But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse warns that taking anything "devoted to destruction" wouldn't just doom the guilty individual, but could bring God's curse and ruin upon the entire camp of Israel, making them all subject to judgment for one person's sin. This highlights how one person's disobedience can have far-reaching, collective consequences for the whole community of faith.
But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Right after the walls of Jericho miraculously fell, the Israelites were warned to completely avoid any plunder from the city, as it was designated as "devoted to destruction" for God. This strict prohibition was crucial because taking anything from Jericho would make the offender, and potentially the entire Israelite camp, subject to the same curse and bring disaster upon them all. This stern command sets the stage for a future incident where this warning will be tragically ignored.
Jericho was utterly destroyed, but Joshua gives a specific warning to Israel: 'keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction.' What exactly was this 'thing,' and why was it so dangerous?
The Hebrew word here translated as 'devoted thing' or 'accursed thing' refers to something set apart for God's judgment and destruction. In the context of Jericho, the city and everything within it were to be completely annihilated as an act of obedience and judgment against the Canaanites' wickedness.
Joshua warns that taking from the devoted things won't just affect the individual; it will curse the entire camp of Israel. How can one person's sin cause such widespread trouble?
The sin of taking the 'devoted thing' had a contagious and devastating impact on the entire community of Israel. It wasn't just about personal guilt; it was about corporate responsibility and the breakdown of their covenant relationship with God.
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This verse highlights the critical importance of obedience to God's specific commands, especially concerning 'devoted things' set apart for Him. Achan's later transgression and the devastating consequences for Israel underscore that individual sin can have widespread repercussions.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Crosses the Jordan River
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, marking their entry into the Promised Land and the beginning of their conquest.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
The Siege and Fall of Jericho
The Israelites marched around Jericho for seven days, and on the seventh day, the walls collapsed. This was the first major city conquered in Canaan.
c. 1406 BC
Achan's Sin and Disobedience
Despite explicit commands, Achan secretly took valuable items from Jericho, bringing divine judgment upon himself and Israel.
c. 1406 BC
Defeat at Ai
Following Jericho, Israel suffered a humiliating defeat at the city of Ai due to Achan's sin and the subsequent disobedience of some Israelites.
c. 1406 BC
Judgment on Achan and his Family
Achan's sin was discovered through divine revelation, leading to his execution and the destruction of his family and possessions by stoning and burning.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest and Division of Canaan
After dealing with the sin, Israel resumed its conquest of Canaan, eventually dividing the land among the twelve tribes.
This passage directly shows the devastating consequences of disobeying Joshua 6:18, as Achan's sin of taking 'devoted things' brought trouble upon the entire camp of Israel.
Deuteronomy 13:17This verse provides the broader principle behind the command in Joshua, warning that anything 'devoted to destruction' must not be retained, lest the entire community be destroyed by God's wrath.
1 Corinthians 10:11Paul uses the Jericho incident as an example for the Corinthian church, highlighting that these events were recorded as warnings against disobedience and greed, showing how sin can bring widespread trouble.
Leviticus 27:28-29These verses explain the concept of 'devoted things' (Hebrew: herem), clarifying that such things were utterly set apart for the Lord, to be destroyed or given to the sanctuary, making any personal appropriation a grave offense.
gillJoshua 6:18: "And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it."
And you in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing,.... From laying hold on, secreting, and enjoying as their own, what was devoted to another use: lest ye make yourselves accursed; or a "cherem", also devoted to destruction: when ye take of the accursed thing; any part of it, be it what it…
bensonJoshua 6:18: "And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it."
Joshua 6:18 . Keep yourselves from the accursed thing — It should rather be rendered, the devoted thing, meaning the spoils devoted to the Lord. These they were not to touch, on pain of being themselves devoted to death. Lest ye make yourselves accursed — Lest you draw upon yourselves the immediate…
The verse warns that taking anything "devoted to destruction" wouldn't just doom the guilty individual, but could bring God's curse and ruin upon the entire camp of Israel, making them all subject to judgment for one person's sin. This highlights how one person's disobedience can have far-reaching, collective consequences for the whole community of faith.
Right after the walls of Jericho miraculously fell, the Israelites were warned to completely avoid any plunder from the city, as it was designated as "devoted to destruction" for God. This strict prohibition was crucial because taking anything from Jericho would make the offender, and potentially the entire Israelite camp, subject to the same curse and bring disaster upon them all. This stern command sets the stage for a future incident where this warning will be tragically ignored.
Right after the walls of Jericho miraculously fell, the Israelites were warned to completely avoid any plunder from the city, as it was designated as "devoted to destruction" for God. This strict prohibition was crucial because taking anything from Jericho would make the offender, and potentially the entire Israelite camp, subject to the same curse and bring disaster upon them all. This stern command sets the stage for a future incident where this warning will be tragically ignored.
"But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it." — The verse warns that taking anything "devoted to destruction" wouldn't just doom the guilty individual, but could bring God's curse and ruin upon the entire camp of Israel, making them all subject…
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Last reviewed October 2026