Joshua 7:24

KJV

And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joshua {H3091}, and all Israel {H3478} with him, took {H3947} Achan {H5912} the son {H1121} of Zerah {H2226}, and the silver {H3701}, and the garment {H155}, and the wedge {H3956} of gold {H2091}, and his sons {H1121}, and his daughters {H1323}, and his oxen {H7794}, and his asses {H2543}, and his sheep {H6629}, and his tent {H168}, and all that he had: and they brought {H5927} them unto the valley {H6010} of Achor {H5911}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshua, together with all Isra'el, took 'Akhan, the son of Zerach, with the silver, the robe, the gold wedge, his sons, his daughters, his cattle, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and everything he had, and brought them up to the Akhor Valley.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor.

American Standard Version

And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the mantle, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them up unto the valley of Achor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 7:24 vividly recounts the solemn execution of divine judgment upon Achan, his entire household, and all his possessions in the Valley of Achor. This definitive act of purging evil from the Israelite camp followed Achan's egregious violation of God's command regarding the devoted things from Jericho, a sin that had brought defeat and divine displeasure upon the entire nation at Ai. The event served as a profound object lesson on the gravity of disobedience, the holiness of God, and the corporate solidarity of ancient Israel, ensuring the restoration of God's favor and the continuation of the conquest.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the climactic resolution of the narrative surrounding Israel's surprising defeat at Ai. Following the miraculous victory at Jericho, where God explicitly commanded that all spoils, except certain items for the treasury, be "devoted" to Him and not taken by anyone ([Joshua 6:18](/joshua/6-18 "Joshua 6:18 - The Command Concerning Devoted Things")), Israel suffered a humiliating loss at Ai ([Joshua 7:4-5](/joshua/7-4 "Joshua 7:4-5 - Israel's Defeat at Ai")). This defeat revealed that "trouble" was in the camp, prompting Joshua to seek God's face. Through a process of elimination by lot, Achan was identified as the transgressor ([Joshua 7:16-18](/joshua/7-16 "Joshua 7:16-18 - Achan Identified by Lot")), who then confessed to taking a valuable Babylonian garment, silver, and a wedge of gold, hiding them in his tent ([Joshua 7:20-21](/joshua/7-20 "Joshua 7:20-21 - Achan's Confession")). The public exposure and subsequent judgment in [Joshua 7:24](/joshua/7-24 "Joshua 7:24 - Achan's Judgment") underscore the immediate consequence of his sin, paving the way for Israel's renewed success in the conquest.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The judgment upon Achan and his household reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of corporate solidarity, where the actions of an individual, especially a head of household, could profoundly impact the entire family unit and even the broader community. This concept, common in the ancient Near East, meant that the family was often seen as an extension of the individual, sharing in their guilt and consequences. Furthermore, the practice of *herem* (devotion to destruction) was a specific divine command for certain conquered cities, signifying God's absolute ownership and Israel's role as agents of His judgment against the wicked inhabitants of Canaan. The public execution and destruction of Achan's family and possessions in the Valley of Achor served as a stark, visible deterrent, reinforcing the gravity of covenant fidelity and the absolute necessity of purging sin to maintain the purity of the camp and God's holy presence among His people ([Deuteronomy 13:17](/deuteronomy/13-17 "Deuteronomy 13:17 - Purging Evil")).
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several crucial themes. Firstly, it highlights **the seriousness of disobedience** to God's explicit commands; Achan's seemingly private act of greed brought national calamity, demonstrating that God's covenant demands absolute obedience. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **corporate responsibility and solidarity**, where the sin of one individual could defile and bring judgment upon the entire community, necessitating a communal response to purge the evil. This drastic measure was not merely punitive but also **a cleansing act**, essential for restoring God's favor and enabling Israel to continue their divinely mandated conquest. Finally, the event powerfully demonstrates **God's holiness and unwavering justice**, revealing His intolerance for sin within His covenant community and His commitment to maintaining the purity of His people. The removal of Achan and "all that he had" symbolizes the necessary cleansing of sin from the midst of God's people, ensuring that their relationship with Him remained unblemished.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Achan (Hebrew, _‘Akhān'_):** Derived from a root meaning "trouble" or "calamity." This name is highly significant, as his actions indeed brought "trouble" upon Israel, leading to the naming of the valley where he was judged as the "Valley of Achor" (Trouble). His name becomes a prophetic descriptor of his impact.
* **Zerah (Hebrew, _Zeraḥ'_):** Achan is identified as "the son of Zerah," placing him within a specific lineage of the tribe of Judah. This detail emphasizes his identity within the Israelite community and highlights that even from a prominent tribe, sin could arise, impacting the entire nation. Zerah was a son of Judah and twin brother of Perez ([Genesis 38:30](/genesis/38-30 "Genesis 38:30 - Birth of Zerah")).
* **Achor (Hebrew, _‘Ākhōr'_):** Meaning "trouble" or "calamity." The naming of the valley as the "Valley of Achor" serves as a perpetual memorial to Achan's sin and its disastrous consequences. This geographical marker becomes a powerful symbol of the consequences of disobedience, yet, remarkably, it is later transformed in prophetic literature into a "door of hope" ([Hosea 2:15](/hosea/2-15 "Hosea 2:15 - Valley of Achor as a Door of Hope")), signifying God's redemptive power even over places of past judgment and despair.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah":** This clause emphasizes the communal nature of the judgment. It was not merely Joshua acting alone, but "all Israel with him," signifying the corporate responsibility and participation of the entire covenant community in purging the evil from their midst. This public act underscored the gravity of the offense and served as a deterrent for future disobedience.
* **"and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had":** This extensive list meticulously details everything associated with Achan that was subject to the judgment. The inclusion of his family, livestock, and possessions highlights the principle of corporate solidarity prevalent in ancient Israel, where the head of the household represented the entire family unit. The destruction of "all that he had" ensured a complete purging of the defilement from the camp, leaving no trace of the forbidden spoils or the sin that accompanied them.
* **"and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.":** This final phrase specifies the location of the judgment. The "Valley of Achor" (Valley of Trouble) was deliberately chosen and named to serve as a lasting memorial to Achan's sin and its consequences. This physical place became a tangible reminder of the severity of God's justice and the importance of obedience for the well-being of the entire nation.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is evident in the exhaustive list of Achan's possessions and family members, emphasizing the totality of the judgment and the complete purging of the defilement. This detailed enumeration underscores that nothing associated with the sin was spared. **Symbolism** is profoundly present in the naming of the "Valley of Achor." This geographical location becomes a powerful symbol of "trouble" and the devastating consequences of disobedience, serving as a perpetual warning. However, this symbolism is later transformed in prophetic literature, offering a powerful **foreshadowing** of God's redemptive work, turning a place of judgment into a "door of hope." The narrative also utilizes **contrast** by juxtaposing the glorious victory at Jericho with the humiliating defeat at Ai, directly attributing the latter to Achan's hidden sin, thereby highlighting the immediate and far-reaching impact of individual transgression on the corporate body.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 7:24 stands as a stark reminder of God's absolute holiness and His demand for purity within His covenant community. Achan's sin, though seemingly minor in its individual scale, was a direct affront to God's command and a violation of the sacred *herem* principle, which brought defilement upon the entire nation. This narrative underscores that sin is not merely a private matter but has corporate ramifications, affecting the spiritual well-being and divine favor upon the community. The judgment was not arbitrary but a necessary act to cleanse the camp, restore God's presence, and enable Israel to fulfill its divine mission. It illustrates that God takes sin seriously and will not tolerate unconfessed or unaddressed rebellion among His people, demonstrating His perfect justice and His commitment to maintaining a holy people for His purposes.

* [Deuteronomy 29:18-21](/deuteronomy/29-18 "Deuteronomy 29:18-21 - Corporate Consequences of Idolatry")
* [1 Corinthians 5:6-7](/1_corinthians/5-6 "1 Corinthians 5:6-7 - A Little Leaven Leavens the Whole Lump")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin is Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Achan's judgment, while rooted in a specific historical and cultural context, offers enduring principles for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that sin, even when hidden, has far-reaching consequences, not only for the individual but also for the communities to which we belong—our families, churches, and broader society. God's holiness remains unchanged, and His call for purity and obedience is timeless. This passage challenges us to examine our own lives for any "devoted things" we may be clinging to—idols of greed, covetousness, or disobedience—that might be hindering God's blessing on our lives and those around us. It compels us to cultivate a posture of radical obedience, recognizing that our individual choices contribute to the spiritual health or sickness of the body of Christ. Just as Israel had to purge the evil to move forward, so too must we be diligent in confessing and repenting of sin, allowing God to cleanse us and restore us to full fellowship and fruitfulness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "hidden sins" in my life might be hindering my spiritual growth or impacting my relationships with others?**
* **How does my understanding of God's holiness impact my daily choices and my commitment to obedience?**
* **In what ways do I recognize my responsibility for the spiritual health of my family or church community?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure that I am not harboring anything that is "devoted to destruction" in my life?**

### FAQ
**Why was Achan's entire family killed for his sin?**

Answer: The killing of Achan's entire family, along with his possessions, reflects the ancient Israelite understanding of corporate solidarity, where the family unit was often seen as an extension of the head of the household. In this cultural context, a severe sin committed by the patriarch could bring defilement and judgment upon the entire family, who were considered complicit or affected by his actions, especially if they knew of his sin and did not report it, or benefited from it. This drastic measure was also intended to be a powerful and terrifying deterrent for the entire nation, emphasizing the absolute gravity of violating God's covenant commands and the necessity of completely purging evil from the community to restore God's favor and presence ([Deuteronomy 13:17](/deuteronomy/13-17 "Deuteronomy 13:17 - Purging Evil")). While challenging to modern sensibilities, it underscored God's uncompromising holiness and the communal nature of the covenant in the Old Testament.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The judgment of Achan in the Valley of Achor, a place named "Trouble" due to his sin, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate judgment of sin and the radical transformation offered in Christ. Achan's sin brought a curse upon Israel, leading to defeat and the need for a corporate purging. Similarly, the sin of humanity brought a universal curse and separation from God ([Romans 5:12](/romans/5-12 "Romans 5:12 - Sin Entered the World Through One Man")). However, unlike Achan, who bore his own judgment, Jesus Christ became the ultimate "trouble-bearer" for humanity. He willingly entered our "valley of trouble," taking upon Himself the full weight of God's wrath against sin on the cross ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Through His sacrifice, Christ purged sin not just from a single community but from all who believe, offering a complete cleansing that the Old Testament sacrifices could only point to ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ Appeared to Put Away Sin")). Moreover, the prophetic vision of the Valley of Achor becoming a "door of hope" ([Hosea 2:15](/hosea/2-15 "Hosea 2:15 - Valley of Achor as a Door of Hope")) finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. What was once a place of judgment and despair is transformed into a gateway to new life and blessing through the gospel, where the "trouble" of sin is overcome by the "hope" of redemption found in Him ([Romans 5:1-2](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1-2 - Peace with God Through Faith")). Thus, Achan's story, while a somber account of justice, ultimately magnifies the far greater justice and mercy of God revealed in Jesus Christ, who bore our trouble so that we might have eternal hope.

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

Proverbs 15:27

¶ He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

1 Timothy 6:9

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and [into] many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1 Timothy 6:10

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Joshua 7:26

And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

Exodus 20:5

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me;

Numbers 16:27

So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children.

Numbers 16:31

And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that [was] under them: