Tyndale Open Study NotesJoshua 7

After Jericho became part of Israel, Joshua's first military task was to secure a position in the hill country. Conquering Jericho boosted Israel's confidence and left the people of Canaan feeling discouraged and without hope. However, everything depended on Israel's obedience to God. The sin of one man and its consequences show the importance of the command to destroy Jericho (see “Complete Dedication” Theme Note).

• things devoted to destruction: See Leviticus 27:28–29; 1 Samuel 15:3.

• son of Zerah: Achan was part of an important family. He was a leader or potential leader, so his actions could influence others (Numbers 26:19–20).

• As he did before the battle for Jericho, Joshua sent some of his men to assess the situation at Ai. This town was about 16 kilometers (10 miles) west of Jericho. It lay at the entrance to a plateau north of Jerusalem called the Plateau of Benjamin. If Israel captured Ai, it would gain control of the hill country.

• Beth-aven, which means “house of iniquity” (place of wrongdoing), was probably an intentional wordplay on the name Bethel, which means “house of God.” Later in Israel’s history, a pagan shrine stood at this site(1 Kings 12:28–33).

God’s gift of victory at Jericho seems to have led to complacency and overconfidence (a false sense of security). Joshua did not even ask God for guidance before he sent a small group of soldiers to Ai.

• Ai’s defenders left through the town gate and attacked Israel’s troops directly (see 8:5).

• as far as the quarries: This is a place not known from other sources.

Israel’s leaders tore their clothing and threw dust on their heads, common public gestures of grief or despair in the ancient Near East. By falling face down before the ark of the LORD, Joshua finally admitted that Israel needed God's guidance in the battle against Ai.

• Joshua spoke to God in anger. This helps explain the sharp tone of God’s reply (7:10–15). The battle was lost because of Achan’s sin. However, Joshua and Israel’s elders had also failed to ask God for guidance (7:3).

• Joshua did not truly believe that Israel should have stayed on the other side of the Jordan River. Instead, he used hyperbole (strong exaggeration) to show that he did not know what to do next.

• Joshua’s fears were realistic. All of Canaan had believed that Israel could not be defeated. However, because the small town of Ai defeated Israel, the Canaanites might think this could happen again.

• If God allowed the wicked to destroy his people completely, the nations would no longer have a witness. They would not see that God continues to be involved with his world.

• Your great name: Compare Exodus 32:11–12; Numbers 14:13–19.

Stand up!: God's command was short, severe, and seemed to lack sympathy. For Israel to again have God's favor, Joshua needed to act quickly and be decisive.

they themselves have been set apart for destruction: Through his individual sin, Achan made the entire nation of Israel liable to destruction.

Get up and consecrate the people: See study note on 3:5.

Israel’s 12 tribes were descendants of Jacob’s sons. A clan represented a smaller unit within the tribes; later, as Israel’s allotments in the land were distributed, a clan usually received possession of a town and its surrounding fields, forest, and pastureland. A man’s family included his sons and their dependents.

God had commanded that all stolen goods must be destroyed by fire. Now this command would be carried out, because Achan and everything he owned would be burned with fire. Breaking the covenant of the Lord (the binding agreement between God and his people) was treason (betrayal of loyalty) and a capital offense (a crime punished by death). For example, see Exodus 22:20; Deuteronomy 4:25–27.

Achan may have been identified through the use of the Urim and Thummim, a God-given method for casting sacred lots (objects used to seek God’s decision). These items remained in the care of the high priest, probably kept in a bag or pouch (see Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21). They may have been two objects of different colors, possibly stones or gems. People asked questions in a way that required a “yes” or “no” answer.

My son: This gentle and compassionate way of speaking shows Joshua as a caring leader. He felt sorrow for this young man, who was trapped by impulsive greed. Although Joshua and Achan both knew that Achan would die for his crime, Joshua urged him to repent. Achan responded with a full confession.

• They should have burned the cloak with the rest of Jericho’s goods. It came from Babylon, showing that long-distance trade was important in the ancient Near East.

• two hundred shekels of silver: Achan took pieces or piles of silver that others would use as money. They did not invent actual coins until the 600s BC.

• I coveted them: See the tenth commandment (Exodus 20:17). Achan’s desire for what he saw led him to steal.

Since the matter was urgent, Joshua sent messengers who ran to the tent to verify what Achan had confessed.

This careful list of Achan’s relatives and possessions, including the stolen items, has the tone of a legal statement. By taking the stolen items, Achan brought guilt on everything connected to him. For this reason, all were included in the judgment against him.

Stoning was a method of execution sometimes required by God's law (see, for example, Exodus 19:13).

God had a reason to be angry. God's people must be holy. Lack of respect for what belongs to God shows rebellion. This sin always causes trouble for God's people. Achan's sin caused disaster for Israel. So his severe punishment was fair.