Joshua 6:18-19
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This verse isn't just about avoiding physical plunder; it's a stark warning that even a tiny piece of something "devoted to destruction" can infect the entire community. The consequence isn't just individual guilt, but the potential for the whole "camp of Israel" to become cursed and thrown into chaos because of one person's hidden sin.
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)
Jericho's walls have just fallen, and the city and everything in it are declared "devoted to destruction" as a holy offering to the Lord. Joshua now issues a strict command to the Israelites, warning them individually to avoid taking any of the forbidden plunder, lest their disobedience not only brings divine judgment upon themselves but also a curse and disaster upon the entire camp. This caution highlights the seriousness of obedience and the communal consequences of sin within the covenant community.
Joshua's command is stark: 'keep yourselves from the accursed thing.' But what exactly was this 'thing,' and why was it so dangerous?
The 'accursed thing,' or cherem in Hebrew, refers to items and people set apart for complete destruction, dedicated to God and not to be possessed by anyone. In the case of Jericho, everything within the city was devoted to destruction as a judgment against its wickedness. This wasn't just about physical destruction; it was about setting aside the entire city and its contents as a holy offering to God, demonstrating His fierce judgment against sin.
Crucially, this meant nothing from Jericho was to be kept as spoil by the Israelites. Unlike other cities they would conquer, Jericho was to be completely eradicated, with its wealth dedicated solely to the Lord (Joshua 6:19). To take any part of it was to desecrate God's holy judgment and bring His wrath upon oneself and the entire community.
Joshua's stern warning wasn't just about individual sin. He highlights a terrifying consequence: the potential ruin of the entire camp. How could one person's actions doom thousands?
The danger of the 'accursed thing' extended far beyond the individual who took it. Joshua emphasizes that one person's sin could 'make the camp of Israel a curse and trouble it.' This reveals a profound truth about the covenant community.
When God established Israel as His chosen people, their obedience and disobedience had corporate consequences. Achan's sin in taking devoted things didn't just bring judgment on him and his family; it provoked God's anger against the whole nation, leading to defeat in their next battle (Joshua 7). This teaches us that our actions, especially within the community of faith, are not isolated. One person's rebellion can bring spiritual sickness and divine displeasure upon the whole body, even if others are innocent of the specific act.
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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 is given right before the fall of Jericho, a pivotal moment. It highlights the severe consequences of disobedience, as Israel's first taste of Canaanite cities was meant to be a holy offering, not a spoil.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter Canaan
After 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River to begin the conquest of Canaan.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Siege of Jericho Begins
The Israelites begin their divinely orchestrated, week-long siege of Jericho, a heavily fortified city.
c. 1400 BC
Walls of Jericho Fall
Following Joshua's instructions, the Israelites march around Jericho for seven days. On the seventh day, after a great shout and the sound of trumpets, the walls collapse.
c. 1400 BC
Jericho Devoted to Destruction
As commanded, Jericho and its inhabitants are destroyed, with all its wealth consecrated to the Lord and kept from Israelite possession, except for Rahab and her household.
c. 1400 BC
Achan's Transgression
A man named Achan disobeys God's command by taking some of the devoted spoils from Jericho. This act brings disaster upon the Israelite army during their next engagement.
c. 1400 BC
Discovery and Punishment of Achan
Joshua confronts Achan, who confesses his sin. Achan, his family, and his stolen goods are then destroyed by stoning and burning, purging the sin from Israel.
This passage directly shows the devastating consequences of ignoring the command in Joshua 6:18, as Achan's sin of taking devoted things brought disaster upon the entire camp of Israel.
Deuteronomy 7:25-26This Deuteronomy passage echoes the warning of Joshua 6:18 by prohibiting the Israelites from taking any of the 'devoted things' of the Canaanites, stating that it would lead to destruction and become a snare.
1 Corinthians 10:11Paul uses the example of Israel's disobedience in the wilderness, including events like Jericho, as warnings for believers, highlighting how their actions had serious consequences and were written down to instruct future generations.
Galatians 6:7This verse articulates the principle behind Joshua 6:18's warning: 'A man reaps whatever he sows.' Taking what was devoted to destruction would inevitably lead to reaping a curse, not a blessing.
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 about avoiding physical plunder; it's a stark warning that even a tiny piece of something "devoted to destruction" can infect the entire community. The consequence isn't just individual guilt, but the potential for the whole "camp of Israel" to become cursed and thrown into chaos because of one person's hidden sin.
Jericho's walls have just fallen, and the city and everything in it are declared "devoted to destruction" as a holy offering to the Lord. Joshua now issues a strict command to the Israelites, warning them individually to avoid taking any of the forbidden plunder, lest their disobedience not only brings divine judgment upon themselves but also a curse and disaster upon the entire camp. This caution highlights the seriousness of obedience and the communal consequences of sin within the covenant community.
Jericho's walls have just fallen, and the city and everything in it are declared "devoted to destruction" as a holy offering to the Lord. Joshua now issues a strict command to the Israelites, warning them individually to avoid taking any of the forbidden plunder, lest their disobedience not only brings divine judgment upon themselves but also a curse and disaster upon the entire camp. This caution highlights the seriousness of obedience and the communal consequences of sin within the covenant community.
"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 about avoiding physical plunder; it's a stark warning that even a tiny piece of something "devoted to destruction" can infect the entire community. The consequence isn't just in…
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Last reviewed October 2026
