Joshua 7:16

KJV

¶ So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:

KJV (with Strong's)

So Joshua {H3091} rose up early {H7925} in the morning {H1242}, and brought {H7126} Israel {H3478} by their tribes {H7626}; and the tribe {H7626} of Judah {H3063} was taken {H3920}:

Complete Jewish Bible

So Y'hoshua got up early in the morning and had Isra'el come forward, one tribe at a time; and the tribe of Y'hudah was taken.

Berean Standard Bible

So Joshua arose early the next morning and had Israel come forward tribe by tribe, and the tribe of Judah was selected.

American Standard Version

So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel near by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 7:16 meticulously records the crucial initial phase in identifying the individual responsible for Israel's humiliating defeat at Ai, following God's direct revelation of a hidden sin within the covenant community. After a devastating loss, Joshua demonstrates prompt and diligent obedience by rising early to initiate the divinely prescribed process of elimination, beginning with the solemn selection of the tribe of Judah. This verse marks the commencement of God's methodical exposure of the "accursed thing," powerfully underscoring His unwavering commitment to holiness, justice, and the purity of His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 7:16 is strategically positioned immediately after Israel's unexpected and devastating defeat at Ai, a stark and humbling contrast to their miraculous victory at Jericho. The preceding verses, specifically [Joshua 7:1-5](/joshua/7-1-5 "Joshua 7:1-5 - Achan's Transgression and Israel's Defeat"), detail Achan's transgression—taking forbidden plunder from Jericho—and the subsequent divine judgment that led to Israel's rout. Joshua's profound lament and intercession in [Joshua 7:6-9](/joshua/7-6-9 "Joshua 7:6-9 - Joshua's Lament and Intercession") are met with God's direct and stern revelation in [Joshua 7:10-15](/joshua/7-10-15 "Joshua 7:10-15 - God's Instructions to Joshua"), which identifies the problem as an "accursed thing" in the camp and outlines a precise, step-by-step procedure for identifying the guilty party: by tribe, then by family, then by household, and finally, the individual. Verse 16 initiates the practical execution of this divine command, demonstrating Joshua's immediate, diligent, and obedient response to God's instructions.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of *herem*, or "devoted things," is absolutely central to understanding the gravity of Achan's sin. In ancient Israelite warfare, certain cities or spoils were sometimes designated for complete destruction or dedication to God, meaning they were utterly forbidden for human appropriation. Violating *herem* was not merely theft; it was an act of sacrilege, a direct affront to God's holiness, His sovereign claim over the spoils of war, and a breach of covenant. The method of identifying the culprit—by lot or divine selection—was a recognized and sacred practice in ancient Israel for discerning God's will or uncovering hidden truths, as evidenced in other biblical narratives like the selection of Saul as king in [1 Samuel 10:20-21](/1_samuel/10-20-21 "1 Samuel 10:20-21 - Saul Chosen by Lot") or the identification of Jonah in [Jonah 1:7](/jonah/1-7 "Jonah 1:7 - Jonah Identified by Lot"). This divinely guided process underscored the profound belief that God was actively involved in the affairs of His people, revealing what was hidden to maintain their covenant purity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several enduring and critical themes. Firstly, **Divine Revelation and Justice** are paramount; God's omniscience is demonstrated as He not only knows the sin but actively guides the precise process of its exposure and the subsequent administration of justice within His community. Secondly, the principle of **Corporate Responsibility** is vividly displayed; the sin of one individual, Achan, brought dire consequences upon the entire community of Israel, leading to military defeat and divine disfavor, as clearly stated in [Joshua 7:1](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1 - Achan's Transgression and Corporate Guilt"). This highlights the profound interconnectedness of God's covenant people and the communal impact of individual sin. Lastly, **Obedience and Diligence** are exemplified in Joshua's immediate and early morning response to God's command, setting a powerful precedent for leadership that prioritizes divine instructions, even when faced with difficult, sensitive, and potentially unpopular tasks.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **rose up early (Hebrew, _shâkam'_):** From H7925, this verb signifies rising early in the morning, often implying diligence, urgency, and a readiness to act. Throughout the biblical narrative, "rising early" frequently characterizes individuals committed to fulfilling a task, especially one of divine importance or solemn duty. In this context, it powerfully underscores Joshua's immediate and unhesitating obedience to God's instructions, demonstrating his resolve to address the sin that had brought judgment upon Israel. It conveys a profound sense of purpose and a lack of procrastination in dealing with a severe spiritual crisis, highlighting his commitment to restoring God's favor.
* **was taken (Hebrew, _lâkad'_):** From H3920, this word means "to catch," "to seize," or "to be chosen." While the specific mechanism (e.g., casting lots) is not explicitly stated in this verse, the passive voice "was taken" strongly implies a divinely guided process rather than a human decision or random chance. In ancient Israel, lots were a common means by which God's will was discerned or a guilty party identified, as seen when Jonathan was identified after violating Saul's oath in [1 Samuel 14:41-42](/1_samuel/14-41-42 "1 Samuel 14:41-42 - Saul and Jonathan, Casting Lots"). The use of *lâkad* here suggests that the selection of Judah was not arbitrary but the direct result of God's active involvement in revealing the hidden sin, narrowing the search with divine precision and unerring accuracy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Joshua rose up early in the morning":** This clause emphasizes Joshua's prompt and diligent response to God's command. After a night of lament, intercession, and receiving specific divine instruction, Joshua does not delay but immediately initiates the solemn and weighty process of identifying the sinner. His early rising signifies his unwavering commitment to rectifying the spiritual breach and restoring God's favor and blessing to Israel, setting an example of decisive leadership.
* **"and brought Israel by their tribes":** This describes the first, broad stage of the divinely ordained procedure. Joshua gathers the entire nation, meticulously organized according to their tribal divisions, to begin the systematic process of elimination. This public assembly underscores the corporate nature of the sin and the communal impact of its discovery, highlighting that the entire community was affected and thus needed to participate in the purification. It also emphasizes the meticulous and orderly nature of God's justice.
* **"and the tribe of Judah was taken":** This marks the initial successful step in the identification process. Through a method divinely guided (likely by lot, though not explicitly stated, the passive voice "was taken" strongly implies divine agency), the tribe of Judah is singled out from among the twelve tribes. This dramatically narrows the scope of the investigation, setting the stage for the subsequent identification of the specific family, household, and ultimately, the individual within Judah responsible for bringing the "accursed thing" into the camp.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Joshua 7:16 employs several potent literary devices to enhance its impact and convey its theological depth. **Foreshadowing** is evident as the selection of the tribe of Judah immediately narrows the focus, implicitly pointing towards Achan, who is from this very tribe, without explicitly naming him yet. This creates significant narrative tension and anticipation, drawing the reader deeper into the unfolding drama of divine judgment. The phrase "was taken" implies **Divine Guidance**, serving as a subtle form of **Theophany** or divine intervention, where God directly orchestrates the outcome of the lot-casting or selection process. This powerfully reinforces His active, intimate involvement in Israel's affairs and His unwavering commitment to revealing hidden sin. Furthermore, the meticulous, step-by-step process of identification, beginning with the tribes, demonstrates a deliberate **Narrative Pace** that builds suspense and underscores the solemnity and gravity of the investigation into the "accursed thing" and the methodical, unyielding nature of divine justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 7:16 serves as a stark and profound reminder of God's absolute holiness and His unyielding demand for purity within His covenant people. The humiliating defeat at Ai was not due to military weakness or tactical error but rather spiritual defilement, demonstrating unequivocally that God's presence, power, and blessing are contingent upon obedience and the swift removal of anything that defiles His name or breaks His covenant. This verse initiates the painful but necessary process of purification, highlighting that God will not tolerate sin in His midst and will actively expose it for the sake of His people's well-being, their corporate integrity, and His own glorious reputation. It underscores the profound truth that individual sin can have devastating corporate consequences, necessitating a communal response to restore righteousness and unbroken fellowship with a holy God.

* [Deuteronomy 29:18-20](/deuteronomy/29-18-20 "Corporate Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Confession, Forgiveness, and Prosperity")
* [Acts 5:1-11](/acts/5-1-11 "Ananias and Sapphira's Deception and Divine Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 7:16 calls believers to a profound and searching reflection on the seriousness of sin, both individual and corporate, within the community of faith. Just as Achan's hidden transgression brought defeat and divine disfavor upon an entire nation, so too can unconfessed sin in our personal lives or unaddressed sin within our communities hinder spiritual progress, quench the Spirit's work, and invite divine discipline. This verse challenges us to cultivate a life of radical transparency and unwavering integrity before God, understanding that absolutely nothing is hidden from His omniscient sight. Joshua's prompt and diligent obedience in rising early to address the sin serves as a powerful and convicting example of diligence and urgency in spiritual matters. It reminds us that when God reveals an area of sin or disobedience, whether personally, within our families, or corporately within our churches, our response must be swift, decisive, and thorough, prioritizing holiness, repentance, and the restoration of right relationship with Him. The spiritual health, vitality, and purity of the collective body—whether family, church, or broader community of believers—is deeply and inextricably intertwined with the individual righteousness and integrity of its members.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might there be "hidden things" or unconfessed sin that could be hindering my spiritual walk or affecting my community of faith?**
* **How does Joshua's immediate and diligent obedience in confronting sin challenge my own responsiveness and willingness to address difficult spiritual issues?**
* **What responsibility do I bear for the spiritual health, purity, and integrity of my community, whether it be my family, small group, or local church?**
* **How does the corporate impact of Achan's sin shape my understanding of the interconnectedness of believers in the body of Christ and the importance of mutual accountability?**

### FAQ
**Why was the tribe of Judah "taken" first in the process of elimination?**

Answer: The text does not explicitly state that Judah was the *first* tribe chosen in a random sense, but rather that it was the tribe *identified* or *taken* by the divinely guided process (likely casting lots) as containing the guilty party. God had revealed to Joshua that there was an "accursed thing" within Israel, and He prescribed a methodical, step-by-step process to pinpoint the individual: first by tribe, then by family, then by household, and finally, the person. [Joshua 7:16](/joshua/7-16 "Joshua 7:16 - The Identification of Judah") describes the successful completion of the first stage of this process—the identification of the tribe. The selection was not arbitrary but was the result of God's direct intervention and guidance, ensuring that the guilty tribe, and eventually the guilty individual, would be revealed. It simply means that Judah was the tribe God singled out through the process to contain the sinner, not necessarily that it was the first one drawn in a sequence, but the one divinely indicated.

**What was the "accursed thing" (or "devoted thing") that Achan took, and why was its violation so serious?**

Answer: The "accursed thing" refers to items from Jericho that were under the *herem* ban, meaning they were "devoted" to God for complete destruction or appropriation by the sanctuary. After the miraculous fall of Jericho, God had explicitly commanded Israel not to take any plunder for themselves, but to destroy everything or dedicate precious metals to the Lord's treasury ([Joshua 6:17-19](/joshua/6-17-19 "Joshua 6:17-19 - The Ban on Jericho")). Achan, in direct and defiant disobedience, secretly took a beautiful cloak from Shinar, 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold, and hid them in his tent ([Joshua 7:21](/joshua/7-21 "Joshua 7:21 - Achan's Confession")). His violation was extremely serious because it was an act of sacrilege and theft from God Himself. It demonstrated a profound lack of faith, egregious greed, and a direct challenge to God's absolute authority and holiness. By taking what was "devoted," Achan brought defilement and spiritual pollution into the holy camp of Israel, breaking the covenant and causing God's severe disfavor to fall upon the entire community, leading directly to their defeat at Ai. This act underscored God's demand for absolute obedience, purity, and holiness from His covenant people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 7:16, with its grim reality of corporate sin and the painstaking process of identification and judgment, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus. Achan's sin brought a curse upon Israel, leading to death and defeat, vividly illustrating the devastating consequence of sin for the entire community. In stark and glorious contrast, Jesus Christ became the ultimate "accursed thing" for humanity, taking upon Himself the full weight of the world's sin and its curse, so that we might receive blessing, righteousness, and eternal life. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") powerfully declares, "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." The painstaking process of revealing Achan's sin highlights God's omniscience and His unwavering commitment to holiness; this same holy God, in Christ, perfectly knows our sin, yet instead of condemning us, He offers complete purification through His precious blood ([Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Christ's Blood Cleanses Conscience")). The corporate solidarity seen in Achan's sin affecting all Israel is reversed and perfected in Christ: His perfect obedience and imputed righteousness are credited to all who believe, making us a holy people, a new Israel, cleansed and justified by His atoning sacrifice. While Achan's sin led to his exclusion and death, Christ's perfect obedience and atoning death on the cross provide the only way for all who trust in Him to be included in God's family, reconciled, and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live lives of true holiness, fulfilling the very purity God demanded in Joshua's day ([1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ecclesiastes 9:10

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Joshua 3:1

¶ And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.

Psalms 119:60

I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.

Genesis 22:3

¶ And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.