Joshua 7:19

KJV

And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joshua {H3091} said {H559} unto Achan {H5912}, My son {H1121}, give {H7760}, I pray thee, glory {H3519} to the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, and make {H5414} confession {H8426} unto him; and tell {H5046} me now what thou hast done {H6213}; hide {H3582} it not from me.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshua said to 'Akhan, "My son, swear to ADONAI, the God of Isra'el, that you will tell the truth and confess to him. Tell me, now, what did you do? Don't hide anything from me."

Berean Standard Bible

So Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”

American Standard Version

And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to Jehovah, the God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 7:19 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's early history in the Promised Land, following a humiliating defeat at Ai. This verse captures Joshua's direct, yet pastorally toned, confrontation with Achan, who has been divinely identified as the individual whose hidden sin caused Israel's corporate setback. It underscores the profound theological truth that true confession is not merely an admission of guilt to man, but primarily an act of giving glory to the omniscient and holy God of Israel, acknowledging His righteous judgment and perfect knowledge of all things.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic moment of divine identification and human confrontation in the narrative of Israel's defeat at Ai. Immediately preceding it, the Lord had revealed to Joshua that Israel had sinned by taking "devoted things" (*cherem*) from Jericho, leading to their inability to stand before their enemies ([Joshua 7:10-12](/joshua/7-10 "Joshua 7:10-12 - God's Judgment on Israel's Sin")). Through a divinely guided process of elimination—first by tribe, then by clan, then by family, and finally by individual—Achan of the tribe of Judah was singled out ([Joshua 7:16-18](/joshua/7-16 "Joshua 7:16-18 - Achan's Identification")). Joshua 7:19 is the direct address to Achan, urging him to confess and acknowledge God's truth, before the severe consequences of his sin are executed. It sets the stage for the public confession and subsequent judgment in [Joshua 7:20-26](/joshua/7-20 "Joshua 7:20-26 - Achan's Confession and Punishment").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of *cherem*, or "devoted things," is crucial here. When a city like Jericho was placed under *cherem* ([Joshua 6:17-19](/joshua/6-17 "Joshua 6:17-19 - The Devotion of Jericho")), it meant everything within it was consecrated to God, often for destruction, and was strictly forbidden for personal gain. To take from *cherem* was not merely theft; it was sacrilege, a direct affront to God's holiness and His sovereign claim over the land and its spoils. In ancient Israel, there was a strong sense of corporate solidarity, where the actions of an individual, especially a leader or a representative member, could impact the entire community. Achan's sin, therefore, was not just personal; it was a breach of covenant that defiled the whole camp and brought God's wrath upon the nation, leading to their defeat and the loss of life at Ai.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully articulates several core themes. First, it highlights the **seriousness of sin**, particularly hidden sin, and its far-reaching **corporate consequences**. Achan's individual transgression brought judgment upon the entire community of Israel, demonstrating that sin is never purely private in the eyes of a holy God and can hinder God's blessing on His people. Second, it emphasizes the **necessity of confession**, not merely as an admission of guilt to man, but as an act of **giving glory to God**. Joshua's plea for Achan to "give glory to the LORD" implies acknowledging God's omniscience, His justice, and His rightful authority, even in the face of judgment. This points to God's **divine justice and truthfulness**, as He exposes hidden sin and demands full disclosure, reinforcing the covenantal expectation of purity and obedience from His people in the land He has given them ([Deuteronomy 7:25-26](/deuteronomy/7-25 "Deuteronomy 7:25-26 - The Danger of Idolatry")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"My son" (Hebrew, _bĕnî'_):** This address from Joshua to Achan is notable. While Achan is about to face severe judgment, Joshua uses a term of endearment and familial connection. This reflects Joshua's pastoral heart, even in the midst of administering divine justice. It suggests a desire for Achan's repentance, a recognition of their shared Israelite identity, and perhaps a final plea for Achan to acknowledge the truth not just as a legal requirement, but as a moral and spiritual imperative from a father figure.
* **"give... glory" (Hebrew, _kābôd_):** In this context, "giving glory to the LORD" transcends mere praise. It signifies acknowledging God's truth, His omniscience, and His righteous judgment. It is a demand for Achan to confess the truth because God already knows it, thereby affirming God's perfect knowledge and His just character. It's an act of recognizing God's authority and His absolute right to expose and judge sin, even when hidden from human eyes.
* **"confession" (Hebrew, _tôdâ_):** While _tôdâ_ often means "thanksgiving" or "praise," in legal or covenantal contexts, especially when paired with "giving glory," it carries the nuance of acknowledging guilt, making a full disclosure, or admitting fault. Here, it is an admission of wrongdoing that simultaneously honors God's truth and justice. It is not just about saying "I did it," but about acknowledging the divine nature of the offense and the justness of God's judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joshua said unto Achan, My son":** This opening establishes the solemnity of the moment and Joshua's authority as Israel's leader, while also injecting a surprising note of personal, almost paternal, concern. It sets the stage for a confrontation that is both judicial and pastoral.
* **"give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel":** This is the primary command. Joshua is not asking Achan to glorify God in a general sense, but specifically by confessing his sin. By confessing, Achan would be acknowledging God's omniscient knowledge of his hidden transgression, thus affirming God's truthfulness and holiness, and thereby giving Him the glory due to His name. It's an appeal to Achan's conscience and his covenantal obligation.
* **"and make confession unto him":** This phrase clarifies how Achan is to give glory to God: through confession. The confession is not primarily to Joshua or the people, but "unto him"—the LORD God. This emphasizes that sin is ultimately against God ([Psalm 51:4](/psalm/51-4 "Psalm 51:4 - David's Confession to God")), and therefore, confession must be directed to Him, acknowledging His sovereignty and the violation of His commands.
* **"and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me":** While the confession is directed to God, Joshua, as God's representative, requires the explicit details. This serves multiple purposes: it confirms Achan's guilt publicly, provides the necessary information for the community to understand the transgression, and ensures that the "trouble" in the camp is fully exposed and dealt with, leaving no hidden sin to fester. The repetition of "tell me" and "hide it not" underscores the demand for complete and unreserved honesty.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Dramatic Irony** is evident, as Achan believed his sin was hidden, yet God had already exposed it to Joshua, making Joshua's demand for confession a test of Achan's integrity in the face of known divine truth. The use of **Repetition** in Joshua's plea ("give... glory," "make confession," "tell me now," "hide it not") creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the absolute necessity of truth-telling and full disclosure. There is a powerful **Juxtaposition** between Joshua's tender address, "My son," and the severe judgment that awaits Achan, highlighting the tension between compassion and the unwavering demands of divine justice. Finally, the entire narrative relies on **Divine Revelation** as the primary means by which Achan's sin is brought to light, underscoring God's active involvement in the affairs of His people and His commitment to covenant fidelity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 7:19 profoundly illustrates that sin, even when hidden from human eyes, is always known to God and is ultimately an offense against His holiness and authority. The demand to "give glory to the LORD" through confession reveals that acknowledging one's sin is not merely an act of humility, but an act of worship that affirms God's omniscience, justice, and truthfulness. This episode underscores the corporate nature of sin's consequences in the Old Covenant, where one individual's transgression could defile the entire community and hinder God's blessing. It teaches that true restoration, both individual and communal, begins with honest, God-directed confession, which is essential for re-establishing right relationship with a holy God and for removing obstacles to His presence and power among His people.

* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - The Consequences of Concealing Sin")
* [Psalm 51:4](/psalm/51-4 "Psalm 51:4 - David's Confession of Sin Against God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua's confrontation with Achan serves as a timeless and sobering reminder of the profound importance of confession in the life of a believer and the community of faith. It teaches us that sin, particularly unconfessed sin, creates a barrier between us and God, and can have ripple effects that impact those around us. When we are confronted with our wrongdoing, whether by divine conviction or human accountability, our first and most crucial response should be to "give glory to the LORD" by confessing our sin to Him. This is not about informing an ignorant God, but about acknowledging His perfect knowledge, His holiness, and our transgression against His righteous standards. True confession is an act of humility that aligns our hearts with God's truth, paving the way for His forgiveness and restoration. It reminds us that God desires truth in our innermost being, and that hiding sin only prolongs its destructive power, whereas confession brings light, healing, and the possibility of renewed fellowship with God and others.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might unconfessed sin in my life be impacting my relationship with God or those around me?**
* **What does it truly mean for me to "give glory to the LORD" when I confess my sins?**
* **How does the story of Achan challenge my understanding of individual responsibility versus corporate impact within a community of faith?**
* **What steps can I take to cultivate a habit of honest, God-directed confession in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Achan's sin affect the whole community of Israel, leading to their defeat at Ai?**

Answer: Achan's sin affected the entire community due to the principle of corporate solidarity prevalent in ancient Israel. In the Old Covenant, the nation was considered a single entity, bound together by a covenant with God. An individual's sin, especially a serious breach of a divine command like taking *cherem* (devoted things), was seen as defiling the entire camp and breaking the covenant relationship. God's holiness demanded purity from His people, and Achan's transgression brought divine wrath upon the whole nation, causing their defeat at Ai as a direct consequence of their corporate impurity. This demonstrated that God's covenant with Israel was serious, and disobedience by any member could have far-reaching implications for all, hindering God's blessing and protection until the sin was exposed and dealt with ([Deuteronomy 7:25-26](/deuteronomy/7-25 "Deuteronomy 7:25-26 - The Danger of Idolatry")).

**What does "give glory to the LORD" mean in the context of Achan's confession?**

Answer: In this specific context, "give glory to the LORD" (Hebrew: _kābôd le-YHWH_) means to acknowledge the truth, especially when facing divine judgment or an oath. It is not merely an act of praise, but an admission of guilt that honors God's omniscience and justice. Joshua is demanding that Achan confess because God already knows what he has done. By confessing, Achan would be affirming God's perfect knowledge, His righteous character, and His authority to expose and judge sin. It's an act of recognizing God's truthfulness and His right to be glorified through the revelation of hidden things, even if that revelation leads to severe consequences for the one confessing ([Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's Omniscience")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Achan's sin and the demand for confession in Joshua 7:19 finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. Achan's sin, a violation of God's holiness that brought corporate judgment, foreshadows the universal problem of sin that separates all humanity from God ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All Have Sinned")). The Old Testament's emphasis on confession to "give glory to the LORD" points forward to the perfect confession and obedience of Christ, who, though sinless, identified with humanity's sin and bore its corporate consequences on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His sacrifice, Jesus became the ultimate "devoted thing," taking upon Himself the curse and judgment that our sins deserved, thereby removing the barrier between God and humanity ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Now, under the New Covenant, true confession is made possible and effective not by our own merit, but by trusting in Christ's atoning work. When we confess our sins, we "give glory" to God by acknowledging His truth and justice, but also by embracing His mercy and forgiveness freely offered through the blood of Jesus ([1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")). He is the true Joshua who leads His people into a spiritual promised land, not by punishing their every hidden sin with death, but by conquering sin and death itself, offering cleansing and new life to all who confess Him as Lord ([Romans 10:9-10](/romans/10-9 "Romans 10:9-10 - Confession of Faith")).

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

1 Samuel 6:5

Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.

Jeremiah 13:16

Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, [and] make [it] gross darkness.

John 9:24

Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner.

Daniel 9:4

¶ And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;

1 Samuel 14:43

Then Saul said to Jonathan, Tell me what thou hast done. And Jonathan told him, and said, I did but taste a little honey with the end of the rod that [was] in mine hand, [and], lo, I must die.

2 Chronicles 30:22

And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.

Psalms 32:5

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.