Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD, remaining there till evening. The elders of Israel did the same, and sprinkled dust on their heads. New Living Translation Joshua and the elders of Israel tore their clothing in dismay, threw dust on their heads, and bowed face down to the ground before the Ark of the LORD until evening. English Standard Version Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put dust on their heads. Berean Standard Bible Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads. Berean Literal Bible And Joshua tore his clothes and fell on his face to the earth before the face of the ark of YHWH until the evening, he and the elders of Israel, and they put dust on their heads. King James Bible And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. New King James Version Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. New American Standard Bible Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the ground on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. NASB 1995 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. NASB 1977 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. Legacy Standard Bible Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of Yahweh until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. Amplified Bible Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell face downward on the ground before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and [with great sorrow] they put dust on their heads. Berean Annotated Bible Then Joshua (YHWH saves) tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD {YHWH} until evening, as did the elders of Israel (he wrestles with God); and they all sprinkled dust on their heads. Christian Standard Bible Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; they all put dust on their heads. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell before the ark of the LORD with his face to the ground until evening, as did the elders of Israel; they all put dust on their heads.” American Standard Version And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of Jehovah until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust upon their heads. Contemporary English Version Joshua and the leaders of Israel tore their clothes and put dirt on their heads to show their sorrow. They lay facedown on the ground in front of the sacred chest until sunset. English Revised Version And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust upon their heads. GOD'S WORD® Translation Joshua and the leaders of Israel tore their clothes in grief. They put dust on their heads and bowed down to the ground in front of the LORD's ark. They stayed there until evening. Good News Translation Joshua and the leaders of Israel tore their clothes in grief, threw themselves to the ground before the LORD's Covenant Box, and lay there till evening, with dust on their heads to show their sorrow. International Standard Version At this, Joshua tore his clothes, fell down to the ground on his face before the ark of the LORD until evening—he and the leaders of Israel—and they covered their heads with dust. NET Bible Joshua tore his clothes; he and the leaders of Israel lay face down on the ground before the ark of the LORD until evening and threw dirt on their heads. New Heart English Bible Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. Webster's Bible Translation And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThen Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads. World English Bible Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before Yahweh’s ark until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Joshua tears his garments, and falls on his face to the earth before the Ark of YHWH until the evening, he and [the] elderly of Israel, and they cause dust to go up on their head. Berean Literal Bible And Joshua tore his clothes and fell on his face to the earth before the face of the ark of YHWH until the evening, he and the elders of Israel, and they put dust on their heads. Young's Literal Translation And Joshua rendeth his garments, and falleth on his face to the earth before the ark of Jehovah till the evening, he and the elders of Israel, and they cause dust to go up on their head. Smith's Literal Translation And Joshua will rend his garments and will fall upon his face to the earth before the ark of Jehovah even till evening, he and the old men of Israel; and they will lift up dust upon their heads. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut Josue rent his garments, and fell flat on the ground before the ark of the Lord until the evening, both he and all the ancients of Israel: and they put dust upon their heads. Catholic Public Domain Version And truly, Joshua tore his garments, and he fell prone on the ground before the ark of the Lord, even until evening, both he and all the elders of Israel. And they cast dust upon their heads. New American Bible Joshua, together with the elders of Israel, tore their garments and fell face down before the ark of the LORD until evening; and they threw dust on their heads. New Revised Standard Version Then Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the ground on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Yeshua ripped his clothes and he fell on his face on the Earth, and the Elders of Israel, before the ark of LORD JEHOVAH until that evening, and they cast dust on their heads OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust upon their heads. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Joshua tore his garments; and Joshua fell on the earth on his face before the Lord until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they cast dust on their heads. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Israel Defeated at Ai…5And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water. 6Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads. 7“O, Lord GOD,” Joshua said, “why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be destroyed? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!… Cross References Then Joshua tore his clothes 2 Samuel 1:11 Then David took hold of his own clothes and tore them, and all the men who were with him did the same. 2 Kings 22:11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes Esther 4:1 When Mordecai learned of all that had happened, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, wailing loudly and bitterly. and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD 1 Samuel 5:3 When the people of Ashdod got up early the next morning, there was Dagon, fallen on his face before the ark of the LORD. So they took Dagon and returned him to his place. Numbers 20:6 Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. 2 Chronicles 20:18 Then Jehoshaphat bowed facedown, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down before the LORD to worship Him. until evening, Judges 20:26 Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, where they sat weeping before the LORD. That day they fasted until evening and presented burnt offerings and peace offerings to the LORD. 2 Samuel 1:12 They mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the people of the LORD and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. Ezra 9:4 Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat there in horror until the evening offering. as did the elders of Israel; Exodus 24:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to the LORD—you and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of Israel’s elders—and you are to worship at a distance. Numbers 11:16-17 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. / And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself. 1 Samuel 4:3 When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.” and they all sprinkled dust on their heads. Lamentations 2:10 The elders of the Daughter of Zion sit on the ground in silence. They have thrown dust on their heads and put on sackcloth. The young women of Jerusalem have bowed their heads to the ground. Job 2:12 When they lifted up their eyes from afar, they could barely recognize Job. They began to weep aloud, and each man tore his robe and threw dust in the air over his head. 1 Samuel 4:12 That same day a Benjamite ran from the battle line all the way to Shiloh, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. Numbers 14:6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes Treasury of Scripture And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust on their heads. rent Genesis 37:29,34 And Reuben returned unto the pit; and, behold, Joseph was not in the pit; and he rent his clothes… Numbers 14:6 And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes: 2 Samuel 13:31 Then the king arose, and tare his garments, and lay on the earth; and all his servants stood by with their clothes rent. fell Numbers 16:22,45 And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation? … 2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. until the eventide Judges 20:23,26 (And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him.) … Judges 21:2 And the people came to the house of God, and abode there till even before God, and lifted up their voices, and wept sore; 2 Samuel 1:12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. 1 Samuel 4:12 And there ran a man of Benjamin out of the army, and came to Shiloh the same day with his clothes rent, and with earth upon his head. 2 Samuel 13:19 And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. Nehemiah 9:1 Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. Jump to Previous Ark Chiefs Clothes Dust Earth Elders Evening Eventide Heads Israel Joshua Remaining Rendeth Rent Sprinkled Threw ToreJump to Next Ark Chiefs Clothes Dust Earth Elders Evening Eventide Heads Israel Joshua Remaining Rendeth Rent Sprinkled Threw ToreJoshua 7 1. The Israelites are smitten at Ai6. Joshua's complaint 10. God instructs him what to do 16. Achan is taken by the lot 19. His confession 24. He and all he had are destroyed in the valley of Achor Then Joshua tore his clothes Tearing one's clothes was a traditional expression of grief, mourning, or distress in ancient Israelite culture. This act signifies Joshua's deep anguish and repentance after Israel's defeat at Ai. It reflects a common biblical practice seen in other instances, such as when Jacob believed Joseph was dead (Genesis 37:34) and when King Hezekiah heard the blasphemies of the Assyrian king (2 Kings 19:1). and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening as did the elders of Israel and they all sprinkled dust on their heads Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel after Moses, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. His tearing of clothes and prostration signify deep distress and humility before God. 2. Elders of Israel Leaders among the Israelites who joined Joshua in mourning, indicating a collective leadership response to the crisis. 3. Ark of the LORD The sacred chest representing God's presence among His people. Joshua and the elders prostrate before it, seeking divine guidance and forgiveness. 4. Tearing of Clothes A traditional expression of grief, repentance, or distress in ancient Israelite culture. 5. Putting Dust on Their Heads Another cultural expression of mourning and humility, symbolizing repentance and acknowledgment of human frailty. Teaching Points Humility Before GodJoshua's actions remind us of the importance of approaching God with humility, especially in times of failure or crisis. Collective Leadership Responsibility The involvement of the elders highlights the need for leaders to unite in seeking God's guidance and forgiveness for the community. Cultural Expressions of Repentance Understanding the cultural context of mourning and repentance can deepen our appreciation for biblical accounts and their applications today. Seeking God's Presence The focus on the Ark of the LORD underscores the necessity of seeking God's presence and guidance in times of trouble. Repentance and Restoration The act of mourning and repentance is a precursor to seeking restoration and moving forward in God's plan. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 7:6?2. How does Joshua 7:6 demonstrate the importance of humility before God in prayer? 3. What can we learn from Joshua's response to failure in Joshua 7:6? 4. How does Joshua 7:6 connect to other biblical examples of repentance? 5. How should we respond when facing setbacks, as seen in Joshua 7:6? 6. What role does seeking God's guidance play in overcoming challenges, according to Joshua 7:6? 7. Why did Joshua tear his clothes and fall facedown in Joshua 7:6? 8. What does Joshua 7:6 reveal about leadership in times of crisis? 9. How does Joshua 7:6 reflect the Israelites' relationship with God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 7? 11. Who was Achan and what were the accursed things? 12. Who was Achan in the Bible? 13. How are Joshua and Jesus similar? 14. In Hosea 6:7, is the reference to 'Adam' a historical anachronism, and can it be confirmed or disproven archeologically? What Does Joshua 7:6 Mean Joshua tore his clothes– An outward sign of deep grief and shock, practiced when disaster struck (Genesis 37:34; Job 1:20). – Joshua realizes that Israel’s unexpected defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:4–5) signals a broken relationship with God. – The gesture confesses, “Something is terribly wrong; we need God’s mercy.” He fell facedown before the ark of the LORD – Face-down posture expresses humility and urgent dependence (Numbers 14:5; Revelation 7:11). – By coming to the ark—the visible symbol of God’s presence (Exodus 25:22)—Joshua seeks answers where God meets His people. – This places responsibility on Israel, not on God’s faithfulness. He stayed until evening – Hours of prayer, weeping, and silence show perseverance, not a quick, casual request (Judges 20:26; 2 Samuel 1:12). – Waiting until evening invites God to search hearts and reveal hidden sin, preparing Joshua to hear the Lord’s diagnosis in verses 10-12. – It models patient leadership: problems rooted in sin require time in God’s presence, not instant fixes. The elders joined in – Israel’s leaders shoulder the crisis with Joshua (Numbers 11:16-17). – Their participation acknowledges corporate responsibility; the nation sinned as one body even though Achan alone stole the devoted things. – United humility prepares the whole community for God’s corporate correction (Acts 4:31 shows a similar united approach in prayer). They sprinkled dust on their heads – Dust on the head is an ancient symbol of mourning and repentance (1 Samuel 4:12; Job 2:12; Lamentations 2:10). – It confesses unworthiness: “From dust we came, to dust we return” (Genesis 3:19). – The act dramatizes a heart posture of lowliness, making room for God’s exaltation of the repentant (James 4:10). summary Joshua 7:6 records Israel’s leadership responding to defeat with visible, prolonged, united repentance. Tearing clothes, falling facedown before the ark, remaining until evening, involving all the elders, and covering themselves with dust—each action underscores grief over sin and dependence on the Lord. The verse teaches that when God’s people experience setback, the first and essential step is humble, persistent seeking of God’s presence, ready for Him to expose sin and restore covenant blessing. (6) Joshua rent his clothes . . .--The words of Joshua and his behaviour on this occasion are consistent with all that we read of him, and confirm the notion that he was not a man of a naturally daring and adventurous spirit, but inclined to distrust his own powers; and yet utterly indomitable and unflinching in the discharge of his duty--a man of moral rather than physical courage.Verse 6. - And Joshua rent his clothes. A token of grief usual among the Jews (see Genesis 37:29, 84; 44:13, etc. Knobel cites Leviticus 21:10); and though Joshua was not the high priest, yet from his peculiar position he might be expected to adopt somewhat of the high priest's demeanour, and at least not to display this outward sign of grief without the strongest reason. The words "before the ark" are omitted in the LXX. And put dust on their heads. A sign of still more abject humiliation. The head, the noblest part of man, was thus placed beneath the dust of the ground from whence he was taken (see 1 Samuel 4:12; 2 Samuel 1:2; 2 Samuel 13:19; 2 Samuel 15:32; 1 Kings 20:38; Job 2:12; Lamentations 2:10). It was a common custom among the Greeks. (See Lucian, De Luetu, 12). Homer mentions the custom (Iliad, 18). Pope's translation runs thus: -"Cast on the ground, with furious hands he spread Hebrew Then Joshuaיְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites tore וַיִּקְרַ֨ע (way·yiq·ra‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7167: To rend his clothes שִׂמְלֹתָ֗יו (śim·lō·ṯāw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 8071: A dress, a mantle and fell וַיִּפֹּל֩ (way·yip·pōl) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5307: To fall, lie facedown לִפְנֵ֨י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face before פָּנָ֨יו (pā·nāw) Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6440: The face the ark אֲר֤וֹן (’ă·rō·wn) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 727: A chest, ark of the LORD יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel until עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while evening, הָעֶ֔רֶב (hā·‘e·reḇ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6153: Evening as did the elders וְזִקְנֵ֣י (wə·ziq·nê) Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 2205: Old of Israel; יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc and they all sprinkled וַיַּעֲל֥וּ (way·ya·‘ă·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively dust עָפָ֖ר (‘ā·p̄ār) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 6083: Dust, clay, earth, mud on עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against their heads. רֹאשָֽׁם׃ (rō·šām) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 7218: The head Links Joshua 7:6 NIVJoshua 7:6 NLT Joshua 7:6 ESV Joshua 7:6 NASB Joshua 7:6 KJV Joshua 7:6 BibleApps.com Joshua 7:6 Biblia Paralela Joshua 7:6 Chinese Bible Joshua 7:6 French Bible Joshua 7:6 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 7:6 Joshua tore his clothes and fell (Josh. 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