Bible Chapter Summary
Joshua 7 Summary
Achan's Sin Brings Defeat and Judgment
Israel suffers an unexpected defeat at Ai after Achan, of the tribe of Judah, secretly takes forbidden items from the spoils of Jericho, violating God's command concerning the accursed things. Joshua and the elders mourn before the ark until God reveals that Israel's failure in battle is a direct consequence of this hidden sin, warning that He will not continue with them until the guilty party is removed. Through a systematic casting of lots by tribe, family, household, and individual, Achan is identified and confesses to having stolen a Babylonish garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a fifty-shekel wedge of gold, all of which are found hidden in his tent. Achan, along with his household and possessions, is brought to the valley of Achor, where all Israel stones and burns them; a great heap of stones is raised over him, and the LORD turns from His fierce anger.
Key themes
Key verses
Joshua 7:1
“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.”
Joshua 7:11
“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.”
Joshua 7:21
“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.”
Joshua 7:25
“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.”
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