And he had the family of Zabdi come forward man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was selected. And he brought forwardThis phrase indicates a deliberate and methodical process. The Hebrew root here is "qarab," which means to draw near or present. This reflects the solemnity and seriousness of the situation, as Joshua is conducting a divine inquiry to identify the transgressor. The process underscores the importance of accountability within the community of Israel, emphasizing that sin affects not just the individual but the entire community. his household
The term "household" refers to the family unit, which in ancient Israel was the basic social and economic unit. The Hebrew word "bayith" encompasses not just immediate family but extended family and servants. This highlights the collective nature of identity and responsibility in Israelite society, where the actions of one member could bring consequences upon the entire household. man by man
This phrase suggests a meticulous and personal examination. The Hebrew "ish" for "man" emphasizes individuality within the collective. It reflects the biblical principle that while communities are judged, individuals are accountable for their actions. This process of selection underscores the gravity of sin and the need for personal integrity. and Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah
The naming of Achan's lineage serves multiple purposes. It identifies him clearly, leaving no doubt about his identity. The mention of his ancestors, "Carmi, Zabdi, Zerah," ties him to a specific heritage within the tribe of Judah. This lineage is significant because it connects Achan to the broader narrative of Israel's history and God's promises to the tribes. It also serves as a reminder that one's actions can either honor or dishonor one's family and heritage. of the tribe of Judah
Judah was one of the most prominent tribes of Israel, known for its leadership and strength. The Hebrew "Yehudah" means "praise," and this tribe was destined for leadership, as seen in the blessing of Jacob in Genesis 49:10. Achan's sin is particularly grievous because it tarnishes the reputation of a tribe destined for greatness and leadership among the Israelites. was selected
The selection of Achan is the culmination of the process. The Hebrew "lakad" means to capture or seize, indicating that this was not a random choice but a divinely guided identification. This selection serves as a sobering reminder of God's omniscience and justice. It illustrates the biblical truth that hidden sins will eventually be brought to light, and divine justice will prevail. This moment is a call to repentance and holiness, urging believers to live transparently before God. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel, who succeeded Moses and led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is responsible for seeking out the sin in the camp. 2. AchanA member of the tribe of Judah who disobeyed God's command by taking forbidden items from Jericho, leading to Israel's defeat at Ai. 3. Carmi, Zabdi, ZerahAncestors of Achan, indicating his lineage within the tribe of Judah. 4. Tribe of JudahOne of the twelve tribes of Israel, known for its significant role in Israel's history and the lineage of King David and Jesus Christ. 5. The Selection ProcessA divinely guided process to identify the individual responsible for Israel's defeat, highlighting God's involvement in revealing sin. Teaching Points The Seriousness of SinAchan's account illustrates that sin, even when hidden, has serious consequences not only for the individual but for the entire community. The Importance of ObedienceGod's commands are to be followed completely. Partial obedience or disobedience can lead to dire consequences. God's OmniscienceGod knows all things, including hidden sins. This should encourage believers to live transparently and in accordance with His will. Community AccountabilityThe sin of one can affect many. This underscores the importance of accountability within the body of Christ. Repentance and RestorationWhile Achan's account ends tragically, it serves as a reminder of the need for repentance and the possibility of restoration through confession and turning back to God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Achan challenge us to examine our own lives for hidden sins? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are fully obedient to God's commands in our daily lives? 3. How does the process of identifying Achan's sin demonstrate God's justice and mercy? 4. What steps can we take to foster accountability within our Christian communities to prevent the spread of sin? 5. How can the account of Achan encourage us to seek repentance and restoration when we fall short? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 15The account of King Saul's disobedience parallels Achan's sin, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commands. Proverbs 28:13This verse speaks to the consequences of concealing sin and the blessing of confession, directly relating to Achan's hidden sin and its exposure. Acts 5:1-11The account of Ananias and Sapphira in the New Testament mirrors Achan's account, showing the seriousness of deceit and disobedience in the community of believers. People Achan, Amorites, Canaanites, Carmi, Israelites, Joshua, Zabdi, Zarhites, Zerah, Zerahites, ZimriPlaces Ai, Beth-aven, Bethel, Jericho, Jordan River, Shebarim, Shinar, Valley of AchorTopics Achan, Bringeth, Captured, Carmi, Caused, Family, Forward, Household, Judah, Selected, Tribe, Zabdi, Zerah, ZimriDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 7:1-26 6173 guilt, and God
8479 self-examination, examples Joshua 7:11-26 8716 dishonesty, examples Joshua 7:14-18 5671 clan Library Achan's Sin, Israel's Defeat
'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. 2. And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-ei, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai. 3. And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureWhether one Can, Without a Mortal Sin, Deny the Truth which Would Lead to One's Condemnation?
Objection 1: It would seem one can, without a mortal sin, deny the truth which would lead to one's condemnation. For Chrysostom says (Hom. xxxi super Ep. ad Heb.): "I do not say that you should lay bare your guilt publicly, nor accuse yourself before others." Now if the accused were to confess the truth in court, he would lay bare his guilt and be his own accuser. Therefore he is not bound to tell the truth: and so he does not sin mortally if he tell a lie in court. Objection 2: Further, just as …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Contention Over the Man Born Blind.
(Jerusalem.) ^D John IX. 1-41. [Some look upon the events in this and the next section as occurring at the Feast of Tabernacles in October, others think they occurred at the Feast of Dedication in December, deriving their point of time from John x. 22.] ^d 1 And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. [The man probably sought to waken compassion by repeatedly stating this fact to passers-by.] 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel The Eighth Commandment
Thou shalt not steal.' Exod 20: 15. AS the holiness of God sets him against uncleanness, in the command Thou shalt not commit adultery;' so the justice of God sets him against rapine and robbery, in the command, Thou shalt not steal.' The thing forbidden in this commandment, is meddling with another man's property. The civil lawyers define furtum, stealth or theft to be the laying hands unjustly on that which is another's;' the invading another's right. I. The causes of theft. [1] The internal causes …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Confession of Sin --A Sermon with Seven Texts
The Hardened Sinner. PHARAOH--"I have sinned."--Exodus 9:27. I. The first case I shall bring before you is that of the HARDENED SINNER, who, when under terror, says, "I have sinned." And you will find the text in the book of Exodus, the 9th chap. and 27th verse: "And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked." But why this confession from the lips of the haughty tyrant? He was not often wont to …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857 Restraining Prayer: is it Sin?
"Thou restrainest prayer before God."--JOB xv. 4. "What profit should we have, if we pray unto Him?"--JOB xxi. 15. "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you."--1 SAM. xii. 23. "Neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you."--JOSH. vii. 12. Any deep quickening of the spiritual life of the Church will always be accompanied by a deeper sense of sin. This will not begin with theology; that can only give expression to what God works …
Andrew Murray—The Ministry of Intercession The Practice of Piety in Glorifying God in the Time of Sickness, and when Thou Art Called to Die in the Lord.
As soon as thou perceivest thyself to be visited with any sickness, meditate with thyself: 1. That "misery cometh not forth of the dust; neither doth affliction spring out of the earth." Sickness comes not by hap or chance (as the Philistines supposed that their mice and emrods came, 1 Sam. vi. 9), but from man's wickedness, which, as sparkles, breaketh out. "Man suffereth," saith Jeremiah, "for his sins." "Fools," saith David, "by reason of their transgressions, and because of their iniquities, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Exposition of the Moral Law.
1. The Law was committed to writing, in order that it might teach more fully and perfectly that knowledge, both of God and of ourselves, which the law of nature teaches meagrely and obscurely. Proof of this, from an enumeration of the principal parts of the Moral Law; and also from the dictate of natural law, written on the hearts of all, and, in a manner, effaced by sin. 2. Certain general maxims. 1. From the knowledge of God, furnished by the Law, we learn that God is our Father and Ruler. Righteousness …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Of a Private Fast.
That we may rightly perform a private fast, four things are to be observed:--First, The author; Secondly, The time and occasion; Thirdly, The manner; Fourthly, The ends of private fasting. 1. Of the Author. The first that ordained fasting was God himself in paradise; and it was the first law that God made, in commanding Adam to abstain from eating the forbidden fruit. God would not pronounce nor write his law without fasting (Lev. xxiii), and in his law commands all his people to fast. So does our …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Beth-El. Beth-Aven.
Josephus thus describes the land of Benjamin; "The Benjamites' portion of land was from the river Jordan to the sea, in length: in breadth, it was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." Let these last words be marked, "The breadth of the land of Benjamin was bounded by Jerusalem and Beth-el." May we not justly conclude, from these words, that Jerusalem and Beth-el were opposite, as it were, in a right line? But if you look upon the maps, there are some that separate these by a very large tract of land, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica The Covenant of Works
Q-12: I proceed to the next question, WHAT SPECIAL ACT OF PROVIDENCE DID GOD EXERCISE TOWARDS MAN IN THE ESTATE WHEREIN HE WAS CREATED? A: When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him upon condition of perfect obedience, forbidding him to eat of the tree of knowledge upon pain of death. For this, consult with Gen 2:16, 17: And the Lord commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Holiness of God
The next attribute is God's holiness. Exod 15:51. Glorious in holiness.' Holiness is the most sparkling jewel of his crown; it is the name by which God is known. Psa 111:1. Holy and reverend is his name.' He is the holy One.' Job 6:60. Seraphims cry, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory.' Isa 6:6. His power makes him mighty, his holiness makes him glorious. God's holiness consists in his perfect love of righteousness, and abhorrence of evil. Of purer eyes than …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Second Great Group of Parables.
(Probably in Peræa.) Subdivision F. Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. ^C Luke XVI. 19-31. [The parable we are about to study is a direct advance upon the thoughts in the previous section. We may say generally that if the parable of the unjust steward teaches how riches are to be used, this parable sets forth the terrible consequences of a failure to so use them. Each point of the previous discourse is covered in detail, as will be shown by the references in the discussion of the parable.] …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Joshua
The book of Joshua is the natural complement of the Pentateuch. Moses is dead, but the people are on the verge of the promised land, and the story of early Israel would be incomplete, did it not record the conquest of that land and her establishment upon it. The divine purpose moves restlessly on, until it is accomplished; so "after the death of Moses, Jehovah spake to Joshua," i. 1. The book falls naturally into three divisions: (a) the conquest of Canaan (i.-xii.), (b) the settlement of the …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Joshua 7:18 NIVJoshua 7:18 NLTJoshua 7:18 ESVJoshua 7:18 NASBJoshua 7:18 KJV
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