Joshua 6:18-19
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. But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the LORD; they shall go into the treasury of the LORD.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just a warning against taking forbidden loot; it highlights a profound truth: one person's sin can ripple outwards, making an entire community vulnerable and cursed. This isn't about accidental guilt by association, but about how a single act of disobedience can draw God's judgment upon the whole group, turning what should be blessed into something that brings trouble.
After the walls of Jericho miraculously fell, God declared the city and everything in it "devoted to destruction" as a first fruit offering to Him, with only Rahab and her family spared for their kindness. Joshua immediately issues a stern warning to the Israelite soldiers: they are absolutely forbidden from taking any of the devoted plunder, lest their disobedience bring ruin upon the entire camp.
Jericho was utterly destroyed, but the instruction about the 'devoted thing' was specific and dangerous. What exactly was it, and why the extreme caution?
The Hebrew word translated as 'devoted thing' (often rendered 'accursed thing') refers to something set apart exclusively for God, which in the case of Jericho, meant utter destruction.
Complete Devotion
This wasn't just about destroying enemies; it was a theological act. The Canaanites were judged for their deep sin, and the land was being purified. Everything in Jericho was declared 'herem,' meaning it was to be completely surrendered to God – destroyed or, in the case of precious metals, given to the tabernacle's treasury.
The Danger of Touching
Taking any of these devoted items was like stealing from God Himself. It meant bringing divine judgment upon oneself and, as the verse warns, potentially upon the entire community.
Joshua's command wasn't just about individual purity; it had massive implications for the entire nation. How could one person's sin affect everyone?
The camp of Israel was a community under God's covenant. When one person violated God's direct command regarding the devoted things, it didn't just affect them personally; it threatened the spiritual health and safety of the entire nation.
Collective Responsibility
The 'camp of Israel' was seen as a single unit in God's eyes. A sin like Achan's (which this warning foreshadows) could provoke God's judgment against everyone, even those who were innocent. Think of it like a single person bringing a contagious disease into a tightly-knit community – the whole community suffers.
A Troubled Peace
The potential consequence was God withdrawing His favor, making Israel 'a thing for destruction' and bringing 'trouble' – not just physical hardship, but a spiritual crisis where God's presence and protection were jeopardized. Obedience, therefore, was crucial for maintaining the blessing and peace of the entire community.
Understand the original words
qodesh · Hebrew Adjective
A state of being set apart for the exclusive service or possession of God. It implies being sanctified, consecrated, and removed from ordinary, secular use.
owtsar · Hebrew Noun
A place specifically designated for the collection and preservation of items dedicated to God. It serves as a repository where items of value are sanctified for the upkeep of the priesthood and the temple.
This command from Joshua isn't just about following orders; it's a crucial lesson in obedience and holiness. The catastrophic defeat at Ai later (Joshua 7) shows just how seriously God took this, demonstrating that even one person's sin could endanger the entire community and that devotion to God demanded total separation from what He had set apart.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Enters Canaan
After wandering in the desert for 40 years, the Israelites, led by Joshua, cross the Jordan River and begin their conquest of the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
The Siege of Jericho
The Israelites march around Jericho for seven days according to God's instructions, culminating in the miraculous collapse of the city walls.
c. 1406 BC
Jericho Devoted to Destruction
The city of Jericho and everything within it is declared 'devoted to destruction' (a 'cherem'), meaning it is set apart for God and not to be plundered by the Israelites.
c. 1406 BC
Achan's Sin
Despite the clear command, Achan secretly takes some of the devoted plunder, leading to disaster for the Israelites in their next battle at Ai.
This passage directly follows Joshua 6 and shows the dire consequences of the Israelites failing to heed this warning, as Achan's sin of taking devoted things brought destruction upon the entire camp.
Deuteronomy 7:25-26This earlier instruction from God to Israel echoes the command in Joshua, warning against taking any plunder from the devoted cities and that doing so would lead to destruction.
1 Corinthians 10:11-12The Apostle Paul uses the example of Israel's history, including events like Jericho, to caution believers against pride and overconfidence, reminding them to learn from past failures and stand firm lest they fall.
Leviticus 27:28-29This passage explains the concept of things 'devoted' or 'accursed' to the Lord, clarifying that such items were set apart for God and not to be retained by humans, carrying a penalty of destruction if misused.
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 verse isn't just a warning against taking forbidden loot; it highlights a profound truth: one person's sin can ripple outwards, making an entire community vulnerable and cursed. This isn't about accidental guilt by association, but about how a single act of disobedience can draw God's judgment upon the whole group, turning what should be blessed into something that brings trouble.
After the walls of Jericho miraculously fell, God declared the city and everything in it "devoted to destruction" as a first fruit offering to Him, with only Rahab and her family spared for their kindness. Joshua immediately issues a stern warning to the Israelite soldiers: they are absolutely forbidden from taking any of the devoted plunder, lest their disobedience bring ruin upon the entire camp.
After the walls of Jericho miraculously fell, God declared the city and everything in it "devoted to destruction" as a first fruit offering to Him, with only Rahab and her family spared for their kindness. Joshua immediately issues a stern warning to the Israelite soldiers: they are absolutely forbidden from taking any of the devoted plunder, lest their disobedience bring ruin upon the entire camp.
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c. 1406 BC
Disaster at Ai
The Israelites suffer a humiliating defeat at the city of Ai because of the sin of Achan, resulting in the death of many men.
c. 1406 BC
Consequences for Achan's Sin
Achan and his family are identified, stoned, and burned as a consequence of violating God's command regarding the devoted things from Jericho.
"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. But all silver and gold, and…" — This verse isn't just a warning against taking forbidden loot; it highlights a profound truth: one person's sin can ripple outwards, making an entire community vulnerable and cursed. This isn't about…
