Joshua 7:7

KJV

And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

KJV (with Strong's)

And Joshua {H3091} said {H559}, Alas, O {H162} Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}, wherefore hast thou at all {H5674} brought {H5674} this people {H5971} over {H5674} Jordan {H3383}, to deliver {H5414} us into the hand {H3027} of the Amorites {H567}, to destroy {H6} us? would to God {H3863} we had been content {H2974}, and dwelt {H3427} on the other side {H5676} Jordan {H3383}!

Complete Jewish Bible

Y'hoshua said, "Oh, Adonai ELOHIM! Why did you take the trouble to bring this people across the Yarden if you meant to hand us over to the Emori and have us perish? We should have been satisfied to live on the other side of the Yarden!

Berean Standard Bible

“O, Lord GOD,” Joshua said, “why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be destroyed? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!

American Standard Version

And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord Jehovah, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over the Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? would that we had been content and dwelt beyond the Jordan!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 7:7 captures a raw, desperate lament from Joshua, Israel's leader, immediately following a humiliating defeat at Ai. Overwhelmed by the unexpected setback after the miraculous victory at Jericho, Joshua pours out his heart to God, questioning the very purpose of their crossing the Jordan River. His words express profound anguish, fear that God has brought them into the Promised Land only to be destroyed by their enemies, and a wistful longing for the perceived safety and simplicity of their past on the other side of the Jordan. This moment reveals the depth of Joshua's burden for his people and his struggle to reconcile God's past faithfulness with the present disaster.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the book of Joshua, immediately following the stunning defeat of Israel at Ai in [Joshua 7:5](/joshua/7-5 "Joshua 7:5 - Israel's Defeat at Ai"). This defeat stands in stark contrast to the preceding miraculous victory at [Jericho](/joshua/6 "Joshua 6 - The Fall of Jericho"), where God had displayed His power mightily. The narrative flow of [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin and Defeat at Ai") is designed to highlight the devastating consequences of corporate sin. While Joshua is unaware of the specific transgression, the preceding verses reveal that Achan had disobeyed God's clear command regarding the devoted things from Jericho ([Joshua 7:1](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1 - Achan's Transgression")). Joshua's lament in [Joshua 7:7](/joshua/7-7 "Joshua 7:7 - Joshua's Lament") is followed by God's direct response, revealing the sin and instructing Joshua on how to purify the camp ([Joshua 7:10-15](/joshua/7-10 "Joshua 7:10-15 - God Reveals Achan's Sin")). This lament serves as a pivot point, moving the narrative from Israel's inexplicable defeat to the revelation and resolution of the underlying cause.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites had recently crossed the [Jordan River](/joshua/3 "Joshua 3 - Crossing the Jordan River"), a miraculous event that solidified their faith and God's covenant promises. They were now in Canaan, a land inhabited by various powerful city-states and tribal groups, including the Amorites, who were a dominant force in the region, known for their formidable warriors and fortified cities. For Israel, a nomadic people transitioning into a settled nation, these indigenous groups represented a significant military threat. Joshua's fear of being delivered "into the hand of the Amorites" was a legitimate concern, reflecting the real dangers of conquest in the ancient Near East. The concept of "destroying" or "utterly consuming" (חָרַם, _ḥāram_) the enemy was part of the divine command for holy war, but Joshua here fears that Israel themselves will be the ones utterly destroyed, reversing their divinely appointed role. His lament also implicitly references the wilderness wanderings, where the people had often longed to return to Egypt or remain in a less challenging environment.
* **Key Themes:** Joshua's lament in this verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **lament and honest prayer**, demonstrating that even great leaders can express profound despair and question God's ways in times of crisis, a pattern seen throughout Scripture (e.g., [Jeremiah 12:1](/jeremiah/12-1 "Jeremiah 12:1 - Jeremiah's Complaint"), [Psalm 13:1](/psalms/13-1 "Psalm 13:1 - A Plea for Deliverance")). Secondly, it highlights the severe consequences of **corporate sin and disobedience**. The defeat at Ai, though caused by one man's sin ([Joshua 7:1](/joshua/7-1 "Joshua 7:1 - Achan's Sin")), affected the entire community, illustrating the interconnectedness of the covenant people. Thirdly, the verse touches on the theme of **divine sovereignty versus human responsibility**. While Joshua questions God's purpose, the narrative reveals that God's plan was not flawed, but rather human disobedience had interrupted its execution. Finally, it emphasizes the vital importance of **obedience** for success in the conquest and for maintaining God's presence and favor among His people, a lesson that would be repeatedly taught throughout Israel's history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Alas (אָהָהּ, _’āhāh_):** This Hebrew interjection is an exclamation of distress, grief, or lament. It conveys a deep sense of sorrow, woe, or despair, similar to "Oh!" or "Woe is me!" in English. Its use here immediately sets the tone of profound anguish and bewilderment in Joshua's prayer, indicating a leader at the end of his emotional tether, struggling to comprehend the sudden reversal of fortune. It is a cry of pain and confusion directed straight to God.
* **Lord GOD (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה, _’ăḏōnāy YHWH_):** This is a significant divine title combination. "Adonai" (Lord/Master) emphasizes God's supreme authority and sovereignty, while "YHWH" (the covenant name, often rendered "LORD" in English Bibles) highlights His personal, covenantal relationship with Israel, signifying His faithfulness to His promises. Joshua's use of both terms simultaneously underscores his recognition of God's ultimate power and His intimate relationship with Israel, making his questioning all the more poignant. He is appealing to the One who is both sovereign and bound by covenant to His people, seeking an explanation for what seems to be a contradiction of divine character.
* **Amorites (אֱמֹרִי, _’ĕmōrī_):** The Amorites were one of the prominent and powerful Canaanite groups inhabiting the land promised to Israel. They represented the formidable indigenous opposition that Israel was commanded to dispossess. Joshua's specific mention of the Amorites here is not arbitrary; it signifies the very real and immediate threat posed by the inhabitants of Canaan. His fear is that instead of Israel conquering the Amorites as God promised, God has brought Israel across the Jordan only to be conquered and "destroyed" by them, thus reversing the divine decree and making God's prior actions seem futile or even malicious.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD":** This opening phrase immediately establishes the emotional intensity of the scene. Joshua, the strong and courageous leader, is revealed in a moment of utter despair. The interjection "Alas" (אָהָהּ) conveys deep sorrow and distress, a cry of anguish directed towards God. The address "O Lord GOD" (אֲדֹנָי יְהוִה) signifies an appeal to God's ultimate authority and His covenant faithfulness, making Joshua's subsequent questioning all the more striking as it comes from a place of deep respect mixed with profound confusion.
* **"wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us?":** This is a rhetorical question born of pain and bewilderment. Joshua questions God's very purpose for leading them across the miraculously parted Jordan River. He implies that God's actions have led them into a trap, delivering them not to victory but "into the hand of the Amorites" to be "destroyed." This expresses a profound crisis of faith and understanding, as the current defeat at Ai seems to contradict all of God's previous promises and mighty acts on their behalf, suggesting that God's intentions are now malevolent rather than benevolent.
* **"would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!":** This concluding wish expresses a longing for a perceived easier past, before the challenges of the conquest. "Content" implies a desire for a simpler, less perilous existence, even if it meant remaining in the wilderness or on the eastern side of the Jordan, away from the immediate dangers of the Canaanite nations. It is a desperate wish for an alternative reality, reflecting the immense pressure Joshua feels and his temporary loss of perspective regarding God's ultimate, unfolding plan for Israel to possess the Promised Land.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 7:7 is rich with several literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Lament**, a common form of prayer in the Old Testament where an individual or community expresses deep sorrow, distress, and often questions God in the face of suffering or injustice. Joshua's "Alas, O Lord GOD" immediately signals this genre. Closely related is the **Rhetorical Question** ("wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan...?"), which is not asked for information but to express a strong emotional statement of confusion, accusation, and despair. This question highlights the seeming contradiction between God's past actions and the present reality. There is also an element of **Hyperbole** in Joshua's statement, as he exaggerates the situation ("to destroy us") out of intense fear and emotional pain, even though God had not abandoned them but was purifying them. Finally, a subtle **Irony** is present: Joshua fears being delivered into the hands of the Amorites, yet the true enemy at this moment is not external but internal—the sin within the camp. This irony underscores the spiritual nature of Israel's warfare and the importance of internal purity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua's lament in [Joshua 7:7](/joshua/7-7 "Joshua 7:7 - Joshua's Lament") provides a profound theological lesson on the nature of God's covenant with Israel and the consequences of sin. It demonstrates that God's favor and blessing are conditional upon obedience, even for His chosen people. The defeat at Ai was not an arbitrary act of divine abandonment, but a direct consequence of Achan's sin, which had broken the covenant and "troubled" the camp. This episode powerfully illustrates the corporate solidarity of Israel, where the sin of one can affect the entire community, highlighting the communal responsibility for holiness. Furthermore, it reveals God's commitment to His own holiness and justice, even when it involves painful discipline for His people. Despite Joshua's despair, God's response is not condemnation but a clear path to repentance and restoration, reaffirming His ultimate faithfulness to His promises, even through purification.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Psalm 78:56-58](/psalms/78-56 "Psalm 78:56-58 - Israel's Disobedience and God's Patience")
* [Romans 11:22](/romans/11-22 "Romans 11:22 - God's Goodness and Severity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua's raw, honest lament in [Joshua 7:7](/joshua/7-7 "Joshua 7:7 - Joshua's Lament") offers a powerful model for our own spiritual lives. It reminds us that it is not only permissible but often necessary to bring our deepest fears, doubts, and despair before God. He is big enough to handle our questions, our confusion, and our raw emotions, just as He did Joshua's. This passage challenges us to look beyond immediate circumstances and seek God's perspective when facing setbacks, especially after periods of blessing. Often, difficulties are not a sign of God's abandonment but an invitation to examine our hearts, our communities, and our obedience. Just as God revealed Achan's sin to Joshua, He desires to reveal any hidden sin or disobedience that may be hindering our progress or breaking our fellowship with Him. Ultimately, this passage encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan and His unwavering faithfulness, even when His ways are mysterious or painful, knowing that His ultimate purpose is always our purification and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Joshua's lament encourage you to be more honest and vulnerable in your own prayers to God?**
* **Can you recall a time when a setback led you to question God's purpose, and how did you navigate that period of doubt?**
* **In what ways might the "sin of one" (or a few) impact the broader community or church today, and what is our responsibility in addressing it?**
* **How does understanding God's commitment to holiness, even through discipline, shape your view of His love and justice?**

### FAQ

**Was it wrong for Joshua to question God's purpose in this way?**

Answer: Joshua's lament, while expressing profound despair and questioning God's actions, is not presented as an act of sin but as a genuine, human response to overwhelming crisis. The Bible often portrays God's servants wrestling with Him in prayer, expressing their confusion, pain, and even frustration (e.g., [Job](/job/1 "The Book of Job"), [Psalm 44](/psalms/44 "Psalm 44 - A Lament in National Distress"), [Jeremiah 20:7](/jeremiah/20-7 "Jeremiah 20:7 - Jeremiah's Complaint")). God does not rebuke Joshua for expressing his raw emotions or for asking "why," but rather responds by revealing the true problem (Achan's sin) and providing a solution. This demonstrates that God welcomes our honest prayers, even our laments and doubts, as long as they are rooted in a desire to understand and ultimately obey Him. It highlights the relational aspect of faith, where dialogue, even questioning, is part of a deepening trust.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua's lament in [Joshua 7:7](/joshua/7-7 "Joshua 7:7 - Joshua's Lament") foreshadows the profound intercession and purification work of Christ. Joshua, as the leader of Israel, bears the burden of his people's sin and suffering, crying out to God on their behalf. His anguish over the corporate sin that led to defeat points to the ultimate corporate sin of humanity that led to spiritual death. Just as Joshua sought to identify and remove the "troubler" (Achan) from Israel to restore God's favor, Christ, the true and greater Joshua (Jesus, a Greek form of Joshua), became the ultimate "troubler" in the eyes of the world, taking upon Himself the sin of humanity to remove the barrier between God and His people. His cry on the cross, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), echoes Joshua's lament, yet with a divine purpose—to bear the full wrath of God against sin, thereby purifying His new covenant people. Through Christ's sacrifice, the true "accursed thing" (sin) is dealt with, allowing God's people to enter into their spiritual inheritance and conquer the spiritual enemies that once held them captive, not by their own might, but by the power of the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). The victory that seemed lost for Israel in Joshua's day is eternally secured for the church through Christ's perfect obedience and atoning work, leading us into the true promised land of eternal life ([Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - The True Rest")).

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

2 Kings 3:10

And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!

Hebrews 12:5

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

Joshua 1:2

Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, [even] to the children of Israel.

Joshua 1:4

From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

Exodus 17:3

And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore [is] this [that] thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

Matthew 17:20

And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Numbers 14:3

And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?