Joshua 7:11-12
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The verse highlights that Israel didn't just sin; they specifically "transgressed my covenant," meaning they broke the foundational agreement with God. What's easily missed is how this wasn't just a minor infraction, but an act of defiance that directly violated the terms of their relationship with Him, turning their spoils into a "curse" among them.
Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a stunning victory at Jericho, the Israelites suffered a shocking defeat at the small city of Ai. Joshua, utterly bewildered and ashamed, falls on his face before God, prompting the Lord to reveal the cause of this disaster. God declares that Israel has sinned by taking forbidden plunder from Jericho, violating His covenant and bringing His judgment upon them.
Why would taking a single item cause an entire nation to suffer defeat? It wasn't just any spoil; it was 'devoted.' What does that really mean, and why was it so serious?
When God conquered Jericho, He declared the spoils "devoted" – meaning set apart exclusively for Him. This wasn't a suggestion; it was a command, a solemn promise Israel made to obey.
Achan didn't just take something; he also stole and lied. How did these actions compound his sin and lead to Israel's downfall?
Achan's sin wasn't a single, isolated act. It unraveled into a series of deliberate choices that deepened his guilt and affected the whole community.
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Understand the original words
chata' · Hebrew Verb
To miss the mark, violate God's law, or fall short of His standard of holiness. In a covenantal context, it signifies an act of rebellion against the Sovereign Lord.
abar · Hebrew Verb
A serious breach of a binding agreement or legal contract. In the Bible, it refers to the breaking of the treaty relationship established between Yahweh and His people, often involving disobedience to specific stipulations.
berit · Hebrew Noun
A formal, solemn promise or treaty between two parties, typically involving mutual obligations, blessings for obedience, and curses for disobedience. In the Old Testament, it describes the established relationship between God and His people.
cherem · Hebrew Noun
Objects or persons set apart specifically for God’s use, or in the context of judgment, things set apart for total destruction as an act of holy warfare. Once declared as such, these items belong entirely to God and cannot be used for common purposes.
This event underscores that even after a major victory like Jericho, disobedience can lead to devastating consequences. A single person's sin, if unaddressed, can bring disaster upon the entire community and sever their relationship with God, highlighting the seriousness of covenant faithfulness.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Jericho
The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, conquer the heavily fortified city of Jericho. As a sign of God's judgment on the Canaanites, the city and everything in it are declared 'devoted' or 'accursed' and are to be destroyed.
Immediately after Jericho— this verse
Sin at the Camp
An Israelite named Achan secretly takes some of the devoted plunder from Jericho and hides it among his possessions, disobeying a direct command from God given through Moses and reinforced by Joshua.
Shortly after Achan's sin
Defeat at Ai
Trusting in their numbers rather than God's guidance, a small force of Israelites attacks the city of Ai and is routed by the defenders, suffering significant casualties. This defeat is a direct consequence of Achan's sin.
Following the defeat
God Confronts Joshua
Joshua, devastated by the defeat, prostrates himself before the Lord. God reveals the reason for the defeat: Israel has sinned by taking from the devoted things, violating His covenant.
Following God's revelation
Divine Investigation and Judgment
God instructs Joshua to conduct a meticulous investigation, using lots to identify the guilty tribe (Judah), then family, then household, and finally the individual, Achan. Achan confesses, and he and his family are put to death by stoning and burning as a demonstration of God's justice and to remove the 'devoted thing' from Israel.
This passage speaks to the consequences of breaking God's covenant, stating that enemies will oppress those who disobey, mirroring the defeat Israel faced at Ai due to Achan's sin.
Deuteronomy 7:25-26These verses explicitly command Israel to destroy the idols and cursed things of the Canaanites and not to bring them into their homes, highlighting the direct violation of this command by Achan.
1 Corinthians 5:10-11Paul addresses a similar issue of unaddressed sin within the church, warning against associating with those who claim to be believers but live in sin, much like Israel's collective guilt until Achan was exposed.
Acts 5:1-11The story of Ananias and Sapphira parallels Achan's sin as they lied about their possessions and kept back what was consecrated, showing that dishonesty with God's people and resources has severe consequences.
calvinJoshua 7:10-18: "And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?"
Tunc dixit Jehova ad Josuam, Surge. Ut quid tu ita procidis super faciem tuam?
Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.
Peccavit Israel, atque adeo transgressi sunt pactum meum quod praecepi illis…
barnesJoshua 7:11: "Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff."
Also stolen, and dissembled also - The anger of God and the heinousness of Israel's sin are marked by the accumulation of clause upon clause. As a climax they had even appropriated to their own use the consecrated property purloined from God.
The verse highlights that Israel didn't just sin; they specifically "transgressed my covenant," meaning they broke the foundational agreement with God. What's easily missed is how this wasn't just a minor infraction, but an act of defiance that directly violated the terms of their relationship with Him, turning their spoils into a "curse" among them.
After a stunning victory at Jericho, the Israelites suffered a shocking defeat at the small city of Ai. Joshua, utterly bewildered and ashamed, falls on his face before God, prompting the Lord to reveal the cause of this disaster. God declares that Israel has sinned by taking forbidden plunder from Jericho, violating His covenant and bringing His judgment upon them.
After a stunning victory at Jericho, the Israelites suffered a shocking defeat at the small city of Ai. Joshua, utterly bewildered and ashamed, falls on his face before God, prompting the Lord to reveal the cause of this disaster. God declares that Israel has sinned by taking forbidden plunder from Jericho, violating His covenant and bringing His judgment upon them.
"Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen and lied and put them among their own belongings. Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before…" — The verse highlights that Israel didn't just sin; they specifically "transgressed my covenant," meaning they broke the foundational agreement with God. What's easily missed is how this wasn't just a…
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Last reviewed October 2026
