Joshua 7:21 - When I saw among the plunder a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, with the silver under it.”
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What does "Joshua 7:21" mean?
This verse, Joshua 7:21, is a confession from Achan, a member of the Israelite army, and it describes his act of disobedience that brought disaster upon the Israelites. Let's break down the meaning:
"When I saw among the plunder a beautiful Babylonian robe..." After the Israelites conquered Jericho, they were commanded not to take any plunder for themselves (Joshua 6:18-19). Achan saw a particularly attractive garment from Babylon (Shinar), a region known for its wealth and luxury. This robe represented temptation and the forbidden.
"...two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels..." Achan also saw a substantial amount of silver and gold. These items represented wealth and greed. The specific weights emphasize their significant value.
"...then I coveted them and took them." This is the heart of the problem. Achan's eyes led to covetousness. He desired what was forbidden. "Coveted" means to have a strong desire or longing for something, often something that belongs to another. He succumbed to temptation and actively stole the items. This was a direct violation of God's command.
"Behold, they are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, with the silver under it.” Achan confesses where he hid the stolen goods. This shows his attempt to conceal his sin. Hiding the items in his tent made the entire household guilty of his sin. The fact that he buried them suggests a sense of guilt and a hope that his crime would not be discovered.
In summary, the verse means:
Achan admits that he saw forbidden plunder, was overcome by greed and covetousness, and disobeyed God's command by stealing a Babylonian robe, silver, and gold. He then concealed these items in his tent, attempting to hide his sin.
Significance within the context of Joshua 7:
Achan's sin is the reason why the Israelites were defeated in their next battle at Ai. God withdrew his blessing because of Achan's disobedience. The stolen items were considered devoted (or accursed) to destruction, meaning they were set apart for God and not to be taken for personal gain. By taking them, Achan brought a curse upon himself and the entire nation of Israel.
Joshua 7 highlights the importance of obedience, the consequences of sin, and the corporate responsibility of the people of Israel. Achan's individual act of disobedience had far-reaching consequences for the entire community.
Joshua 7:21 - When I saw among the plunder a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, with the silver under it.”
What does "Joshua 7:21" mean?
This verse, Joshua 7:21, is a confession from Achan, a member of the Israelite army, and it describes his act of disobedience that brought disaster upon the Israelites. Let's break down the meaning:
"When I saw among the plunder a beautiful Babylonian robe..." After the Israelites conquered Jericho, they were commanded not to take any plunder for themselves (Joshua 6:18-19). Achan saw a particularly attractive garment from Babylon (Shinar), a region known for its wealth and luxury. This robe represented temptation and the forbidden.
"...two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels..." Achan also saw a substantial amount of silver and gold. These items represented wealth and greed. The specific weights emphasize their significant value.
"...then I coveted them and took them." This is the heart of the problem. Achan's eyes led to covetousness. He desired what was forbidden. "Coveted" means to have a strong desire or longing for something, often something that belongs to another. He succumbed to temptation and actively stole the items. This was a direct violation of God's command.
"Behold, they are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, with the silver under it.” Achan confesses where he hid the stolen goods. This shows his attempt to conceal his sin. Hiding the items in his tent made the entire household guilty of his sin. The fact that he buried them suggests a sense of guilt and a hope that his crime would not be discovered.
In summary, the verse means:
Achan admits that he saw forbidden plunder, was overcome by greed and covetousness, and disobeyed God's command by stealing a Babylonian robe, silver, and gold. He then concealed these items in his tent, attempting to hide his sin.
Significance within the context of Joshua 7:
Achan's sin is the reason why the Israelites were defeated in their next battle at Ai. God withdrew his blessing because of Achan's disobedience. The stolen items were considered devoted (or accursed) to destruction, meaning they were set apart for God and not to be taken for personal gain. By taking them, Achan brought a curse upon himself and the entire nation of Israel.
Joshua 7 highlights the importance of obedience, the consequences of sin, and the corporate responsibility of the people of Israel. Achan's individual act of disobedience had far-reaching consequences for the entire community.