1 Chronicles 2 7

1 Chronicles 2:7 kjv

And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.

1 Chronicles 2:7 nkjv

The son of Carmi was Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the accursed thing.

1 Chronicles 2:7 niv

The son of Karmi: Achar, who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things.

1 Chronicles 2:7 esv

The son of Carmi: Achan, the troubler of Israel, who broke faith in the matter of the devoted thing;

1 Chronicles 2:7 nlt

The son of Carmi (a descendant of Zimri) was Achan, who brought disaster on Israel by taking plunder that had been set apart for the LORD.

1 Chronicles 2 verses

1 Chronicles 2 7 Meaning

1 Chronicles 2:7 records a brief yet crucial detail within the lineage of Judah, highlighting a specific descendant of Carmi named Achar (Achan) due to his significant act of unfaithfulness. The verse defines him as "the troubler of Israel" because he "transgressed in the matter of the devoted thing." This directly refers to Achan's disobedience at Jericho when he secretly took forbidden items, leading to divine judgment upon Israel and their defeat at Ai, ultimately costing him his life and bringing trouble upon the entire nation. It serves as a stern reminder within the genealogies of the severe consequences of individual sin on the whole covenant community.

1 Chronicles 2 7 Context

This verse is embedded within the lengthy genealogies of Judah (1 Chron 2:3-55), which immediately follow the broad lineage of Israel's tribes. The Chronicler meticulously records these lineages, primarily focusing on Judah because the Davidic kings, and therefore the Messianic line, stemmed from this tribe. The inclusion of Achar (Achan) stands out because genealogical lists typically omit notorious individuals or focus on positive contributions. However, the Chronicler's specific mention and explanatory details break this pattern to convey a crucial theological point. The historical context for Achan's sin is the crucial early period of Israel's conquest of Canaan under Joshua. At Jericho, God commanded that everything be "devoted" (herem) to Him—either destroyed or placed in the Lord's treasury—with nothing taken for personal gain. Achan's violation of this command directly led to Israel's defeat at Ai, demonstrating that even a single individual's transgression against God's holiness could bring about severe divine judgment upon the entire covenant community, hindering their progress and costing lives. The Chronicler uses this historical incident to highlight the importance of corporate obedience and the devastating impact of individual unfaithfulness, providing a moral lesson for the post-exilic community about faithfulness to God's covenant.

1 Chronicles 2 7 Word analysis

• The sons of Carmi: This identifies Achar's immediate family lineage. In Joshua 7:1, Achan is identified as "the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah." The Chronicler, for conciseness or theological emphasis, directly lists Achar as Carmi's son, omitting the intermediate generations. This direct connection points to Achar as part of the Judahite clan of Zerah.
• Achar: אָכָר (’Ākhār). This is a deliberate phonetic alteration from his original name in Joshua 7, which is עָכָן (‘Ākhān), Achan. The Chronicler uses "Achar" because it directly parallels and sounds like the Hebrew verb עָכַר (‘ākhar), meaning "to trouble" or "to stir up." This name-play is a powerful theological statement, transforming Achan's very name into a perpetual reminder of his infamous act and its consequences for Israel.
• the troubler of Israel: עֹכֵר יִשְׂרָאֵל (‘ōkhēr Yiśrā’ēl). This phrase directly reinforces the significance of Achar's altered name. It is a quote from Joshua's words to Achan just before his stoning: "Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day" (Josh 7:25). It explicitly labels Achan by the primary consequence of his sin – he brought disaster and grief upon the entire nation. This highlights the concept of corporate solidarity within ancient Israel, where an individual's actions could directly affect the community's standing with God.
• who transgressed: אֲשֶׁר מָעַל (’ăsher mā‘al). The verb ma‘al (מעל) is significant. It describes more than just simple disobedience; it implies "breaching faith," "acting treacherously," or "committing unfaithfulness," especially in sacred or covenant matters (Lev 5:15; Num 5:6; Ezek 14:13). Achan's sin was not merely breaking a rule; it was a violation of his sacred trust and covenant relationship with God, involving consecrated items. This term underscores the severe theological nature of his crime.
• in the matter of the devoted thing: בַּחֵרֶם (baḥerem). The term ḥerem (חֵרֶם) refers to something "devoted" or "set apart" for God, often meaning it is irrevocably consecrated for destruction or dedicated to the temple treasury. In the context of the conquest of Jericho, God had declared the entire city, with a few exceptions (gold, silver, bronze, iron), to be herem – to be utterly destroyed as an offering to God, symbolizing His judgment on paganism and Israel's sole reliance on Him for victory. By taking items from the ḥerem, Achan essentially stole from God and violated divine holiness.

1 Chronicles 2 7 Bonus section

• The Chronicler often uses genealogies not merely for historical record but as vehicles for theological instruction, demonstrating divine blessings or curses based on covenant faithfulness. This verse exemplifies that editorial tendency.
• The immediate literary context of this verse within the genealogies, especially Judah's lineage, highlights the contrast between the typical purpose of genealogies (to trace a blessed lineage, like David's) and the disruptive presence of a troubler like Achan.
• This serves as an early biblical example of "corporate punishment" or "corporate responsibility," where the sin of an individual led to judgment upon the entire group to which he belonged. This concept is distinct from individual accountability and often applies in covenant contexts, emphasizing the interconnectedness of God's people.
• The alteration of Achan's name from "Achan" to "Achar" by the Chronicler is an exegetical device, underscoring the spiritual and communal meaning of the event rather than merely recording factual data. This showcases the Chronicler's interpretative theology at work.
• The herem principle underscores God's absolute ownership and holiness; violation was considered a profound sacrilege. This foundational incident sets a precedent for understanding the strict demands of God's holiness throughout Israel's history.

1 Chronicles 2 7 Commentary

1 Chronicles 2:7 is far more than a simple genealogical entry; it is a profound theological warning inserted into the heart of Judah's lineage. By renaming Achan to "Achar" ("troubler") and concisely recounting his transgression concerning the herem, the Chronicler highlights the grave and far-reaching consequences of individual sin on the entire community. It emphasizes that faithfulness to God's specific commands, even seemingly small ones, is paramount for the well-being of the nation. Achan's sin of covetousness and unfaithfulness (maal`) violated the sanctity of what was dedicated to God and resulted in military defeat and the death of fellow Israelites. This concise historical detour serves as a stark object lesson for the returning exiles, reminding them that their actions collectively contribute to their spiritual health and success, urging meticulous adherence to the covenant to avoid similar troubles experienced by their ancestors.