God's presence is withdrawn not just because of the sin, but because the people have become "devoted for destruction" by harboring it. This means the sin itself has made them susceptible to the very doom meant for Jericho, and their victory is forfeited until the "devoted thing" is removed.
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 devastating defeat at the small city of Ai, Joshua falls face down in despair. God rouses him, explaining that Israel’s failure stems directly from their disobedience: someone has stolen and hidden items devoted to destruction from Jericho, making the entire nation "devoted for destruction" themselves. God declares He will no longer be with them unless this forbidden "accursed thing" is purged from their community.
Why would God's presence suddenly withdraw from an entire nation, leaving them vulnerable and defeated? It wasn't a change of heart for God, but a consequence of sin.
In Joshua 7:12, God explains the devastating military defeat: 'they have become devoted for destruction.' This refers to Achan's sin in taking spoils from Jericho, which God had declared 'devoted' to Him – meaning set apart for destruction and not to be kept by Israel.
What is 'Devoted for Destruction'?
Israel's backs were turned to their enemies. This wasn't just a military setback; it was a loud, clear signal from God about a deeper issue.
The verse starkly contrasts Israel's former victories with their current defeat: 'the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies.' This wasn't a lack of skill or courage, but a direct result of their spiritual condition.
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The Connection Between Sin and Spiritual Weakness:
This verse highlights a crucial, non-negotiable principle: obedience is paramount, and even one person's hidden sin can have devastating consequences for the entire community, impacting their relationship with God and their ability to overcome challenges.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Jericho
The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, miraculously conquered the fortified city of Jericho. As part of God's command, all its inhabitants and possessions were to be utterly destroyed, with no one allowed to keep any spoils.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Achan's Sin
Despite the clear command, Achan secretly took a valuable robe, silver, and gold from Jericho and hid them among his belongings. This act of disobedience and greed made him and the entire Israelite nation 'devoted for destruction'.
c. 1400 BC
Defeat at Ai
Following the victory at Jericho, the Israelites suffered a humiliating defeat at the small city of Ai. Only about 3,000 men were sent, and they were routed by the men of Ai, causing panic and despair among the Israelite ranks.
c. 1400 BC
God Confronts Joshua
Joshua, devastated by the defeat, fell on his face before the Lord. God revealed that the reason for Israel's failure was Achan's sin and that God's presence would be withdrawn until the 'devoted thing' was removed.
c. 1400 BC
Discovery and Judgment of Achan
Through a divinely orchestrated process of elimination by tribe, family, and household, Achan was identified as the culprit. He confessed his sin, and he, his family, and his possessions were destroyed by fire as a consequence.
This verse directly warns Israel that they will become 'devoted to destruction' if they touch any of the devoted things from Jericho, directly linking their future inability to stand against enemies to this specific sin.
1 Corinthians 5:13Paul uses a similar concept of 'removing' the wicked person from the community when dealing with serious sin, drawing a parallel to Israel's need to purge the 'devoted thing' to restore their standing.
Deuteronomy 28:25This passage in the blessings and curses explicitly states that Israel would be 'put to rout before your enemies' if they disobeyed God, providing a broader theological context for why sin leads to defeat.
Galatians 3:10This verse highlights the curse that comes from failing to keep all the commands of the Law, reinforcing the idea that even one sin, like Achan's, could bring the community under a curse and make them vulnerable.
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…
cambridgeJoshua 7:12: "Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you."
12 . except ye destroy the accursed from among you ] The LXX. translate, “Except ye remove the accursed thing, the Anathema, from among you,” using the identical word for remove that St Paul uses respecting the incestuous Corinthian, “therefore put away fr…
God's presence is withdrawn not just because of the sin, but because the people have become "devoted for destruction" by harboring it. This means the sin itself has made them susceptible to the very doom meant for Jericho, and their victory is forfeited until the "devoted thing" is removed.
After a devastating defeat at the small city of Ai, Joshua falls face down in despair. God rouses him, explaining that Israel’s failure stems directly from their disobedience: someone has stolen and hidden items devoted to destruction from Jericho, making the entire nation "devoted for destruction" themselves. God declares He will no longer be with them unless this forbidden "accursed thing" is purged from their community.
After a devastating defeat at the small city of Ai, Joshua falls face down in despair. God rouses him, explaining that Israel’s failure stems directly from their disobedience: someone has stolen and hidden items devoted to destruction from Jericho, making the entire nation "devoted for destruction" themselves. God declares He will no longer be with them unless this forbidden "accursed thing" is purged from their community.
"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 yo…" — God's presence is withdrawn not just because of the sin, but because the people have become "devoted for destruction" by harboring it. This means the sin itself has made them susceptible to the very…
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Last reviewed October 2026
