Joshua 7:17

And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:

And he brought {H7126} the family {H4940} of Judah {H3063}; and he took {H3920} the family {H4940} of the Zarhites {H2227}: and he brought {H7126} the family {H4940} of the Zarhites {H2227} man {H1397} by man {H1397}; and Zabdi {H2067} was taken {H3920}:

He had the families of Y'hudah come forward and took the family of the Zarchi. He had the Zarchi family come forward by household leaders, and Zavdi was taken.

He had the clans of Judah come forward, and the clan of the Zerahites was selected. He had the clan of the Zerahites come forward, and the family of Zabdi was selected.

and he brought near the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zerahites: and he brought near the family of the Zerahites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:

Commentary

Joshua 7:17 details a critical step in the identification process of the individual responsible for Israel's defeat at Ai. Following their miraculous victory at Jericho, Israel suffered an unexpected loss at Ai, which God revealed was due to a trespass concerning the devoted things.

Context

This verse is part of a divinely orchestrated investigation led by Joshua to uncover the sin that brought God's displeasure upon Israel. After the humiliating defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:5), God declared that someone had taken forbidden items from the spoils of Jericho, thereby "troubling" the camp (Joshua 7:11). The process involved narrowing down the culprit by tribe, then by family, then by household, and finally by individual. Verse 17 focuses on the meticulous, divinely guided selection within the tribe of Judah, specifically identifying the family of the Zarhites, and then further pinpointing Zabdi within that family.

Key Themes

  • Divine Revelation of Sin: The passage highlights God's ability to expose hidden sin. Despite Achan's attempt to conceal his transgression, God systematically brought it to light through this lot-casting process.
  • Corporate Responsibility and Individual Accountability: While one man's sin brought judgment upon the entire nation (leading to the defeat at Ai), the process ultimately pinpointed the individual culprit for accountability. This demonstrates how the actions of one member can affect the whole body.
  • God's Justice and Holiness: The methodical identification and subsequent judgment of Achan underscore God's unwavering commitment to justice and the maintenance of holiness within His covenant people. Disobedience, particularly regarding what was "devoted to destruction," carried severe consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated phrase "he brought" (Hebrew: ื™ึทืงึฐืจึตื‘, yaqrev) emphasizes the sequential, deliberate nature of the divine selection process. Each stage narrowed the scope, indicating that God was meticulously guiding the revelation of the offender. The word "taken" (Hebrew: ื•ึทื™ึดึผืœึธึผื›ึตื“, vayyilakhed) signifies that Zabdi was divinely apprehended or caught in this process, indicating the inescapable nature of God's scrutiny.

Practical Application

Joshua 7:17 serves as a powerful reminder that sin, even when hidden, is known to God and can have far-reaching consequences beyond the individual. It encourages believers to:

  • Examine Themselves: To confess and repent of any hidden sin, understanding that nothing is truly hidden from God (Hebrews 4:13).
  • Uphold Purity in Community: Recognize that individual actions can impact the spiritual health and effectiveness of a community or church.
  • Trust God's Justice: Have confidence that God is just and will ultimately bring all things to light, dealing righteously with both sin and faithfulness.
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 26:20 (5 votes)

    And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.

  • 1 Chronicles 2:4 (2 votes)

    And Tamar his daughter in law bare him Pharez and Zerah. All the sons of Judah [were] five.

  • 1 Chronicles 2:7 (2 votes)

    And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed.

  • Genesis 38:30 (2 votes)

    And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.