Joshua 6:18
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)
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This isn't just about avoiding forbidden things, but about guarding against becoming a "thing devoted to destruction" ourselves. The warning highlights that personal disobedience can infect the entire community, bringing ruin not just on the individual, but on the whole "camp of Israel."
After the walls of Jericho miraculously fell, Joshua commanded that the city and everything in it be completely destroyed as an offering to God, with the sole exception of Rahab and her family. This verse is a stark warning to the Israelites to stay far away from any of the "devoted things" from Jericho, lest their disobedience bring destruction upon the entire community. This solemn command is reiterated right before the soldiers enter the utterly devastated city.
Jericho wasn't just a city to conquer; it was a sacred offering. Discover what 'devoted to destruction' truly meant for Israel.
The Hebrew word translated here as 'accursed' or 'devoted' signifies something set apart for God, often for destruction. This wasn't simply loot; it was surrender.
A Sacred Vow
When God declared Jericho 'devoted to destruction,' it meant everything within its walls—people, animals, and possessions—was to be completely eliminated or given to the Lord, never to be possessed by humans. This was a radical act of obedience, signifying Israel's complete separation from the pagan practices of Canaan.
The Danger of 'Cherem'
Taking anything from this 'devoted' stock was like stealing from God Himself. It wasn't just a minor offense; it carried the same penalty as the original curse – destruction. This principle applied not only to the guilty individual but could bring trouble upon the entire community.
How could one person's greed endanger the entire nation? This verse reveals the interconnectedness of Israel's faith and its devastating impact.
Joshua's warning wasn't just about individual punishment; it had a profound communal dimension. Taking anything from Jericho's spoils had the potential to 'make the camp of Israel a curse and bring trouble upon it.'
The Ripple Effect of Disobedience
When an individual sinned against God's direct command, especially in a matter of such solemnity as Jericho's destruction, the entire community was at risk. This wasn't about God punishing the innocent for the guilty, but rather that one person's sin could provoke God's judgment upon the whole camp, especially if the camp also had unaddressed sins. The purity of Israel, consecrated to God, was paramount.
Preserving the Covenant Community
Joshua’s stringent warning was meant to protect the integrity of the entire nation. Achan's later transgression (Joshua 7) proves this vividly: his single act of taking a cloak and silver brought defeat and death upon many Israelites.
This verse comes at a critical moment just after the miraculous fall of Jericho. God commanded that the city and everything in it be 'devoted to destruction' – essentially a holy offering to Him, from which no one was to take anything. Joshua's warning here underscores the severe danger of even touching these devoted items, as it would bring divine judgment not only on the individual but on the entire camp of Israel.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, cross the Jordan River to begin their conquest of the Promised Land.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Siege and Destruction of Jericho
The Israelites march around Jericho for seven days as commanded by God. On the seventh day, the walls miraculously collapse, and the city is utterly destroyed and devoted to the Lord.
c. 1400 BC
Achan's Sin and its Discovery
Achan secretly takes forbidden plunder from Jericho, leading to Israel's defeat at Ai. God reveals Achan's sin to Joshua, showing the severe consequences of disobedience.
c. 1400 BC
Execution of Achan and his Family
As a consequence of his sin, Achan, his family, and his possessions are destroyed by stones and fire, purifying the camp of Israel.
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…
This isn't just about avoiding forbidden things, but about guarding against becoming a "thing devoted to destruction" ourselves. The warning highlights that personal disobedience can infect the entire community, bringing ruin not just on the individual, but on the whole "camp of Israel."
After the walls of Jericho miraculously fell, Joshua commanded that the city and everything in it be completely destroyed as an offering to God, with the sole exception of Rahab and her family. This verse is a stark warning to the Israelites to stay far away from any of the "devoted things" from Jericho, lest their disobedience bring destruction upon the entire community. This solemn command is reiterated right before the soldiers enter the utterly devastated city.
After the walls of Jericho miraculously fell, Joshua commanded that the city and everything in it be completely destroyed as an offering to God, with the sole exception of Rahab and her family. This verse is a stark warning to the Israelites to stay far away from any of the "devoted things" from Jericho, lest their disobedience bring destruction upon the entire community. This solemn command is reiterated right before the soldiers enter the utterly devastated city.
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c. 1400 BC
Re-conquest of Ai and Covenant Renewal
After dealing with Achan's sin, the Israelites successfully conquer Ai. They then gather at Mount Ebal to renew their covenant with God, reaffirming the commands given.
"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." — This isn't just about avoiding forbidden things, but about guarding against becoming a "thing devoted to destruction" ourselves. The warning highlights that personal disobedience can infect the ent…
