While the text names Achan as the one who sinned, it immediately broadens the offense to "the people of Israel." This isn't just about individual guilt; it highlights how one person's hidden sin can impact the entire community's standing with God and their collective well-being.
But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Fresh off their stunning victory at Jericho, the Israelites launched an attack on the smaller city of Ai. However, their assault was a catastrophic failure; they were routed by the men of Ai, suffering significant casualties. This sudden defeat caused the entire nation, especially Joshua, to fall into despair.
Jericho was a city declared 'devoted.' This wasn't just a suggestion; it meant everything within its walls was set apart for God. What happens when someone takes what's not theirs from such a place?
The Hebrew word for 'devoted things' (or 'accursed things' in some translations) carries immense weight. It signifies something set apart, consecrated, and utterly dedicated to God, often for destruction or for the use of the sanctuary.
What 'Devoted' Meant:
Achan took something small, and he took it secretly. Yet, the fallout wasn't private; it was a national catastrophe. How can one person's hidden sin bring down a whole nation?
This passage reveals a profound, and often uncomfortable, truth about community and sin. Achan's individual act of disobedience had consequences for every Israelite.
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The Ripple Effect of Sin:
Understand the original words
ma'al · Hebrew Verb
To act unfaithfully, to be treacherous, or to violate a covenant or trust, especially against God. It implies a breach of loyalty and covenantal relationship.
cherem · Hebrew Noun
Things set apart or consecrated to God, often for destruction (in the context of war/judgment) or for His holy use. These things were forbidden for personal use under the ban (herem).
aph · Hebrew Noun
Refers to God’s righteous, holy, and intense displeasure against sin and rebellion. It is not an irrational outburst but a settled, holy reaction to the violation of His covenant and holiness.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The covenant name of the God of Israel, YHWH. It signifies His self-existence, eternal nature, and His faithfulness to His covenant promises.
This verse highlights a critical moment where a single act of disobedience by one individual, Achan, had devastating consequences for the entire nation, demonstrating the interconnectedness of the community under God's covenant and the seriousness of sin against His commands.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Following the death of Moses, Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River to begin the military conquest of the Promised Land as commanded by God.
c. 1400 BC
Fall of Jericho
The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, miraculously conquer the heavily fortified city of Jericho. God commanded that the city and its spoils be devoted to Him, meaning everything was to be destroyed or set aside for God's treasury.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Achan Steals Devoted Spoils
Achan, an Israelite soldier from the tribe of Judah, secretly takes a valuable cloak, silver, and gold from Jericho, violating God's direct command. This act of theft and disobedience is hidden from the rest of the Israelite army.
c. 1400 BC
Defeat at Ai
A small contingent of Israelites is routed by the men of Ai, suffering significant casualties. This sudden and unexpected military failure shakes the confidence of the entire Israelite nation.
c. 1400 BC
Joshua and Elders Grieve
Joshua, the elders, and the people of Israel mourn deeply over their defeat, with Joshua questioning God about why they were brought into the land only to be defeated by their enemies.
c. 1400 BC
Sin Discovered and Punished
Through a divine process involving casting lots, Achan's sin is revealed. He confesses, and he and his family, along with the stolen goods, are stoned and burned as a severe judgment for his treason against God and Israel.
This passage outlines the blessings that follow obedience and the severe consequences of disobedience, mirroring how Israel's faithfulness led to victory, while Achan's sin brought God's displeasure and defeat.
1 Corinthians 5:1-5Paul addresses a similar situation where the sin of one individual within the community is seen as a corporate issue, leading to divine discipline and the need for purging the 'leaven' from the community.
Acts 5:1-11This New Testament account of Ananias and Sapphira directly parallels Achan's sin in taking what was devoted to God, resulting in swift divine judgment on the individuals and the broader community's fear.
Deuteronomy 28:15-68This chapter details the curses that would fall upon Israel if they disobeyed God, providing the theological backdrop for why a single act of sin could bring such widespread disaster and divine anger upon the nation.
2 Samuel 21:1-14This passage describes a famine in Israel caused by Saul's sin against the Gibeonites, illustrating another instance where the sin of one (or a past generation) brought severe consequences upon the entire nation, requiring a specific act of atonement.
calvinJoshua 7:1-9: "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."
- 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 kindle…
cambridgeJoshua 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."
Ch. Joshua 7:1-5 . The Sin of Achan, and Assault on Ai 1 . committed a trespass ] The word used here in the Septuagint Version is very striking. It is the same as that employed in Acts 5:1-2 to describe the sin of Ananias and Sa…
While the text names Achan as the one who sinned, it immediately broadens the offense to "the people of Israel." This isn't just about individual guilt; it highlights how one person's hidden sin can impact the entire community's standing with God and their collective well-being.
Fresh off their stunning victory at Jericho, the Israelites launched an attack on the smaller city of Ai. However, their assault was a catastrophic failure; they were routed by the men of Ai, suffering significant casualties. This sudden defeat caused the entire nation, especially Joshua, to fall into despair.
Fresh off their stunning victory at Jericho, the Israelites launched an attack on the smaller city of Ai. However, their assault was a catastrophic failure; they were routed by the men of Ai, suffering significant casualties. This sudden defeat caused the entire nation, especially Joshua, to fall into despair.
"But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Is…" — While the text names Achan as the one who sinned, it immediately broadens the offense to "the people of Israel." This isn't just about individual guilt; it highlights how one person's hidden sin can…
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Last reviewed October 2026
