Joshua 7:22

KJV

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, [it was] hid in his tent, and the silver under it.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Joshua {H3091} sent {H7971} messengers {H4397}, and they ran {H7323} unto the tent {H168}; and, behold, it was hid {H2934} in his tent {H168}, and the silver {H3701} under it.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshua sent messengers, who ran to the tent. It was all there, hidden in his tent, including the silver underneath.

Berean Standard Bible

So Joshua sent messengers who ran to the tent, and there it all was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath.

American Standard Version

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 7:22 vividly recounts the immediate and urgent verification of Achan's confession, as messengers dispatched by Joshua swiftly locate the forbidden items—a valuable Babylonian garment, silver, and a wedge of gold—hidden precisely as described within Achan's tent. This pivotal moment confirms the veracity of Achan's sin and sets the stage for the communal consequences of his individual act of disobedience, underscoring the futility of concealing sin from divine knowledge.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 7:22 is a crucial turning point in the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan, following the miraculous victory at [Jericho](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho") and the subsequent humiliating defeat at [Ai](/joshua/7-5 "Joshua 7:5 - Israel's Defeat at Ai"). The chapter opens by revealing that "the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan... took of the accursed thing" ([Joshua 7:1](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1 - Achan's Sin Revealed")). This hidden sin led to God's withdrawal of favor, resulting in Israel's defeat. Joshua's desperate plea to God ([Joshua 7:6-9](/joshua/7-6 "Joshua 7:6-9 - Joshua's Lament")) elicited God's revelation of the sin in the camp. Through a divinely guided process of elimination by tribe, clan, and family, Achan was identified ([Joshua 7:16-18](/joshua/7-16 "Joshua 7:16-18 - Achan Identified")). When confronted, Achan confessed to taking a valuable Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold, admitting he had "hid them in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it" ([Joshua 7:20-21](/joshua/7-20 "Joshua 7:20-21 - Achan's Confession")). Verse 22 details the immediate verification of this confession, as messengers are sent to confirm the presence of the illicit items, validating Achan's words and preparing for the judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The concept of *cherem* (Hebrew: חֵרֶם), often translated as "devoted things" or "accursed things," is central to understanding this passage. In ancient Israelite warfare, items from conquered cities, especially those designated for complete destruction or dedication to God, were considered *cherem*. To take such items for personal gain was a severe violation of God's command, an act of sacrilege that defiled the entire community. This practice underscored God's absolute sovereignty and Israel's role as His holy people, distinct from the surrounding nations. The communal nature of sin and punishment was also a pervasive cultural understanding; an individual's transgression could bring divine judgment upon the entire group, as seen in Israel's defeat at Ai. The public discovery and subsequent judgment of Achan were not merely punitive but served as a ritual cleansing of the community, restoring God's favor and demonstrating the seriousness of covenant fidelity.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua 7:22 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Joshua and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the **omniscience and holiness of God**, demonstrating that no sin, however meticulously concealed, can remain hidden from His sight. God's knowledge of Achan's transgression, even before the human investigation, underscores His absolute awareness and righteous demand for purity within His covenant people. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **corporate responsibility and the ripple effect of sin**. Achan's individual act of covetousness brought defeat and shame upon the entire nation, emphasizing that individual faithfulness impacts the well-being of the community. This concept is echoed in passages like [1 Corinthians 12:26](/1_corinthians/12-26 "1 Corinthians 12:26 - The Body of Christ"). Finally, the immediate verification and public exposure of the hidden items underscore the necessity of **accountability and justice** within God's covenant community, ensuring that sin is not merely confessed but also demonstrably dealt with to restore divine favor and communal integrity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hid (Hebrew, _ṭâman'_):** This verb (H2934) signifies "to hide," "to conceal," or "to bury." Its use here emphasizes the deliberate and intentional nature of Achan's act. He didn't just misplace the items; he actively and consciously concealed them, attempting to keep them out of sight and discovery. This points to a premeditated act of disobedience and an attempt to evade accountability, highlighting the deceitful nature of sin.
* **Tent (Hebrew, _ʼôhel'_):** In ancient Israelite society, the tent (H168) was a private dwelling, a personal space. The fact that Achan hid the items "in his tent" underscores his attempt to keep his sin private and isolated from the communal eye. However, the discovery within this private space demonstrates that even the most personal and concealed transgressions are brought to light by God, revealing the futility of attempting to hide from divine scrutiny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Joshua sent messengers,"**: This phrase highlights Joshua's immediate and decisive action following Achan's confession. It demonstrates his leadership and commitment to upholding God's law and cleansing the camp of sin. The sending of messengers implies an official, verifiable process, not just a verbal acknowledgment.
* **"and they ran unto the tent;"**: The word "ran" conveys urgency and speed. There was no hesitation; the verification of Achan's confession was a matter of utmost priority, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the desire to quickly rectify the communal sin. This swift action also suggests the faith and obedience of the messengers.
* **"and, behold, [it was] hid in his tent,"**: The interjection "behold" (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, _hinnēh_) draws attention to the immediate and striking confirmation of Achan's words. The items were indeed found exactly where he said they were, validating his confession and removing any doubt about his guilt. This moment serves as a powerful visual confirmation of the hidden transgression.
* **"and the silver under it."**: This specific detail provides further corroboration of Achan's confession ([Joshua 7:21](/joshua/7-21 "Joshua 7:21 - Achan's Detailed Confession")), indicating the precise manner of concealment. The silver, being the most valuable and perhaps most easily traceable, was buried beneath the other items, suggesting a calculated effort to ensure its deeper concealment and evade detection. This detail underscores the deliberate and thorough nature of Achan's attempt to hide his sin.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative of Joshua 7:22 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as Achan's attempt to conceal his ill-gotten gains in the privacy of his tent, believing them safe, is immediately and publicly exposed. His confession, intended to perhaps mitigate his fate, leads directly to the verification of his hidden sin. There is also a strong element of **Symbolism**; the "tent," typically a place of refuge and privacy, becomes the very site of exposure and judgment, symbolizing how hidden sin, even in the most personal spaces, cannot escape God's scrutiny. Furthermore, the swift action of the "running" messengers and the immediate discovery create a sense of **Dramatic Urgency**, emphasizing the critical nature of dealing with sin swiftly and decisively to restore the community's relationship with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 7:22 serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute holiness and omniscience, demonstrating that no sin, however carefully concealed, can escape His sight. Achan's attempt to hide the devoted things underscores the deceitful nature of sin and the human propensity to believe that private transgressions remain unseen. However, this passage powerfully asserts the futility of such a belief in the face of a God who "knows the secrets of the heart" ([Psalm 44:21](/psalm/44-21 "Psalm 44:21 - God Knows the Heart")). The public discovery and subsequent judgment were not merely punitive but essential for the purification of the Israelite community, reaffirming the principle that individual sin can have corporate consequences and that God demands purity from His covenant people. This event emphasizes the necessity of transparency before God and the community, highlighting that true repentance involves bringing hidden things into the light for full reconciliation and restoration.

* [Numbers 32:23](/numbers/32-23 "Numbers 32:23 - Be Sure Your Sin Will Find You Out")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "Hebrews 4:13 - All Things Naked Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The swift and undeniable exposure of Achan's hidden sin in Joshua 7:22 offers profound lessons for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that our lives are lived before an all-knowing God from whom nothing is truly hidden. While we may succeed in concealing our transgressions from others, or even from ourselves, God sees all. This truth should inspire not fear, but a profound humility and a commitment to radical transparency and integrity in every area of our lives. Just as Achan's sin brought trouble upon the entire camp, our personal choices—whether in thought, word, or deed—can have far-reaching implications, impacting our families, churches, and communities. This passage calls us to a diligent examination of our hearts, encouraging us to confess and forsake any hidden areas of disobedience, trusting in God's mercy and the cleansing power of His grace. It challenges us to live lives that reflect the light of Christ, where integrity is paramount and where the desire to please God outweighs any temptation to conceal our failings.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "hidden things" might I be attempting to conceal from God or others in my own life, and what are the potential consequences of such concealment?**
* **How does the swift exposure of Achan's sin encourage me to live a life of greater transparency and integrity before God and my community?**
* **In what ways might my individual actions, whether good or bad, be impacting the spiritual health and well-being of my family or church community?**

### FAQ

**Why was it so important for Joshua to send messengers to verify Achan's confession?**

Answer: It was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it provided undeniable **tangible proof** of Achan's guilt, confirming his confession and leaving no room for doubt or future dispute. Secondly, it served as a **public demonstration** of justice and the seriousness of God's commands regarding the *cherem* (devoted things), reinforcing the lesson for the entire community. Thirdly, the physical retrieval of the items was necessary to **remove the defilement** from the camp, which was a prerequisite for God's favor to return to Israel, as indicated in [Joshua 7:12](/joshua/7-12 "Joshua 7:12 - God's Command to Purify the Camp"). This act was part of the process of communal cleansing and restoration.

**What is the significance of the silver being hidden "under it" (presumably under the garment)?**

Answer: The detail that the silver was hidden "under it" (referring to the Babylonian garment, as specified in Achan's confession in [Joshua 7:21](/joshua/7-21 "Joshua 7:21 - Achan's Detailed Confession")) emphasizes the **deliberate and calculated nature** of Achan's concealment. The garment, being large, could easily cover and obscure the smaller, yet highly valuable, silver and gold. This suggests Achan took extra precautions to hide the most precious items, indicating a premeditated attempt to avoid detection and highlighting his covetousness and deceit. It underscores the thoroughness of his sin and the futility of his efforts to hide from God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Achan's sin and its exposure in Joshua 7:22, while a stark Old Testament account of judgment, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate revelation of truth and the perfect solution to sin found in Jesus Christ. Achan's attempt to hide his sin in his tent highlights humanity's futile efforts to conceal our transgressions from a holy God. Yet, in Christ, we see the One who not only **exposes sin** but also **provides the perfect covering** for it. The "devoted things" (*cherem*) that brought a curse upon Israel find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who became the true "devoted thing" for humanity, bearing the curse of sin on the cross ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Just as Achan's hidden sin was brought into the light, Jesus, the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), exposes the darkness of sin in our hearts, not to condemn, but to offer forgiveness and cleansing. He is the ultimate High Priest who, unlike the temporary cleansing rituals of the Old Covenant, entered the true holy place with His own blood, providing a perfect and eternal atonement for our sins ([Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). Through Him, our hidden sins are not merely exposed but are washed away, allowing us to stand righteous before God, not by our own merit, but by His grace ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")).

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.