Joshua 7:19-20
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Joshua’s gentle address, "My son," reveals that even as justice demands severe action, his heart still holds a father’s compassion, seeking Achan's true repentance over mere punishment. The command to "give glory to the LORD" is a profound call, asking Achan to affirm God's omniscience and righteousness by confessing his sin, rather than adding to his transgression with denial.
Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.” And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and this is what I did:
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a devastating defeat against a small city, the Israelites discover that God's presence has withdrawn from them because someone has stolen from the spoils of Jericho, which were meant to be devoted to God. Joshua, guided by God, uses a lot to identify Achan as the culprit, and now confronts him directly.
Why would Joshua ask Achan to 'give glory to God' when he had just been caught in a sinful act that brought shame? It sounds counterintuitive, but it's a profound theological point.
When Joshua urges Achan to "give glory to the LORD God of Israel," he's not just asking for a confession. He's asking Achan to acknowledge God's absolute sovereignty, His perfect knowledge, and His righteous judgment.
Joshua calls Achan 'my son.' This wasn't just a term of endearment; it reveals a crucial aspect of leadership and divine justice.
Joshua's address to Achan as 'my son' is striking, given the dire circumstances. It reveals a profound truth about God's leaders and God's heart:
Ask a follow-up
Achan's sin wasn't just his own; it had devastating consequences that rippled through the entire community. What does this tell us about disobedience?
The story of Achan is a stark reminder that sin rarely operates in isolation. It contaminates and troubles the entire community.
Understand the original words
ben · Hebrew Noun
A term of familial relationship or endearment, often used by a leader or superior to address someone under their authority or a younger person, implying a relational appeal for truthfulness and repentance.
kabod · Hebrew Noun
To ascribe honor, importance, and reverence to God, acknowledging His holiness, sovereignty, and supreme nature, especially in the context of confessing the truth.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
A Hebrew word used to refer to the self-existent, eternal, and covenant-keeping God, the personal name by which He revealed Himself to Israel.
todah · Hebrew Noun
An expression of gratitude, honor, and confession directed toward God, acknowledging His character and works, often associated with the act of revealing hidden truth to Him.
chata · Hebrew Verb
To miss the mark or fall short of the standard set by God's holiness and moral law, resulting in separation from Him and requiring repentance and atonement.
Joshua's compassionate yet firm confrontation of Achan highlights the tension between divine justice and mercy. The request for confession aims to bring glory to God by acknowledging His omniscience and justice, even as Achan faces severe judgment for disrupting the sacred conquest.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Jericho
The Israelites, led by Joshua, miraculously conquer the heavily fortified city of Jericho, the first major Canaanite city to fall. The city and everything in it are devoted to destruction as an act of obedience and judgment.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Achan's Sin
During the destruction of Jericho, Achan secretly takes a valuable Babylonian garment, silver, and gold, disobeying God's direct command not to take any plunder from the devoted city. He hides these items in his tent.
c. 1406 BC
Defeat at Ai
Following the victory at Jericho, the Israelites attempt to conquer the smaller city of Ai but are soundly defeated by its inhabitants, suffering significant casualties. This unexpected loss causes great distress and fear among the Israelite army.
c. 1406 BC
Discovery of Achan's Guilt
Joshua and the elders are devastated by the defeat. God reveals that the defeat is due to sin within the camp, and through the use of the lot, Achan is identified as the culprit.
c. 1406 BC
Judgment and Restoration
Joshua confronts Achan, who confesses his sin. Achan, his family, livestock, and possessions are taken to the Valley of Achor and stoned to death, and their belongings are burned. This act purges the sin from Israel, and God's presence is restored.
This passage uses the same phrase, 'give glory to the LORD,' as a solemn charge, urging confession and acknowledgment of God's power, showing the consistent biblical theme of giving God glory through honest confession.
John 9:24Here, the religious leaders also demand 'Give God the praise' from the formerly blind man, mirroring Joshua's command to Achan to confess and glorify God, highlighting the consistent New Testament echo of this Old Testament principle.
Proverbs 28:13This proverb directly states, 'Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them obtains mercy,' underscoring the divine wisdom behind Joshua's insistence on Achan's confession for any hope of reconciliation with God.
Luke 15:10Jesus' parable of the lost sheep emphasizes the great joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, illustrating the profound divine pleasure and glory that comes from a sinner's confession and return, just as Joshua sought from Achan.
Ezra 10:11The returned exiles were instructed to 'give glory to the God of Israel and separate yourselves from the peoples of the land,' demonstrating a parallel emphasis on acknowledging God and separating from sin to restore fellowship and honor Him.
calvinJoshua 7:19-26: "And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me."
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Vidi inter spolia pallium, Babylon…
clarkeJoshua 7:19: "And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me."
My son, give - glory to the Lord God - The person being now detected, Joshua wishes him to acknowledge the omniscience of God, and confess his crime. And doubtless this was designed, not only for the edification of the people, and a vindication of the righteous judgment of God, but in reference to his own s…
Joshua’s gentle address, "My son," reveals that even as justice demands severe action, his heart still holds a father’s compassion, seeking Achan's true repentance over mere punishment. The command to "give glory to the LORD" is a profound call, asking Achan to affirm God's omniscience and righteousness by confessing his sin, rather than adding to his transgression with denial.
After a devastating defeat against a small city, the Israelites discover that God's presence has withdrawn from them because someone has stolen from the spoils of Jericho, which were meant to be devoted to God. Joshua, guided by God, uses a lot to identify Achan as the culprit, and now confronts him directly.
After a devastating defeat against a small city, the Israelites discover that God's presence has withdrawn from them because someone has stolen from the spoils of Jericho, which were meant to be devoted to God. Joshua, guided by God, uses a lot to identify Achan as the culprit, and now confronts him directly.
"Then Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD God of Israel and give praise to him. And tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.” And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, a…" — Joshua’s gentle address, "My son," reveals that even as justice demands severe action, his heart still holds a father’s compassion, seeking Achan's true repentance over mere punishment. The command t…
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Last reviewed October 2026
