ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Joshua 7

Josh. 7:1–26 Chapter 7 tells how Joshua launches an unsuccessful attack on the city of Ai. There is no mention either of a divine order to do so or of anyone inquiring of the Lord about the proposed action.

Josh. 7:1 But the people of Israel broke faith. See note on 1 Chron. 2:3–8. While Achan is the actual sinner, Israel as a covenant community is held responsible for sin in its midst. The anger of the Lord leads to Israel’s first defeat in Canaan. Despite his fine Israelite pedigree (of the tribe of Judah), Achan’s sin harms his family and his people.

Josh. 7:2–5 For a second time (see 2:1) Joshua sent men to spy out the land. But this spying mission proves disastrous, and in the battle thirty-six of their men die. As a result, the hearts of the people melted and became as water. This recalls earlier descriptions of Canaanite morale when they heard news of the approaching Israelites (2:11; 5:1).

Josh. 7:6–9 After tearing his clothes (a sign of distress and mourning; see Gen. 37:29, 34), Joshua challenges God: If God’s promises fail, Joshua insists, it will damage your great name. On the issue of Israel’s fate and the Lord’s reputation, see Num. 14:13–16; Deut. 9:26–29.

Josh. 7:10–12 Get up! . . . Israel has sinned. The Lord focuses on the real reason for Israel’s defeat. They have transgressed my covenant. They have taken some of the devoted things (see note on 6:17–18), stolen, lied, and put them among their own belongings. All of these things are explicitly forbidden in the Law of Moses (Deut. 7:25–26). When God assured Joshua of victory in Canaan (Josh. 1:7–8), he made it clear that the people needed to follow his law for this to happen.

Josh. 7:13 Consecrate yourselves. See note on 3:5.

Josh. 7:14 takes by lot. It is likely that God indicated his choice by lot (or by Urim and Thummim; see note on 1 Sam. 14:41–42).

Josh. 7:15 The sinful one makes himself and all that he has liable to the same treatment that the devoted things would receive. The “devoted things” are “all that is within” Jericho, which was to be “devoted” to the Lord for “destruction” (see 6:17–18 and note).

Josh. 7:19 Joshua’s demand that Achan give glory to the Lord God and give praise to him is probably not commanding worship but preparing Achan to tell me now what you have done. The word “praise” can imply confession as well as adoration.

Josh. 7:21 The five pounds of silver and a pound and a quarter of gold that Achan saw among the spoil is worth about what an average worker would have earned in a lifetime.

Josh. 7:24–26 The word them (vv. 24, 25) might well include Achan’s children, but this is uncertain. Verse 15 only says “all that he has” and this could be what “them” refers to. all Israel stoned him. This execution involved the entire community because everyone had been defiled and needed to be purified. It also freed any individual from acting as sole executioner. The heap of stones over Achan will remind Israel of its potential for unfaithfulness and of the dire consequences of such apostasy.