Joshua 7:24 - Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his cattle, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Joshua 7:24" mean?
This verse is a pivotal and disturbing moment in the biblical narrative. It describes the consequences of Achan's disobedience in taking forbidden spoils from Jericho. Let's break down the meaning:
"Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah..." This emphasizes the collective action. The entire nation is involved in carrying out the judgment. Achan is identified by his lineage, connecting him to his family and tribe.
"...the silver, the robe, the wedge of gold..." These are the specific items Achan stole from Jericho, violating God's command that everything be devoted to Him (often referred to as "devoted things" or "the ban"). This act of disobedience is seen as a direct defiance of God's authority.
"...his sons, his daughters, his cattle, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had..." This is the most troubling part. Achan's entire family and all his possessions are included in the judgment. This raises significant ethical questions about collective punishment and the responsibility of family members for the sins of an individual. There are different interpretations of this event. Some argue that:
The family was complicit in Achan's sin, perhaps knowing about it and not reporting it.
The possessions, including the animals, were considered tainted by their association with the stolen goods.
The inclusion of the family served as a deterrent to future disobedience.
This is a historical account reflecting the harsh realities of ancient warfare and social norms.
It serves as a stark warning about the consequences of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands.
It is important to note that some biblical scholars debate the literal interpretation of this passage, suggesting that it may be an allegorical representation of the severity of sin and its impact on the community.
"...and they brought them up to the valley of Achor." The "Valley of Achor" means "Valley of Trouble." The name is significant because this valley becomes the place where the consequences of Achan's sin are enacted, and it later becomes a place of hope (Hosea 2:15).
In Summary:
This verse describes the gathering of Achan, his family, and all his possessions to be taken to the Valley of Achor as a consequence of Achan's disobedience. The passage highlights the severity of sin, the importance of obedience to God, and raises complex ethical questions about collective punishment. The location, the Valley of Achor, underscores the "trouble" that sin brings.
Joshua 7:24 - Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his cattle, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor.
What does "Joshua 7:24" mean?
This verse is a pivotal and disturbing moment in the biblical narrative. It describes the consequences of Achan's disobedience in taking forbidden spoils from Jericho. Let's break down the meaning:
"Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah..." This emphasizes the collective action. The entire nation is involved in carrying out the judgment. Achan is identified by his lineage, connecting him to his family and tribe.
"...the silver, the robe, the wedge of gold..." These are the specific items Achan stole from Jericho, violating God's command that everything be devoted to Him (often referred to as "devoted things" or "the ban"). This act of disobedience is seen as a direct defiance of God's authority.
"...his sons, his daughters, his cattle, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that he had..." This is the most troubling part. Achan's entire family and all his possessions are included in the judgment. This raises significant ethical questions about collective punishment and the responsibility of family members for the sins of an individual. There are different interpretations of this event. Some argue that:
The family was complicit in Achan's sin, perhaps knowing about it and not reporting it.
The possessions, including the animals, were considered tainted by their association with the stolen goods.
The inclusion of the family served as a deterrent to future disobedience.
This is a historical account reflecting the harsh realities of ancient warfare and social norms.
It serves as a stark warning about the consequences of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands.
It is important to note that some biblical scholars debate the literal interpretation of this passage, suggesting that it may be an allegorical representation of the severity of sin and its impact on the community.
"...and they brought them up to the valley of Achor." The "Valley of Achor" means "Valley of Trouble." The name is significant because this valley becomes the place where the consequences of Achan's sin are enacted, and it later becomes a place of hope (Hosea 2:15).
In Summary:
This verse describes the gathering of Achan, his family, and all his possessions to be taken to the Valley of Achor as a consequence of Achan's disobedience. The passage highlights the severity of sin, the importance of obedience to God, and raises complex ethical questions about collective punishment. The location, the Valley of Achor, underscores the "trouble" that sin brings.