Joshua 7:18

KJV

And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he brought {H7126} his household {H1004} man {H1397} by man {H1397}; and Achan {H5912}, the son {H1121} of Carmi {H3756}, the son {H1121} of Zabdi {H2067}, the son {H1121} of Zerah {H2226}, of the tribe {H4294} of Judah {H3063}, was taken {H3920}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He had his household come forward, one person at a time; and 'Akhan the son of Karmi, the son of Zavdi, the son of Zerach, of the tribe of Y'hudah, was taken.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

and he brought near his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse marks the climactic moment of a divinely orchestrated investigation, precisely identifying Achan as the individual whose hidden disobedience brought severe judgment and defeat upon the Israelite community. Following a meticulous, step-by-step process of elimination by tribe, family, and household, Joshua 7:18 definitively names Achan, a man from the esteemed tribe of Judah, as the transgressor who violated God's explicit command concerning the devoted things from Jericho, thereby revealing the source of defilement that had hindered Israel's progress and provoked divine wrath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a pivotal moment in the book of Joshua, immediately following Israel's miraculous and decisive victory at Jericho, where God had commanded that all plunder, save precious metals for the treasury, be *cherem* (devoted to destruction or to God) and not taken for personal gain. The narrative then abruptly shifts to Israel's inexplicable and humiliating defeat at Ai, a much smaller city. Distraught, Joshua appeals to God, who reveals that Israel has sinned by taking "accursed things" from Jericho, thus breaking the covenant and preventing God from fighting for them, as detailed in [Joshua 7:10-12](/joshua/7-10-12 "Joshua 7:10-12 - God's Revelation of Sin"). God then instructs Joshua to sanctify the people and conduct a process of elimination by tribe, then family, then household, and finally individual, to uncover the transgressor. Joshua 7:18 describes the final, conclusive step of this process, where Achan is definitively identified, setting the stage for the subsequent judgment and the restoration of God's favor upon Israel.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern warfare, the concept of *cherem*, or "devoted things," was not unique to Israel, though its application was distinctive. It involved dedicating spoils of war entirely to a deity, often through destruction, to prevent human appropriation and acknowledge divine sovereignty over the victory. For Israel, violating *cherem* was a profound act of sacrilege, directly challenging God's authority and covenant. The method of identification, likely involving the casting of lots (as implied by the preceding verses and common Israelite practice for discerning divine will, e.g., [1 Samuel 14:41-42](/1_samuel/14-41-42 "1 Samuel 14:41-42 - Saul and Jonathan's Lot")), underscored the belief that God was actively revealing the truth. Furthermore, the detailed lineage provided for Achan—"the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah"—was crucial in Israelite society, establishing his identity, tribal affiliation, and the public nature of his exposure, ensuring no doubt about the culprit's identity within the communal structure.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 7:18 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. It highlights **Divine Omniscience and Justice**, demonstrating that no sin, however hidden, escapes God's notice or judgment, as affirmed in [Psalm 90:8](/psalms/90-8 "Psalm 90:8 - God Sees All Sins"). The immediate consequence of Achan's sin—the defeat at Ai—underscores the theme of **Corporate Responsibility**, where the sin of an individual can bring consequences upon the entire community, reflecting Israel's covenantal solidarity with God and one another, a principle seen in [Deuteronomy 29:18-21](/deuteronomy/29-18-21 "Deuteronomy 29:18-21 - Corporate Consequences of Sin"). This also reinforces the **Seriousness of Disobedience** to God's specific commands, particularly concerning the *cherem*, which was a test of Israel's faithfulness at the very outset of their conquest. Finally, the identification of Achan is a necessary step towards the **Purity and Sanctification of the Community**, illustrating that sin must be dealt with decisively to restore God's presence and blessing among His people, enabling them to fulfill their divine mission in the Promised Land, as commanded in [Joshua 7:13](/joshua/7-13 "Joshua 7:13 - Sanctifying the People").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **household (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** This term (H1004) refers not merely to a nuclear family but to an expansive family unit, often encompassing servants, dependents, and all associated possessions. The phrase "brought his household man by man" emphasizes the comprehensive and meticulous nature of the divine investigation, ensuring every individual within the suspected group was subjected to scrutiny and divine revelation.
* **man (Hebrew, _geber'_):** From H1397, this word specifically denotes a valiant man or warrior, but in a broader sense, it refers to a person or individual. Its use here, "man by man," highlights the individual accountability within the collective, emphasizing that the divine process meticulously singled out each person until the guilty party was isolated.
* **was taken (Hebrew, _lâkad'_):** Derived from the primitive root H3920, meaning "to catch," "to seize," or "to be captured." In this context, "was taken" signifies a definitive, divinely orchestrated apprehension or selection, rather than a random choice. It powerfully conveys that Achan was not merely "found" by human means but "apprehended" or "singled out" by a supernatural process (likely the lot, guided by God), confirming his guilt beyond any human doubt.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he brought his household man by man":** This clause details the final, most granular stage of the divinely guided process of elimination. After the tribe of Judah was identified, then the family of Zerah, and subsequently the household of Zabdi, Joshua then presented each male member of Zabdi's household individually. This methodical, public approach underscores the precision of God's revelation and the thoroughness required to identify the transgressor and cleanse the camp, leaving no room for dispute or error.
* **"and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken":** This climactic declaration unequivocally names the culprit. The extensive and detailed genealogy provided serves to firmly place Achan within his tribal and familial context, emphasizing the public nature of his exposure and the undeniable certainty of his guilt, divinely confirmed through the lot. His identification as "was taken" signifies the direct, active hand of God in revealing the hidden sin, bringing the long and tense process of investigation to its definitive and unavoidable conclusion.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to heighten its impact and underscore its theological significance. **Emphasis** is powerfully achieved through the detailed and repetitive genealogy of Achan, which not only provides his full identity but also underscores the specific, undeniable nature of the transgressor and the public, communal ramifications of his exposure. This precision serves to remove any ambiguity regarding the individual responsible for Israel's recent defeat. The narrative also uses **Foreshadowing**, as the meticulous process of elimination and the ultimate identification of Achan strongly imply the severe, divinely ordained consequences that are about to befall him, given God's earlier pronouncements of wrath against the "accursed thing." There is also an element of **Dramatic Irony** within the broader chapter: Israel, having just witnessed God's overwhelming power at Jericho, is now humbled and defeated by a comparatively small city (Ai), revealing that their true enemy was not external military might but internal spiritual defilement. The very act of Achan being "taken" serves as a form of **Divine Revelation** as a narrative device, showcasing God's active, sovereign involvement in the affairs of His people and His unerring ability to expose hidden sin for the sake of communal purity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 7:18 profoundly illustrates the interconnectedness of sin, judgment, and community purity within the Old Covenant. It reveals that God's omniscience extends to the most hidden acts of disobedience, and that such sin, when unconfessed and unaddressed, can have devastating corporate consequences, hindering God's blessing upon the entire community. The meticulous process of Achan's identification underscores God's justice and His commitment to maintaining the holiness of His covenant people. For Israel to move forward in their divine mission, the "accursed thing" had to be removed, demonstrating that spiritual integrity is paramount for divine favor and success. This narrative serves as a stark reminder that personal accountability is inextricably linked to communal well-being, and that God will not tolerate unconfessed sin within His midst.

* [Numbers 32:23](/numbers/32-23 "Numbers 32:23 - Your Sin Will Find You Out")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")
* [1 Corinthians 5:6](/1_corinthians/5-6 "1 Corinthians 5:6 - A Little Leaven")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The identification of Achan in Joshua 7:18 serves as a potent reminder for believers today that no sin is hidden from God's sight, and that even seemingly private transgressions can have far-reaching consequences for the broader community of faith. This account challenges us to cultivate a profound sense of personal integrity, recognizing that our actions, both good and bad, contribute to the spiritual health and effectiveness of the church. It calls us to a radical honesty before God, prompting us to confess and repent of hidden sins, trusting in His mercy and forgiveness. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of corporate purity within the church, not through judgmental condemnation, but through a shared commitment to holiness, accountability, and the restoration of those who stumble. Just as Achan's sin needed to be dealt with for Israel to regain God's favor, so too must the church continually strive for spiritual purity to experience the fullness of God's presence and power in its mission.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might my "secret" sins be impacting my community or church, even if I don't perceive a direct link?**
* **How does the story of Achan challenge my understanding of God's justice and His patience with sin?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate greater transparency and accountability in my own spiritual walk?**
* **How can our church community foster an environment where sin is addressed with both truth and grace, leading to repentance and restoration rather than condemnation?**

### FAQ
**Why was Achan's entire family punished along with him for his sin?**

Answer: The punishment of Achan's entire family, detailed in [Joshua 7:24-25](/joshua/7-24-25 "Joshua 7:24-25 - Achan's Punishment and Israel's Cleansing"), reflects the principle of corporate responsibility prevalent in ancient Israelite society and under the Old Covenant. In a highly communal culture, the family unit (the "household" or *bayith*) was often seen as an extension of the individual, and the actions of the head of the household could bring consequences upon the entire unit. While Achan was the primary transgressor, it is plausible that his family members were complicit, aware of his hidden sin, or benefited from the stolen goods. The severity of the punishment also underscored the extreme seriousness of violating *cherem*—an act of sacrilege against God Himself—which had defiled the entire camp and jeopardized Israel's very existence as God's holy people. This drastic measure served as a stark deterrent and a powerful object lesson to the entire nation about the absolute necessity of obedience and the devastating consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. Ultimately, it was a cleansing act to restore the purity of the community and God's favor upon His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Achan's sin and its corporate consequences in Joshua 7:18, culminating in his removal for the purification of Israel, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate solution to humanity's pervasive sin problem found in Jesus Christ. Achan's hidden sin brought defilement and judgment upon the entire community, demonstrating that "the wages of sin is death" [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"). Yet, unlike Achan, whose removal cleansed the camp for a time, Christ is the ultimate "accursed thing" (in the sense of bearing the curse) who was "taken" and "cut off" not for His own sin, but for the sins of the world [Isaiah 53:8](/isaiah/53-8 "Isaiah 53:8 - He Was Cut Off for Our Transgressions"). He became sin for us, bearing the corporate guilt of humanity on the cross, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us"). Through His singular and perfect sacrifice, Jesus perfectly cleansed not just a single camp, but all who believe, establishing a new covenant community, the Church, whose purity is not dependent on human performance but on His finished work [Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through Christ's Sacrifice"). He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, once for all [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Numbers 32:23

But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

Acts 5:1

¶ But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,

Acts 5:10

Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying [her] forth, buried [her] by her husband.

Proverbs 13:21

¶ Evil pursueth sinners: but to the righteous good shall be repayed.

Jeremiah 2:26

As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets,

1 Samuel 14:42

And Saul said, Cast [lots] between me and Jonathan my son. And Jonathan was taken.