Joshua 7:1-15
Achan's Hidden Sin
1The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.
2Meanwhile, Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.
3On returning to Joshua, they reported, “There is no need to send all the people; two or three thousand men are enough to go up and attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, you need not wear out all our people there.”
4So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of 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!
8O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?
9When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?”
10But the LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face?
11Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them, and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction. Indeed, they have stolen and lied, and they have put these things with their own possessions.
12This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction.
13Get up and consecrate the people, saying, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.
14In the morning you must present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe that the LORD selects shall come forward clan by clan, and the clan that the LORD selects shall come forward family by family, and the family that the LORD selects shall come forward man by man.
15The one who is caught with the things devoted to destruction must be burned, along with all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and committed an outrage in Israel.’”
Berean Standard Bible
Israel moves from Jericho toward Ai, a smaller place that appears easy to defeat. The spies advise Joshua to send only two or three thousand men. Israel goes up, but the men of Ai strike them and chase them from the gate. Thirty-six Israelites die, and the people's courage melts like water.
Joshua tears his clothes and falls before the ark. He asks why the LORD brought Israel across the Jordan only to hand them over to destruction. His prayer includes grief and concern for God's name among the nations. Joshua is not pretending that a failed battle is a minor inconvenience.
The LORD tells him to stand up. Israel has sinned by taking what was devoted, stealing, lying, and hiding the stolen things among its own possessions. The defeat is not explained by the strength of Ai. It is connected to a breach within Israel.
The LORD directs Joshua to bring the tribes forward and identify the guilty household. The people are not invited to guess or conduct a revenge search. God exposes the matter and calls Israel to remove what has brought the community under judgment.
How We Know
The passage belongs to a sustained historical and covenant record. Joshua records Israel's entry, settlement, and covenant life in continuity with Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Later books such as Judges and 1 Chronicles assume the people, land allotments, and places named here. Those internal cross-checks do not settle every archaeological question, but they show that Joshua 7:1-15 is part of a sustained historical and covenant record.
Questions
1 What happens when Israel attacks Ai?
AnswerThe men of Ai strike Israel, kill thirty-six men, and chase the remaining soldiers from the city gate.
2 How does Joshua respond to the defeat?
AnswerHe tears his clothes, falls before the ark, and grieves that Israel now appears vulnerable before its enemies.
3 What does the LORD say Israel has done?
AnswerIsrael has sinned by taking devoted things, stealing, lying, and hiding what was forbidden among its own possessions.
4 What must Joshua do next?
AnswerHe must consecrate the people and bring the tribes forward so the LORD can expose the person responsible.
What This Means for Us
Hidden wrongdoing rarely remains private in its consequences. A family or organization can lose courage and trust when someone treats a shared responsibility as an opportunity for secret gain.
This passage must not be used to accuse people without evidence or to punish an innocent person for another's sin. It calls us to honest examination, truthful confession, and responsible leadership when trust has been broken.
Prayer
Lord, expose the dishonesty we hide from one another and give us courage to confess without shifting blame. Help leaders seek truth carefully and protect the innocent while repairing what has been damaged. Amen.