. The silver and gold represent material greed. He prioritized personal gain over obedience to God.

Bible references

James 1:14-15: "But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death." (The New Testament articulation of the process Achan described).
Genesis 3:6: "So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food... a delight to the eyes... she took of its fruit and ate..." (The archetypal sin follows the same "saw...took" pattern).

Cross references

2 Sam 12:13 (David's confession), Mic 2:2 (those who covet and take), Luke 12:15 (beware of covetousness).

Joshua 7:22-26

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent... they took them... and laid them down before the LORD. And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan... and his sons and his daughters and his oxen and his donkeys and his sheep... and all that he had... to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you today." And all Israel stoned him with stones... And they raised over him a great heap of stones... Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.

In-depth-analysis

Laid before the LORD: The stolen items are returned to their rightful owner, God, symbolizing the acknowledgment of His sovereignty over the herem.
All Israel: The entire community participates in the execution, signifying their collective responsibility to purge evil from their midst and their agreement with God’s judgment.
Family's Fate: The execution of Achan’s family and possessions is harsh to a modern reader. This is understood in several ways: 1) they may have been complicit (the items were hidden in the family tent); 2) in the ancient worldview, a person’s identity and possessions were a corporate whole; 3) it served to utterly eradicate the "leaven" of sin from Israel to prevent its spread.
Valley of Achor (Trouble): The name of the place becomes a permanent memorial. The Hebrew wordplay is direct: Achan’s name sounds like achar (to trouble), and Joshua says God will now achar (trouble) him in the Valley of Achor (trouble).
Heap of Stones: This served as a monument of warning, a common practice for executed criminals or enemies (see Josh 8:29).

Bible references

Deuteronomy 13:17: "None of the devoted things shall stick to your hand, that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of his anger and show you mercy..." (The Mosaic law mandating the complete destruction of that which is herem to restore divine favor).
Deuteronomy 24:16: "Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin." (This law seems to contradict Achan's case. Scholars suggest Achan's case was one of sacrilege/treason, which operated under different rules, or that the family was complicit).
2 Corinthians 7:1: "Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God." (A NT call for believers to purge sin from their lives).

Cross references

Deu 17:7 (community participation in stoning), Josh 8:29 (heap of stones over Ai's king), Col 3:5 (put sin to death).

Polemics: This narrative functions as a polemic against the Canaanite religious view. Canaanite worship often involved materialism, appeasing deities for personal gain, and lacked a strong ethical component. This story forcefully establishes that the God of Israel is not a God who can be manipulated. His primary demand is for covenant faithfulness and moral holiness, without which all ritual and military effort is useless. Victory is contingent on purity, not power.

Joshua chapter 7 analysis

From Victory to Defeat: The book of Joshua deliberately juxtaposes chapter 6 (victory through perfect obedience and faith) with chapter 7 (defeat through one act of disobedience). This structure emphasizes that Israel's success is entirely conditional on their faithfulness to the covenant.
The "Troubler" Pun: The entire narrative revolves around the wordplay of Achan's name, which means "Troubler." His act of "troubling" Israel by sinning results in God "troubling" him with judgment in the Valley of "Trouble" (Achor). This demonstrates the principle of lex talionis (an eye for an eye) in divine judgment.
A Door of Hope: The meaning of the Valley of Achor is later transformed in Scripture. Hosea 2:15 prophesies a future time of restoration where God promises, "I will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope." The place of judgment for sin becomes the entryway to renewed fellowship and blessing, pointing toward the ultimate redemption found in Christ, who took our judgment upon Himself.
Corporate vs. Individual Responsibility: Joshua 7 powerfully affirms corporate guilt. However, later prophets like Ezekiel clarify that in the final judgment, God holds each individual accountable (Eze 18:20). Both principles are true in their respective contexts. In the Old Covenant, the nation of Israel operated as a single corporate entity in a way that the New Covenant church does both corporately and individually. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) serves as a New Testament bridge, showing how individual sin required a purifying judgment for the health of the nascent church community.

Joshua 7 summary

A single individual, Achan, secretly violates God's command by stealing "devoted things" after the victory at Jericho. His hidden sin results in corporate guilt, causing Israel to suffer a shocking defeat at Ai. Through a process of divine inquiry, Achan is exposed. His confession reveals the classic progression of sin: seeing, coveting, and taking. To restore fellowship with God and purge the evil from the camp, the entire community executes judgment on Achan and all he has in the Valley of Achor ("Trouble"). The chapter powerfully demonstrates that God's holiness demands absolute obedience and that sin within the covenant community must be dealt with severely for divine blessing to continue.

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Joshua 7 AI Image Audio and Video

Joshua chapter 7 kjv

¹ But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
² And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
³ And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labor thither; for they are but few.
⁴ So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.
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.
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!
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?
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.
¹⁶ So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:
¹⁷ And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:
¹⁸ And he brought 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 taken.
¹⁹ And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.
²⁰ And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
²¹ When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
²² So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it.
²³ And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD.
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.

Joshua chapter 7 nkjv

¹ But the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things, for Achan the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed things; so the anger of the LORD burned against the children of Israel.
² Now 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 country." So the men went up and spied out Ai.
³ And they returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for the people of Ai are few."
⁴ So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai.
⁵ And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water.
⁶ Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.
⁷ And 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 destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan!
⁸ O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies?
⁹ For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear it, and surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?"
¹⁰ So the LORD said to Joshua: "Get up! Why do you lie thus on your face?
¹¹ Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. For they have even taken some of the accursed things, and have both stolen and deceived; and they have also put it 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 have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you.
¹³ Get up, sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the LORD God of Israel: "There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you."
¹⁴ In the morning therefore you shall be brought according to your tribes. And it shall be that the tribe which the LORD takes shall come according to families; and the family which the LORD takes shall come by households; and the household which the LORD takes shall come man by man.
¹⁵ Then it shall be that he who is taken with the accursed thing shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has done a disgraceful thing in Israel.' "
¹⁶ So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel by their tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken.
¹⁷ He brought the clan of Judah, and he took the family of the Zarhites; and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man, and Zabdi was taken.
¹⁸ Then he brought 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 taken.
¹⁹ Now Joshua said to Achan, "My son, I beg you, give glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession to Him, and tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me."
²⁰ And Achan answered Joshua and said, "Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I have done:
²¹ When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it."
²² So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver under it.
²³ And they took them from the midst of the tent, brought them to Joshua and to all the children of Israel, and laid them out before the LORD.
²⁴ Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the garment, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and they brought them to the Valley of Achor.
²⁵ And Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day." So all Israel stoned him with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.
²⁶ Then they raised over him a great heap of stones, still there to this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.

Joshua chapter 7 niv

¹ But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel.
² Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth Aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, "Go up and spy out the region." So the men went up and spied out Ai.
³ When they returned to Joshua, they said, "Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there."
⁴ So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai,
⁵ who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.
⁶ Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads.
⁷ And Joshua said, "Alas, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!
⁸ Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?
⁹ The Canaanites and the other people of the country will hear about this and they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. What then will you do for your own great name?"
¹⁰ The LORD said to Joshua, "Stand up! What are you doing down on your face?
¹¹ Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions.
¹² That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
¹³ "Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, 'Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for 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.
¹⁴ "?'In the morning, present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe the LORD chooses shall come forward clan by clan; the clan the LORD chooses shall come forward family by family; and the family the LORD chooses shall come forward man by man.
¹⁵ Whoever is caught with the devoted things shall be destroyed by fire, along with all that belongs to him. He has violated the covenant of the LORD and has done an outrageous thing in Israel!'?"
¹⁶ Early the next morning Joshua had Israel come forward by tribes, and Judah was chosen.
¹⁷ The clans of Judah came forward, and the Zerahites were chosen. He had the clan of the Zerahites come forward by families, and Zimri was chosen.
¹⁸ Joshua had his family come forward man by man, and Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was chosen.
¹⁹ Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and honor him. Tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me."
²⁰ Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I have done:
²¹ When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath."
²² So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent, and there it was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath.
²³ They took the things from the tent, brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites and spread them out before the LORD.
²⁴ Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the gold bar, his sons and daughters, his cattle, donkeys and sheep, his tent and all that he had, to the Valley of Achor.
²⁵ Joshua said, "Why have you brought this trouble on us? The LORD will bring trouble on you today." Then all Israel stoned him, and after they had stoned the rest, they burned them.
²⁶ Over Achan they heaped up a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his fierce anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor ever since.

Joshua chapter 7 esv

¹ But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.
² Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." And the men went up and spied out Ai.
³ And they returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few."
⁴ So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai,
⁵ and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.
⁶ Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads.
⁷ And Joshua said, "Alas, O Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan!
⁸ O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies!
⁹ 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. And what will you do for your great name?"
¹⁰ The LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face?
¹¹ Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings.
¹² Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.
¹³ Get up! Consecrate the people and say, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, God of Israel, "There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you."
¹⁴ In the morning therefore you shall be brought near by your tribes. And the tribe that the LORD takes by lot shall come near by clans. And the clan that the LORD takes shall come near by households. And the household that the LORD takes shall come near man by man.
¹⁵ And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has done an outrageous thing in Israel.'"
¹⁶ So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel near tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was taken.
¹⁷ And he brought near the clans of Judah, and the clan of the Zerahites was taken. And he brought near the clan of the Zerahites man by man, and Zabdi was taken.
¹⁸ And he brought near his household man by man, and Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
¹⁹ Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me."
²⁰ And Achan answered Joshua, "Truly I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I did:
²¹ when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath."
²² So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was hidden in his tent with the silver underneath.
²³ And they took them out of the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the people of Israel. And they laid them down before the LORD.
²⁴ And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver and the cloak and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters and his oxen and donkeys and sheep and his tent and all that he had. And they brought them up to the Valley of Achor.
²⁵ And Joshua said, "Why did you bring trouble on us? The LORD brings trouble on you today." And all Israel stoned him with stones. They burned them with fire and stoned them with stones.
²⁶ And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his burning anger. Therefore, to this day the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor.

Joshua chapter 7 nlt

¹ But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the LORD. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the LORD was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimri son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah.
² Joshua sent some of his men from Jericho to spy out the town of Ai, east of Bethel, near Beth-aven.
³ When they returned, they told Joshua, "There's no need for all of us to go up there; it won't take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don't make all our people struggle to go up there."
⁴ So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai
⁵ chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away.
⁶ Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the LORD until evening.
⁷ Then Joshua cried out, "Oh, Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side!
⁸ Lord, what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies?
⁹ For when the Canaanites and all the other people living in the land hear about it, they will surround us and wipe our name off the face of the earth. And then what will happen to the honor of your great name?"
¹⁰ But the LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this?
¹¹ Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings.
¹² That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.
¹³ "Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the LORD. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you.
¹⁴ "In the morning you must present yourselves by tribes, and the LORD will point out the tribe to which the guilty man belongs. That tribe must come forward with its clans, and the LORD will point out the guilty clan. That clan will then come forward, and the LORD will point out the guilty family. Finally, each member of the guilty family must come forward one by one.
¹⁵ The one who has stolen what was set apart for destruction will himself be burned with fire, along with everything he has, for he has broken the covenant of the LORD and has done a horrible thing in Israel."
¹⁶ Early the next morning Joshua brought the tribes of Israel before the LORD, and the tribe of Judah was singled out.
¹⁷ Then the clans of Judah came forward, and the clan of Zerah was singled out. Then the families of Zerah came forward, and the family of Zimri was singled out.
¹⁸ Every member of Zimri's family was brought forward person by person, and Achan was singled out.
¹⁹ Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, by telling the truth. Make your confession and tell me what you have done. Don't hide it from me."
²⁰ Achan replied, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel.
²¹ Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest."
²² So Joshua sent some men to make a search. They ran to the tent and found the stolen goods hidden there, just as Achan had said, with the silver buried beneath the rest.
²³ They took the things from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites. Then they laid them on the ground in the presence of the LORD.
²⁴ Then Joshua and all the Israelites took Achan, the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, tent, and everything he had, and they brought them to the valley of Achor.
²⁵ Then Joshua said to Achan, "Why have you brought trouble on us? The LORD will now bring trouble on you." And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies.
²⁶ They piled a great heap of stones over Achan, which remains to this day. That is why the place has been called the Valley of Trouble ever since. So the LORD was no longer angry.