Bible Commentaries
Joshua 7

Introduction

Overview

Joshua 7:1, The Israelites are smitten at Ai; Joshua 7:6, Joshua’s complaint; Joshua 7:10, God instructs him what to do; Joshua 7:16, Achan is taken by the lot; Joshua 7:19, His confession; Joshua 7:24, He and all he had are destroyed in the valley of Achor.

Verse 1

committed: Joshua 7:20, Joshua 7:21, Joshua 22:16, 2 Chronicles 24:18, Ezra 9:6, Daniel 9:7

for Achan: Joshua 22:20, 1 Chronicles 2:6, 1 Chronicles 2:7, Achar, Zimri

took: Joshua 6:17, Joshua 6:18

the anger: Joshua 22:18, 2 Samuel 24:1, 1 Chronicles 21:7, Ecclesiastes 9:18, Jonah 1:7, 1 Corinthians 5:1-6, Hebrews 12:15, Hebrews 12:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:27 - they Genesis 44:16 - God hath Leviticus 10:6 - lest wrath Leviticus 27:28 - no devoted Numbers 16:22 - one man sin Deuteronomy 7:25 - thou shalt Deuteronomy 7:26 - shalt Deuteronomy 13:17 - cleave Deuteronomy 29:21 - separate Joshua 7:11 - Israel Joshua 7:24 - took Achan 2 Samuel 21:1 - It is 2 Kings 5:24 - and bestowed Job 35:8 - may hurt Proverbs 10:22 - he Micah 6:10 - the treasures Acts 23:12 - under a curse

Verse 2

to Ai: Joshua 12:9, Genesis 12:8, Hai, Nehemiah 11:31, Aija

Bethaven: Joshua 18:12, Genesis 28:19, Hosea 4:15

Go up: Joshua 2:1, Proverbs 20:18, Proverbs 24:6, Matthew 10:16, Ephesians 5:15

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:9 - between Judges 1:23 - sent 1 Samuel 13:5 - Bethaven Ezra 2:28 - Ai Isaiah 10:28 - Aiath Hosea 5:8 - Bethaven Hosea 10:5 - Bethaven

Verse 3

about two: Heb. about 2,000 men, or about 3,000 men, labour. Proverbs 13:4, Proverbs 21:25, Luke 13:24, Hebrews 4:11, Hebrews 6:11, Hebrews 6:12, 2 Peter 1:5, 2 Peter 1:10

Verse 4

fled: Leviticus 26:17, Deuteronomy 28:25, Deuteronomy 32:30, Isaiah 30:17, Isaiah 59:2

Reciprocal: Psalms 89:43 - not made

Verse 5

for they: Deuteronomy 1:44

the going down: or, Morad

wherefore: Joshua 2:9, Joshua 2:11, Joshua 5:1, Leviticus 26:36, Psalms 22:14, Isaiah 13:7

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:45 - the Amalekites Numbers 21:1 - then Joshua 8:5 - as at Joshua 22:20 - General Judges 20:31 - thirty 1 Samuel 4:2 - Israel 2 Samuel 17:9 - some 1 Chronicles 21:7 - he smote Psalms 58:7 - General Psalms 89:43 - not made Ecclesiastes 9:18 - sinner

Verse 6

rent: Genesis 37:29, Genesis 37:34, Numbers 14:6, 2 Samuel 13:31, Ezra 9:3-5, Esther 4:1, Job 1:20, Acts 14:14

fell: Numbers 16:22, Numbers 16:45, 2 Samuel 12:16

until the eventide: Judges 20:23, Judges 20:26, Judges 21:2, 2 Samuel 1:12

put dust: Rending the clothes, beating the breast, tearing the hair, throwing dust upon the head, and falling prostrate, were usual signs of deep affliction and distress among the ancient Israelites. In illustration of this custom, see note on 1 Samuel 4:12, when the messenger brought tidings to Eli of the discomfiture of the armies of Israel by the Philistines; again, in the case of Tamar, 2 Samuel 13:19, and in Nehemiah 9:1, when a whole nation, "assembled with fasting, and with sackcloth, and earth upon them." In the case of Mordecai, see note on Esther 4:1. See note on Job 2:12, where his friends abased themselves to comfort him. See note on Ezekiel 27:30, see note on Jonah 3:6, and see note on Micah 1:10. In each of these instances it is worthy of remark, that putting dust on the head generally follows rending of the clothes, and was the usual mode of evincing poignant sorrow.

Reciprocal: Genesis 17:17 - fell Numbers 20:6 - they fell Joshua 7:10 - liest Joshua 8:1 - Fear not 2 Samuel 1:2 - clothes 2 Samuel 3:31 - Rend 1 Kings 18:42 - he cast himself Lamentations 2:10 - cast up Lamentations 3:39 - a man Ezekiel 9:8 - that I Ezekiel 11:13 - Then Revelation 18:19 - they cast

Verse 7

wherefore: Exodus 5:22, Exodus 5:23, Numbers 14:3, 2 Kings 3:10, Psalms 116:11, Jeremiah 12:1, Jeremiah 12:2, Hebrews 12:5

to deliver: Exodus 14:11, Exodus 14:12, Exodus 17:3, Numbers 20:4, Numbers 20:5, Matthew 17:17, Matthew 17:20, Mark 8:17, Mark 8:18

would to: Exodus 16:3

and dwelt: Joshua 1:2-4

Reciprocal: Numbers 32:5 - bring us Deuteronomy 9:28 - Because Joshua 8:1 - Fear not Judges 20:28 - Shall I yet Judges 21:3 - why is Psalms 44:15 - confusion Isaiah 26:18 - we have not Jeremiah 45:3 - added Luke 13:8 - let 2 Corinthians 11:1 - Would

Verse 8

what shall: Ezra 9:10, Habakkuk 2:1, Romans 3:5, Romans 3:6

backs: Heb. necks

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:13 - Then the Numbers 14:42 - General Deuteronomy 1:42 - for I am not 1 Samuel 17:26 - reproach 2 Samuel 11:25 - for the sword 1 Kings 8:33 - smitten down 1 Kings 17:20 - hast thou also 1 Kings 20:28 - therefore will 2 Chronicles 6:24 - put to the worse 2 Chronicles 14:11 - man Job 23:4 - fill my mouth Psalms 44:10 - Thou Psalms 89:43 - not made Isaiah 37:20 - that all Isaiah 38:15 - What Jeremiah 52:7 - all the men

Verse 9

shall hear: Exodus 32:12, Numbers 14:13

environ: Psalms 83:4, Psalms 124:2, Psalms 124:3

what wilt thou: Deuteronomy 32:26, Deuteronomy 32:27, Psalms 106:6-8, Ezekiel 20:9, Ezekiel 36:22, Ezekiel 36:23, Joel 2:17, John 12:28

Reciprocal: Numbers 14:16 - General Joshua 8:1 - Fear not Ruth 4:10 - the name 1 Samuel 4:13 - his heart 1 Samuel 12:22 - for his great 1 Samuel 17:26 - reproach 2 Samuel 7:23 - make him 2 Samuel 11:25 - for the sword 1 Kings 8:42 - great name 1 Kings 17:20 - hast thou also 1 Kings 20:28 - therefore will 2 Kings 19:19 - O Lord 2 Chronicles 14:11 - man Job 23:4 - fill my mouth Psalms 13:4 - Lest Psalms 31:3 - for thy Psalms 48:10 - According Psalms 69:18 - because Psalms 79:9 - for thy Psalms 106:8 - he saved Psalms 115:1 - unto us Isaiah 37:20 - that all Isaiah 48:9 - my name's Isaiah 48:19 - his name Jeremiah 14:7 - do Ezekiel 36:20 - These

Verse 10

wherefore: Exodus 14:15, 1 Samuel 15:22, 1 Samuel 16:1, 1 Chronicles 22:16

liest: Heb. fallest, Joshua 7:6

Reciprocal: Genesis 42:1 - Why do ye Numbers 14:5 - General Joshua 20:1 - spake Ezra 10:4 - Arise Jonah 1:7 - for Haggai 1:9 - Because

Verse 11

Israel: Joshua 7:1, Joshua 7:20, Joshua 7:21

transgressed: Joshua 23:16, Deuteronomy 17:2, Judges 2:20, 2 Kings 18:12, Isaiah 24:5, Isaiah 50:1, Isaiah 50:2, Jeremiah 31:32, Hosea 6:7

the accursed: Joshua 7:21, Joshua 6:17-19

stolen: Malachi 3:8, Malachi 3:9, Matthew 22:21

dissembled: 2 Kings 5:25, 2 Kings 5:26, John 12:5, John 12:6, Acts 5:1, Acts 5:2, Acts 5:9, Hebrews 4:13

among: Leviticus 5:15, Habakkuk 2:6, Zechariah 5:4

Reciprocal: Genesis 45:20 - stuff Leviticus 4:13 - through ignorance Leviticus 10:6 - lest wrath Leviticus 27:28 - no devoted Numbers 14:45 - the Amalekites Deuteronomy 2:34 - utterly destroyed Deuteronomy 7:26 - shalt Deuteronomy 23:9 - General Joshua 6:18 - lest ye make Joshua 7:13 - an accursed Joshua 7:15 - he hath Joshua 7:25 - Why hast Joshua 22:18 - he will be 2 Samuel 21:1 - It is 1 Kings 8:33 - because they have 2 Kings 5:24 - and bestowed 1 Chronicles 2:7 - accursed 2 Chronicles 6:24 - because 2 Chronicles 20:37 - Because Job 31:33 - covered Proverbs 15:27 - He that is Ecclesiastes 9:18 - sinner Isaiah 59:2 - your iniquities Jeremiah 34:18 - have transgressed Malachi 1:14 - cursed 1 Timothy 6:9 - they

Verse 12

the children: Joshua 22:18-20, Numbers 14:45, Judges 2:4, Psalms 5:4, Psalms 5:5, Proverbs 28:1, Isaiah 59:2, Habakkuk 1:13

they were: Joshua 6:18, Deuteronomy 7:26, Haggai 2:13, Haggai 2:14

neither: Jeremiah 6:8, Jeremiah 23:33, Hosea 9:12

Reciprocal: Leviticus 20:4 - and kill Leviticus 26:37 - and ye shall Numbers 14:42 - General Numbers 25:13 - atonement Deuteronomy 21:23 - he that is hanged is accursed of God Deuteronomy 25:19 - thou shalt Judges 1:19 - but could Judges 2:14 - could not Judges 16:20 - the Lord 1 Samuel 4:2 - Israel 2 Samuel 21:1 - It is 1 Kings 8:33 - because they have 2 Kings 5:24 - and bestowed 2 Chronicles 6:24 - because 2 Chronicles 20:37 - Because Psalms 44:10 - Thou Psalms 60:10 - didst Psalms 106:30 - General Proverbs 15:27 - He that is Ecclesiastes 9:18 - sinner Lamentations 1:6 - her princes Jonah 1:12 - for Malachi 1:14 - cursed Malachi 3:9 - General Acts 5:2 - kept Galatians 5:12 - cut

Verse 13

sanctify: Joshua 3:5, Exodus 19:10-15, Lamentations 3:40, Lamentations 3:41, Joel 2:16, Joel 2:17, Zephaniah 2:1, Zephaniah 2:2

an accursed: Joshua 7:11, 2 Chronicles 28:10, Matthew 7:5

take away: 1 Corinthians 5:1-6, 1 Corinthians 5:11-13

Reciprocal: Exodus 32:1 - Up Leviticus 26:37 - and ye shall Numbers 11:18 - Sanctify Numbers 16:26 - I pray you Judges 2:14 - could not Judges 4:14 - Up 1 Samuel 9:26 - Up 1 Samuel 16:5 - sanctify yourselves 1 Chronicles 21:7 - he smote Job 22:23 - thou shalt Proverbs 3:33 - curse Ecclesiastes 7:25 - know Lamentations 1:6 - her princes Jonah 1:7 - for Malachi 3:9 - General

Verse 14

the tribe: Joshua 7:17, Joshua 7:18, 1 Samuel 10:19-21, 1 Samuel 14:38-42, Proverbs 16:33, Jonah 1:7, Acts 1:24-26

Reciprocal: Exodus 12:3 - an house Joshua 7:16 - and brought

Verse 15

he that is: Joshua 7:25, Joshua 7:26, Deuteronomy 13:15, Deuteronomy 13:16, 1 Samuel 14:38, 1 Samuel 14:39

he hath: Joshua 7:11

wrought: Genesis 34:7, Judges 20:6, 1 Samuel 26:21, 2 Samuel 13:13

folly: or, wickedness

Reciprocal: Leviticus 20:14 - burnt Leviticus 21:9 - she shall be burnt Deuteronomy 17:2 - in transgressing Joshua 6:18 - lest ye make Judges 19:23 - do not this folly Acts 23:12 - under a curse

Verse 16

rose up: Joshua 3:1, Genesis 22:3, Psalms 119:60, Ecclesiastes 9:10

and brought: Joshua 7:14

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:10 - rose up Joshua 18:8 - that I may here Judges 20:19 - rose up 1 Samuel 10:20 - caused 1 Samuel 14:41 - And Saul Ezekiel 24:6 - let no

Verse 17

Genesis 38:30, Zarah, Numbers 26:20, 1 Chronicles 2:4-7

Reciprocal: Genesis 3:9 - General Joshua 7:14 - the tribe Joshua 18:25 - Ramah 1 Chronicles 2:6 - General

Verse 18

was taken: Numbers 32:23, 1 Samuel 14:42, Proverbs 13:21, Jeremiah 2:26, Acts 5:1-10

Reciprocal: Genesis 44:16 - God hath Joshua 7:14 - the tribe Joshua 22:20 - General 1 Chronicles 2:6 - General Jonah 1:7 - and the

Verse 19

My son: 2 Timothy 2:25, Titus 2:2, James 1:20, 1 Peter 3:8, 1 Peter 3:9

give: 1 Samuel 6:5, Isaiah 13:12, Jeremiah 13:16, Luke 17:18, John 9:24, Revelation 16:9

make: Numbers 5:6, Numbers 5:7, 2 Chronicles 30:22, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:13, Ezra 10:10, Ezra 10:11, Psalms 32:5, Psalms 51:3, Proverbs 28:13, Jeremiah 3:12, Jeremiah 3:13, Daniel 9:4, Romans 10:10, 1 John 1:8-10

tell me: 1 Samuel 14:43, Jonah 1:8-10

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:10 - What Genesis 12:18 - General Genesis 31:26 - What Genesis 43:29 - God Exodus 32:21 - General Leviticus 5:5 - confess Leviticus 26:40 - confess 1 Samuel 4:16 - my son 1 Samuel 13:11 - What hast 2 Kings 20:15 - All the things Isaiah 39:4 - All that Daniel 4:2 - I thought it good Malachi 2:2 - to give Matthew 3:6 - confessing Mark 1:5 - confessing Luke 23:41 - we indeed Revelation 11:13 - gave Revelation 14:7 - give

Verse 20

Indeed: Genesis 42:21, Exodus 10:16, Numbers 22:34, 1 Samuel 15:24, 1 Samuel 15:30, Job 7:20, Job 33:27, Psalms 38:18, Matthew 27:4

Reciprocal: Joshua 7:1 - committed Joshua 7:11 - Israel Jonah 1:12 - for Matthew 13:22 - the care Matthew 26:9 - General Luke 23:41 - we indeed

Verse 21

I saw: Genesis 3:6, Genesis 6:2, 2 Samuel 11:2, Job 31:1, Psalms 119:37, Proverbs 23:31, Proverbs 28:22, Matthew 5:28, Matthew 5:29, 1 John 2:15, 1 John 2:16

Babylonish garment: Addereth shinâr, "a splendid or costly robe of Shinar," the plain in which Babylon stood. Bochart and Calmet have shewn at large, that Babylonish robes were very splendid, and in high reputation. Calmet says, they are generally allowed to have been of various colours, though some suppose they were woven thus; others, that they were embroidered with the needle; and others, that they were painted. Silius Italicus seems to think they were woven. Martial supposes them to have been embroidered with the needle; and Pliny and Apuleius speak of them as painted. Genesis 10:10, *marg.

wedge: Heb. tongue

I coveted: Exodus 20:17, Deuteronomy 7:25, 1 Kings 21:1, 1 Kings 21:2, 2 Kings 5:20-27, Habakkuk 2:9, Luke 12:15, Romans 7:7, Romans 7:8, Ephesians 5:3, Colossians 3:5, 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 Timothy 6:10, Hebrews 13:5, 2 Peter 2:15

took them: Proverbs 4:23, Micah 2:1, Micah 2:2, James 1:15

they are hid: 2 Samuel 11:6-17, 2 Kings 5:24, 2 Kings 5:25, Isaiah 28:15, Isaiah 29:15, Luke 12:2

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:27 - they Leviticus 14:35 - a plague Joshua 7:1 - committed Joshua 7:11 - Israel Joshua 22:18 - he will be 1 Samuel 15:9 - the best 2 Kings 7:8 - hid it Ecclesiastes 5:11 - what Ecclesiastes 11:9 - in the sight Jeremiah 22:17 - thine eyes Jonah 1:12 - for Matthew 13:22 - the care Matthew 26:9 - General Acts 1:18 - with James 1:14 - when

Verse 22

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 25:19 - thou shalt

Verse 23

laid them out: Heb. poured, Joshua 7:23

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:37 - set it here Numbers 16:26 - I pray you

Verse 24

took Achan: Joshua 7:1, Job 20:15, Proverbs 15:27, Ecclesiastes 5:13, Ezekiel 22:13, Ezekiel 22:14, 1 Timothy 6:9, 1 Timothy 6:10

his sons: Joshua 6:18, Joshua 6:21, Genesis 18:25, Exodus 20:5, Numbers 16:27-31, Job 20:23-28

the valley: Joshua 7:26, Joshua 15:7, Isaiah 65:10, Hosea 2:15

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:13 - through ignorance Joshua 22:20 - General Judges 21:10 - Go and smite 1 Kings 21:13 - they carried him 2 Kings 10:6 - your master's sons Proverbs 11:29 - that Jeremiah 29:32 - punish Jeremiah 32:18 - recompensest Daniel 6:24 - their children Jonah 1:15 - they Acts 8:20 - Thy Hebrews 13:12 - suffered

Verse 25

Why hast: Joshua 7:11-13, Joshua 6:18, Genesis 34:30, 1 Kings 18:17, 1 Kings 18:18, 1 Chronicles 2:7, Habakkuk 2:6-9, Galatians 5:12, 2 Thessalonians 1:6, Hebrews 12:15

all Israel: Leviticus 20:2, Leviticus 24:14, Deuteronomy 13:10, Deuteronomy 17:5, Deuteronomy 21:21, Deuteronomy 22:21-24

burned: Joshua 7:15, Genesis 38:24, Leviticus 20:14, Leviticus 21:9

Reciprocal: Genesis 20:9 - What hast Leviticus 27:28 - no devoted Numbers 15:36 - General Numbers 25:4 - that the fierce Numbers 25:11 - turned my Joshua 7:26 - Achor 1 Kings 21:13 - they carried him 2 Kings 5:27 - leprosy 2 Kings 10:6 - your master's sons Proverbs 11:29 - that Proverbs 15:27 - He that is Jeremiah 29:32 - punish Daniel 6:24 - their children Jonah 1:10 - Why Acts 5:4 - why Acts 8:20 - Thy Galatians 6:17 - let

Verse 26

raised: Joshua 8:29, Joshua 10:27, 2 Samuel 18:17, Lamentations 3:53

So the Lord: Deuteronomy 13:17, 2 Samuel 21:14, Isaiah 40:2, Joel 2:13, Joel 2:18, John 3:9, John 3:10, Zechariah 6:8

The valley: Joshua 7:24, Isaiah 65:10, Hosea 2:15

Achor: that is, Trouble, Joshua 7:25

Reciprocal: Genesis 31:46 - Gather Exodus 32:12 - Turn from Numbers 25:4 - that the fierce Numbers 25:11 - turned my Joshua 7:15 - he that is Joshua 15:7 - the valley Judges 2:5 - Bochim Judges 7:25 - rock Ezra 10:14 - the fierce Acts 5:4 - why Hebrews 12:15 - trouble