Joshua 7:1-2
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. Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss here is that the text says "the people of Israel committed a trespass," even though it was Achan alone who took the forbidden item. This highlights how in God's eyes, the sin of one person can bring devastating consequences and even guilt upon the entire community they belong to, especially when that sin goes unaddressed. It reveals a profound interconnectedness within God's people, where individual actions have ripple effects that impact everyone.
Just after the triumphant and miraculous conquest of Jericho, the Israelites face their first major setback. One man, Achan, disobeys a direct command from God by taking valuable items from the fallen city, which were meant to be devoted to destruction. This single act of disobedience sparks God's anger against the entire nation, leading directly to their humiliating defeat at the city of Ai.
How can one person's secret action bring disaster upon an entire nation? This verse reveals a truth about sin that's as terrifying as it is profound.
Joshua 7:1 introduces us to a pivotal moment where Israel's triumphant march into the Promised Land is suddenly halted. The cause? Not a military defeat, but a single act of disobedience.
Achan's Fatal Choice
The text names Achan and traces his lineage, highlighting that this wasn't an anonymous mistake. He deliberately took "devoted things" – items specifically set aside for God, which were under a curse for anyone to take (Joshua 6:19). This wasn't just theft; it was sacrilege.
The Ripple Effect
The verse declares, "the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel." This is a crucial point: sin, even when committed by an individual, can have corporate consequences.
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The Bible speaks of 'devoted things' or 'accursed things.' What are they, and why was taking them such a serious offense that it angered God?
The phrase "devoted things" (or "accursed things") refers to items that God had specifically set apart, often as part of a conquest, to be utterly destroyed or given entirely to Him. This was a serious command with profound implications.
The Ban of Jericho
At Jericho, God commanded complete destruction. Nothing was to be taken as plunder. Everything—gold, silver, bronze, iron, and all other valuables—was to be brought into the treasury of the Lord (Joshua 6:19). This was a radical act of obedience and faith, demonstrating that God alone was their source of victory and provision.
Achan's Sacrilege
Achan's sin was not merely taking spoils; it was taking what was devoted to God. He didn't just steal from the city; he stole from God Himself. This act is compared to the sin of Ananias and Sapphira in the New Testament (Acts 5:1-11), who lied about the proceeds of a sale, keeping back a portion that they had vowed to give to the Lord.
Why Such Anger?
God's anger burned because Achan's action undermined:
This highlights that obedience, especially concerning what God claims for Himself, is paramount in our relationship with Him.
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 that even one person's hidden sin can have devastating consequences for the entire community, leading to God's judgment and national disaster.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Following God's guidance, Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River to begin conquering the land of Canaan.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Fall of Jericho
The mighty walls of Jericho are miraculously destroyed after a week of marching and shouting, fulfilling God's promise. The city and its spoils are declared 'devoted,' meaning everything and everyone is to be destroyed or set apart for God, with nothing taken for personal gain.
c. 1400 BC
Achan's Sin
Achan secretly takes forbidden plunder from Jericho, violating God's clear command. This act of disobedience and theft brings God's anger upon the entire Israelite community.
c. 1400 BC
Defeat at Ai
A smaller Israelite force suffers a humiliating defeat at the city of Ai, losing about 36 men. This loss is a direct consequence of Achan's sin and God's displeasure.
c. 1400 BC
Discovery and Judgment
Through a divine process of elimination and the casting of lots, Achan's sin is exposed. He confesses his actions and, along with his family and possessions, is stoned and burned as a penalty for his treason against God and Israel.
This passage promises blessings for obedience and warns of consequences for disobedience, directly paralleling the idea that Israel's relationship with God was conditional on their faithfulness, just as Achan's sin brought divine anger.
1 Corinthians 5:6Paul uses the analogy of leaven to explain how a little sin can spread and corrupt the whole community, much like Achan's hidden sin affected all of Israel and led to their defeat.
Acts 5:1-11Ananias and Sapphira’s sin of withholding devoted funds parallels Achan’s sin of taking what was devoted to God, showing a consistent principle that dishonesty with God’s portion brings severe judgment.
Deuteronomy 7:25-26This passage instructs Israel to destroy idolatrous objects and not covet them, showing the strictness of God’s commands regarding things under His ban and the danger of desiring them, which directly relates to Achan’s transgression.
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…
What's easy to miss here is that the text says "the people of Israel committed a trespass," even though it was Achan alone who took the forbidden item. This highlights how in God's eyes, the sin of one person can bring devastating consequences and even guilt upon the entire community they belong to, especially when that sin goes unaddressed. It reveals a profound interconnectedness within God's people, where individual actions have ripple effects that impact everyone.
Just after the triumphant and miraculous conquest of Jericho, the Israelites face their first major setback. One man, Achan, disobeys a direct command from God by taking valuable items from the fallen city, which were meant to be devoted to destruction. This single act of disobedience sparks God's anger against the entire nation, leading directly to their humiliating defeat at the city of Ai.
Just after the triumphant and miraculous conquest of Jericho, the Israelites face their first major setback. One man, Achan, disobeys a direct command from God by taking valuable items from the fallen city, which were meant to be devoted to destruction. This single act of disobedience sparks God's anger against the entire nation, leading directly to their humiliating defeat at the city of Ai.
"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…" — What's easy to miss here is that the text says "the people of Israel committed a trespass," even though it was Achan alone who took the forbidden item. This highlights how in God's eyes, the sin of o…
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