A'chan. (troubler). An Israelite of the tribe of Judah, who, when Jericho and all that it contained were accursed and devoted to destruction, secreted a portion of the spoil in his tent.
For this sin he was stoned to death with his whole family by the people, in a valley situated between Ai and Jericho, and their remains, together with his property, were burnt. Joshua 7:19-26. From this event the valley received the name of Achor (that is, trouble). See Achor, Valley of. (B.C. 1450).