For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Joshua’s deepest concern isn't for Israel's survival, but for God's reputation. He knows the surrounding nations will not only wipe out Israel but will also use it as an opportunity to mock and question God's power and faithfulness.
For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After a stunning victory at Jericho, the Israelites suffer a shocking defeat at the small city of Ai, losing about thirty-six men and fleeing in terror. Joshua and the elders fall prostrate before God, devastated and confused, with Joshua pleading that this disgrace would cause the surrounding nations to mock God's power and faithfulness.
When Israel failed, it wasn't just their own future at stake. Joshua's desperate plea reveals a profound truth about how national failure impacts God's standing in the world.
Joshua, facing utter defeat at Ai, cries out to God, not just about his people's impending destruction, but about the damage to God's own reputation.
A Public Spectacle
Joshua understands that the surrounding nations are watching. This defeat isn't a private matter; it's a public spectacle. If Israel, God's chosen people, is wiped out, the Canaanites and other inhabitants of the land won't just see it as a military loss. They'll see it as a failure of the God who brought them there. "For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it..."
The Shame of God's Name
Joshua's question, "And what will you do for your great name?" is a bold, wrestling prayer. He's essentially saying, 'If my people are destroyed, what will the pagans say about you, God? Will they mock your power? Will they doubt your promises? Will they believe you are unable to save your own people?' This is about divine honor. God's faithfulness and power are on display through Israel, and their downfall would be a public humiliation for God Himself.
Achan's secret sin led to a public disaster. Discover how one person's disobedience can jeopardize an entire community and, more importantly, God's mission.
The defeat at Ai wasn't just bad luck or poor strategy; it was the direct result of Achan's sin. This verse, following the narrative of Achan's theft of forbidden plunder from Jericho, highlights a critical principle.
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The Ripple Effect of Disobedience
Calvin points out that Achan's "private and hidden crime" had consequences for the whole people. While the exact reasons for God holding the entire nation accountable are deep, one clear takeaway is that sin doesn't stay contained. Achan's act of taking what was devoted to God broke the covenant and brought God's anger upon Israel. This anger manifested as military defeat.
Undermining God's Plan
Joshua's fear isn't just for his soldiers' lives but for the entire mission God had given them. If they are destroyed by the Canaanites, the conquest of the land—God's promise to Abraham and his descendants—will be halted. Achan's sin, therefore, directly threatened the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and His establishment of His people in the land.
Understand the original words
shem · Hebrew Noun
In the biblical context, the 'name' represents the person's reputation, character, and authority. God's 'great name' refers to His manifest glory, reputation among the nations, and the honor of His divine character.
This defeat was not merely a military setback, but a crisis that threatened the ongoing covenant relationship with God and the reputation of His name among the surrounding nations. Joshua's fear was that the Canaanites would not only destroy Israel physically but would also mock God's power and faithfulness, leading them to doubt His ability to fulfill His promises.
~1400 BC
Israel Conquers Jericho
Following God's miraculous instructions, the Israelites successfully conquered the fortified city of Jericho, a pivotal victory at the entrance to the Promised Land.
~1400 BC— this verse
Achan's Sin and Theft
Despite God's command to set aside plunder from Jericho as devoted to Him, Achan secretly took a valuable cloak, silver, and gold, bringing sin and impurity into the Israelite camp.
~1400 BC
Israel's Defeat at Ai
Due to Achan's sin, the Israelite army suffered a humiliating defeat when attacking the smaller city of Ai, losing about thirty-six men and scattering in panic.
~1400 BC
Joshua's Plea and God's Response
Joshua and the elders mourned, and Joshua cried out to God, questioning why they were brought into the land only to be defeated. God reveals the sin of Achan and commands its punishment.
~1400 BC
Punishment of Achan and his Household
Achan, his family, and his stolen goods were taken to the Valley of Achor, where they were stoned and burned as a sacrifice to appease God's wrath and cleanse Israel from sin.
~1400 BC
Second Attack and Conquest of Ai
After the sin was purged, God instructed Joshua to attack Ai again. This time, Israel was victorious, capturing and destroying the city and its king.
Moses uses a similar argument when the people worship the golden calf, asking God what the Egyptians will think if He destroys His people who He brought out of Egypt. This highlights the recurring concern for God's reputation among the nations.
Numbers 14:13-16When the Israelites rebelled after the scouting report, Moses pleaded with God by asking how He would uphold His great name among the nations if He were to destroy His chosen people. This passage shows the same fear of national shame for God's honor.
Deuteronomy 32:26-27In Moses' final song, he reflects on God's own expressed concern about scattering Israel, not wanting enemies to boast that they themselves had overcome the Lord. This reinforces the idea that Israel's fate is tied to God's reputation.
Psalm 83:4This psalm describes enemies plotting to wipe out Israel's name and memory. It echoes Joshua's fear that the surrounding nations might succeed in completely erasing the people of God.
Isaiah 48:11God declares He will not give His glory to another, showing His supreme concern for His own name and honor. This is the divine counterpart to Joshua's plea, affirming that God's own reputation is a primary motivator for His actions.
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…
gillJoshua 7:9: "For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?"
For the Canaanites,.... Those that dwell on the east and on the west of the land, see Joshua 11:3 ; who were one of the seven nations: and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it; of this defeat; not only the Amorites, among whom they now were, and the Canaanites before mentioned, but the Hitti…
Joshua’s deepest concern isn't for Israel's survival, but for God's reputation. He knows the surrounding nations will not only wipe out Israel but will also use it as an opportunity to mock and question God's power and faithfulness.
After a stunning victory at Jericho, the Israelites suffer a shocking defeat at the small city of Ai, losing about thirty-six men and fleeing in terror. Joshua and the elders fall prostrate before God, devastated and confused, with Joshua pleading that this disgrace would cause the surrounding nations to mock God's power and faithfulness.
After a stunning victory at Jericho, the Israelites suffer a shocking defeat at the small city of Ai, losing about thirty-six men and fleeing in terror. Joshua and the elders fall prostrate before God, devastated and confused, with Joshua pleading that this disgrace would cause the surrounding nations to mock God's power and faithfulness.
"For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?”" — Joshua’s deepest concern isn't for Israel's survival, but for God's reputation. He knows the surrounding nations will not only wipe out Israel but will also use it as an opportunity to mock and quest…
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Last reviewed October 2026