← Back to Joshua

Joshua 7

26 verses

TL;DR

Achan’s sin of stealing from Jericho’s spoils brings divine judgment, but God’s command to remove the transgressor restores Israel’s ability to fight.

Summary

After the Israelites’ defeat at Jericho, Joshua discovers that Achan, a member of Judah, secretly took holy spoils, causing God’s anger. Joshua laments the loss and pleads with God, but the Lord declares that Israel can only stand against enemies once the guilty are removed. God orders Achan and his entire household to be burned, and the people execute the judgment with stones and fire. The spoils are recovered and presented before the LORD, and the valley where Achan is stoned becomes known as Achor. The chapter concludes with the removal of the sin, the cessation of God’s anger, and the remembrance of the place as a warning.

Outline
  1. Sin at Jericho caused by Achan’s theft
  2. Joshua’s lament and God’s command to eliminate the guilty
  3. Execution of Achan and restoration of Israel’s faith
Themes
Sin and judgmentDivine holiness and obedienceConsequences of disobedience
Keywords
sinjudgmentobedienceIsraelAchanJerichovalley of Achorspoilcovenant
People
JoshuaAchanCarmiZabdiZerahJudahIsraelElders of Israel
Places
JerichoAiBethavenBethelShebarimValley of AchorJordan
Things
accursed thingspoil of JerichoBabylonish garment200 shekels of silver50 shekel gold wedgeArk of the LORDstonesfire
Key Verses
  • Joshua 7:1: Identifies Achan’s theft that sparked divine wrath.
  • Joshua 7:12: God’s instruction to remove the guilty for Israel to stand.
  • Joshua 7:20-21: Achan’s confession and admission of sin.
  • Joshua 7:25: The Israelites carry out the judgment by stoning Achan.
  • Joshua 7:26: The burial of Achan, ending the Lord’s anger.
Questions
  • What does Achan’s sin reveal about Israel’s relationship with the covenant?
  • How does the community’s response to judgment demonstrate collective responsibility?
  • What is the significance of the valley of Achor’s name for future Israelite memory?
  • In what ways does Joshua’s lament reflect human humility before divine justice?
  • How does the removal of the accursed thing restore Israel’s confidence in battle?
Sentiment

negative
chapter contains lament, divine anger, and judgment, though it concludes with the removal of sin and the end of God's wrath.