Defeat at Ai and Achan's Sin Revealed
Joshua 7:1-26
Jos.7.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וימעלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעל: PREP
- בחרם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עכן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כרמי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זבדי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למטה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מן: PREP
- החרם: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- ויחר: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- אף: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,const
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.6:18-19 (verbal): The preceding command about the herem (devoted things) and prohibition against taking spoil; provides the direct legal/command context that Achan violates.
- Josh.7:11 (structural): Immediate explanation within the same chapter: God declares Israel has sinned by taking of the accursed thing, which is why His anger burned.
- 1 Sam.15:9-11 (thematic): Saul spares the best of the spoil despite the command of herem; God is angry (and Samuel says the Lord regrets/has rejected Saul) — a parallel case of taking devoted booty and incurring divine wrath.
- Exod.32:25-29 (thematic): Corporate sin over sacred violation (the golden calf) produces God's anger and violent retribution among the people — thematically similar consequences for covenant-breaking and profaning holy obligations.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the Israelites committed a trespass concerning the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi son of Zebdi son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things, and the LORD's anger burned against the Israelites.
- But the people of Israel violated the ban (herem); Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the banned things, and the anger of the LORD burned against Israel.
Jos.7.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מיריחו: PREP
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עם: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- און: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מקדם: PREP
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- אל: NEG
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- עלו: PREP+3ms_suff
- ורגלו: VERB,qal,imper,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וירגלו: VERB,pi'el,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 2:1 (verbal): Joshua likewise sends men as spies (to Jericho); parallels in action and language (sending/espionage) immediately prior in the conquest narrative.
- Numbers 13:1-2,17-20 (thematic): Moses sends twelve scouts to explore Canaan—earlier paradigm for sending reconnaissance into the land, both procedure and purpose echo in Joshua’s mission.
- Judges 18:2 (thematic): The Danites send five men to spy out Laish; similar motif of a tribe/leader dispatching scouts to investigate nearby towns and territory.
- Deuteronomy 1:22-23 (allusion): The Israelites’ request to send men to search the land (and the subsequent report) is an earlier legal/traditional background for the practice of sending spies in settlement contexts.
- Joshua 8:9 (structural): The later account of the battle of Ai mentions an ambush placed 'between Bethel and Ai'—the same geographic linkage (Ai near Bethel) and continuation of the campaign described in 7:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and he said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." So the men went up and spied out Ai.
- And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethel to the east, and said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." So the men went up and spied out Ai.
Jos.7.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמרו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- אליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יעל: VERB,qal,impf,juss,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כאלפים: PREP+NUM,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- או: CONJ
- כשלשת: PREP+NUM
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יעלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- תיגע: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- שמה: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- מעט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 7:4–5 (verbal): Immediate narrative continuation of the same episode (the limited number who went up against Ai and the ensuing rout), illustrating the consequence of sending only a small force.
- Joshua 8:2–3 (structural): Godʼs later instruction to Joshua to take all the fighting men and attack Ai; contrasts the earlier human reluctance to commit the full force and shows the corrected military plan under divine direction.
- Judges 7:2 (thematic): God tells Gideon the people are still too many and instructs a reduction of forces before battle—parallel concern with the size and composition of the fighting force and theological emphasis on Godʼs role in victory.
- Deuteronomy 20:5–8 (structural): Regulations for who may be excused from battle (newly married, newly built house, fearful men), providing a legal/structural background for selecting which Israelites should go to war and which should remain behind.
Alternative generated candidates
- They returned to Joshua and said, "Do not let all the people go up; let about two or three thousand men go up and strike Ai; do not make all the people toil there, for they are few."
- They returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not all the people go up? For about two or three thousand men will suffice to take Ai and put it to the sword; do not weary all the people there, for they are few."
Jos.7.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שמה: ADV
- כשלשת: NUM,card,sg
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וינסו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Numbers 14:45 (thematic): Israelites attack Canaanite foes presumptuously and are routed—men flee before the enemy, paralleling Joshua 7:4’s flight and defeat resulting from disobedience.
- Judges 7:22 (thematic): By contrast, Gideon’s small force causes the enemy to flee; thematically related as a military rout/flight motif emphasizing that victory depends on divine direction.
- 1 Samuel 4:10–11 (thematic): Israel suffers a crushing defeat in battle with many killed and the people routed before their foes—another instance where Israel’s military collapse is tied to reversal/judgment.
- Joshua 7:11 (structural): Immediate theological explanation within the same narrative: God identifies Israel’s sin (the taken devoted thing) as the cause of the defeat and flight described in Joshua 7:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai.
- So about three thousand men of the people went up there, but they fled before the men of Ai.
Jos.7.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העי: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כשלשים: PREP+NUM,card,pl
- וששה: CONJ+NUM,card,pl
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירדפום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- השער: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- השברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויכום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- במורד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימס: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לבב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- למים: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 6:20 (structural): Immediate literary contrast: Jericho's decisive victory (obedience leads to success) contrasts with the rout at Ai described in 7:5, highlighting the link between Israel's covenant faithfulness and military outcome.
- Joshua 7:1-2 (verbal): Direct contextual parallel: these verses explain the cause of the defeat at Ai—Achan's sin and the LORD's anger—making 7:5 part of the same narrative explanation for the rout and melting of the people's hearts.
- Joshua 8:1-2 (structural): Follow-up parallel: after addressing the sin, God commands a renewed, successful attack on Ai; this shows the narrative pair of defeat (7:5) and restoration/victory when disobedience is dealt with.
- Judges 7:22 (thematic): Parallel theme of battlefield rout: when Israel acts under God’s direction (here Gideon’s victory), the enemy is put to flight and routed—contrast to Joshua 7:5 where lack of obedience leads to Israel’s collapse.
- 1 Samuel 14:15 (thematic): Similar depiction of panic and rout caused in battle—here the LORD throws the enemy into confusion and Israel pursues—parallels the imagery of a collapsing, fleeing army and melted courage in Joshua 7:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the men of Ai struck about thirty-six of them, and they chased them before the gate as far as the quarry; they struck them down on the descent, and the hearts of the people melted and became like water.
- And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down at the descent; the hearts of the people melted and became like water.
Jos.7.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרע: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמלתיו: NOUN,f,pl,poss:3,m,abs
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- ארצה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- הערב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וזקני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עפר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ראשם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,3,pl
Parallels
- Job 1:20 (verbal): Job tears his robe and falls to the ground after hearing calamity—same verbal motif of tearing garments and prostration in response to disaster.
- Genesis 37:34-35 (verbal): Jacob tears his clothes and puts on sackcloth, mourning the apparent loss of Joseph—an earlier instance of tearing garments as mourning.
- 2 Samuel 1:11-12 (verbal): David and his men tear their clothes and lament until evening over Saul and Jonathan—corporate leaders publicly tearing garments and mourning, paralleling Joshua and the elders.
- Ezra 9:3-5 (verbal): Ezra tears his garments, pulls hair from his head and beard, and sits appalled on hearing Israel’s sin—similar physical signs of distress and repentance.
- Nehemiah 9:1-2 (thematic): The people gather in fasting, wearing sackcloth and putting dust on their heads for confession and mourning—echoes the corporate penitential posture (dust on head, until evening) found in Joshua 7:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell on his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.
- Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.
Jos.7.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אהה: INTJ
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- למה: ADV
- העברת: VERB,hif,perf,2,m,sg
- העביר: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- אתנו: PRON,1,pl
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- האמרי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- להאבידנו: VERB,hif,inf+1pl
- ולו: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- הואלנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+1pl
- ונשב: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,pl
- בעבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 1:26-28 (verbal): Israelites earlier murmur that the LORD brought them out only to be destroyed—language and complaint closely parallel Joshua’s question about God bringing the people over the Jordan to be given into enemy hands.
- Numbers 14:2-4 (verbal): After the spies’ report the people lament and express a wish to return (’Would God we had died... let us choose a captain, and return to Egypt’), echoing Joshua’s regretful wish that they had remained beyond the Jordan.
- Psalm 44:9-12 (thematic): A communal lament that God has rejected and handed Israel over to enemies; thematically parallels Joshua’s sense of divine abandonment and defeat.
- 1 Samuel 13:11-14 (thematic): Samuel’s rebuke to Saul highlights leaders’ temptation to explain military failure by circumstance while Scripture links defeat to disobedience—parallels Joshua’s anguished question prior to the revelation of Achan’s sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua said, "Alas, Sovereign LORD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would it not have been better for us to remain on the other side of the Jordan?
- And Joshua said, "Alas, O Sovereign LORD, why have you brought this people across the Jordan to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to remain beyond the Jordan!"
Jos.7.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הפך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ערף: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- איביו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:3ms
Parallels
- Judges 2:11-15 (thematic): The cycle: Israel does evil in the sight of the LORD, so he gives them into the hand of their enemies — same theme of national defeat explained as divine punishment for sin.
- Deuteronomy 28:25 (verbal): Part of the covenant curses warning that disobedience will bring defeat and humiliation before enemies — background legal/theological frame for Joshua’s rebuke that Israel’s defeat results from sin.
- Acts 5:1-11 (thematic): The hidden sin of members of the community (Ananias and Sapphira) brings immediate divine judgment on the assembly — parallels Achan’s secret theft causing communal calamity and God’s direct intervention.
- 2 Samuel 21:1-6 (structural): A national calamity (famine) is traced to a past wrong (Saul’s actions), and resolution requires identifying and executing culprits — parallels Joshua’s discovery and punishment of Achan to remove God’s displeasure.
Alternative generated candidates
- O LORD, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back before its enemies?
- O LORD, what can I say, for Israel has turned its back before its enemies?
Jos.7.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הכנעני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ונסבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עלינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- והכריתו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- שמנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+1,pl
- מן: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ומה: CONJ+PRON,int
- תעשה: VERB,qal,imf,2,m,sg
- לשמך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+2,m,sg
- הגדול: ADJ,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 28:37 (thematic): Warning that Israel will become an astonishment, proverb, and byword among the nations—parallel idea of being cut off and shamed before surrounding peoples.
- Ezekiel 36:20-23 (thematic): Nations see Israel’s defilement and say God’s name is profaned; God responds to restore and sanctify His name—directly engages the concern for God’s ‘great name.’
- Psalm 79:9-10 (thematic): Prayer for help ‘for the glory of your name’ and lament that nations ask ‘Where is their God?’ — echoes Joshua’s fear of dishonoring God’s name before other peoples.
- Psalm 44:13-14 (thematic): Speaks of Israel becoming a reproach and byword among neighboring nations—parallels the shame and loss of reputation Joshua fears.
- Isaiah 52:5-6 (thematic): God’s rhetorical complaint about His people being taken away and the need for vindication of His reputation before the nations—resonates with the concern for God’s great name in Joshua 7:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- The Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and cut off our name from the earth; and what will you do for your great name?"
- The Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it; they will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. What will you do for your great name?"
Jos.7.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- למה: ADV
- זה: PRON,dem,m,sg
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- נפל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- פניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Joshua 5:13-15 (structural): Joshua falls on his face before a heavenly figure and is addressed by a divine messenger—parallel setting of prostration and a direct divine word to the leader.
- Genesis 17:3 (verbal): Abram 'fell on his face' before God and then receives God's spoken instructions—same idiom of prostration preceding divine speech.
- Daniel 10:9-12 (thematic): Daniel falls on his face at a vision and an angel touches and commands/encourages him to stand and be strong—similar motif of prostration followed by a divine exhortation to rise.
- 1 Kings 19:5-7 (thematic): Elijah lies down exhausted and an angel wakes him with the command to arise and eat—comparable scene where a heavenly voice rouses a prostrate servant to action.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD said to Joshua, "Get up; why do you lie thus on your face?
- And the LORD said to Joshua, "Get up; why are you lying on your face?"
Jos.7.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- חטא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וגם: CONJ
- עברו: VERB,qal,imp,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- בריתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss1,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- וגם: CONJ
- לקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- החרם: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- וגם: CONJ
- גנבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וגם: CONJ
- כחשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וגם: CONJ
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בכליהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3,m,pl
Parallels
- Josh.6:18-19 (structural): Immediate narrative and command regarding the herem at Jericho—Israel was commanded not to take devoted things, the very prohibition violated in 7:11.
- Deut.7:25-26 (verbal): Warns against bringing or keeping cursed/devoted objects and prescribes their destruction; language and concern about 'devoted'/'cursed' things parallels the charge in Joshua 7:11.
- Deut.13:16-17 (verbal): Prescribes putting a city and its goods under the ban (herem) and destroying them; provides the legal/background concept of devoted things that Israel is accused of taking in 7:11.
- 1 Sam.15:9–11,22–23 (thematic): Saul spares and takes the best of the spoil contrary to a divine command and is rebuked—parallels the theme of failing to carry out the ban, taking devoted spoil, and incurring divine wrath.
Alternative generated candidates
- Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen; they have lied; they have put them among their own belongings.
- And he said, "Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken some of the ban, stolen, dealt treacherously, and put it among their own possessions.
Jos.7.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- יכלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקום: VERB,qal,inf
- לפני: PREP
- איביהם: NOUN,m,pl,suff_3mp
- ערף: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- יפנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- איביהם: NOUN,m,pl,suff_3mp
- כי: CONJ
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לחרם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- אוסיף: VERB,qal,impf,1,m,sg
- להיות: VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- עמכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- אם: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תשמידו: VERB,hiph,impf,2,m,pl
- החרם: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- מקרבכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,suff_2mp
Parallels
- Joshua 6:17-19 (structural): The original herem/ban on Jericho: the city and its spoil were devoted to the LORD and Israelites were forbidden to take any of it—this is the command violated that produces the 'accursed' status mentioned in Josh 7:12.
- Joshua 7:1 (structural): Immediate narrative parallel within the same episode: Israel 'transgressed' by taking devoted things (Achan's sin), which directly explains why Israel could not stand before its enemies.
- Deuteronomy 7:26 (verbal): Uses similar language about forbidden/accursed things ('for it is an abomination... it is a cursed thing') and warns against bringing such items into Israel's midst, echoing the concept of contamination by the herem.
- 1 Samuel 15:22-23 (thematic): Saul's failure to carry out the divine ban leads to God's rejection of his leadership—parallels the consequence in Josh 7:12 that God will not be with Israel until the accursed is removed.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore the Israelites cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become devoted. I will not be with you anymore unless you remove the devoted thing from among you.
- Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become subject to the ban. I will not be with you any more unless you take away the ban from among you.
Jos.7.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- קדש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- התקדשו: VERB,hitpael,impv,2,m,pl
- למחר: PREP
- כי: CONJ
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חרם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בקרבך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs,prs:2ms
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תוכל: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לקום: VERB,qal,inf
- לפני: PREP
- איביך: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עד: PREP
- הסירכם: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg+obj,2,m,pl
- החרם: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- מקרבכם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+suffix,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Josh.6:17-19 (verbal): Same context of herem (the ban) and the command to sanctify the people before dealing with devoted things—both passages treat the need to remove the accursed thing to secure victory.
- Deut.20:16-18 (verbal): Prescribes the wartime practice of devoting certain peoples and their possessions to destruction (herem), echoing the juridical/ritual language behind Joshua’s injunction to remove the accursed thing.
- 1 Sam.15:3,9-11 (thematic): God’s command to Saul to utterly destroy Amalek (herem) and Saul’s failure to do so; like Achan’s sin, disobedience regarding the ban brings divine judgment and loss of standing before enemies.
- Judg.2:1-3 (thematic): The angel’s rebuke that Israel failed to drive out the inhabitants of the land and therefore would suffer their consequences—parallels Joshua’s link between uncleansed sin/remaining accursed things and military defeat.
Alternative generated candidates
- Up! Consecrate the people and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: A devoted thing is among you, Israel; you shall not stand before your enemies until you remove the devoted thing from among you.
- Up! Consecrate the people, and say, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: There is a ban among you, Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the ban from among you.'"
Jos.7.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונקרבתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl,pref:v
- בבקר: PREP
- לשבטיכם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,mp
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- השבט: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ילכדנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יקרב: VERB,qal,impr,3,m,sg
- למשפחות: NOUN,f,pl,abs,prep:l
- והמשפחה: NOUN,f,sg,def,pref:v
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ילכדנה: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- תקרב: VERB,qal,imperfect,2,m,sg
- לבתים: NOUN,m,pl,abs,prep:l
- והבית: NOUN,m,sg,def,pref:v
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ילכדנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- יקרב: VERB,qal,impr,3,m,sg
- לגברים: NOUN,m,pl,abs,prep:l
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 10:20-24 (structural): Samuel narrows the people by lot—tribe, then family, then household, then individual—to identify Saul; same stepwise casting/selection procedure as Joshua 7:14.
- Joshua 18:8-10 (structural): Joshua casts lots to assign the remaining land among the tribes and families, using the tribal/family/household ordering that parallels the procedure in Josh 7:14.
- Numbers 1:2-3 (structural): The census instructions organize Israel 'by their families, by the house of their fathers' (tribe → family → household), reflecting the same hierarchical ordering seen in Josh 7:14.
- 1 Chronicles 24:5-19 (thematic): The priestly divisions are distributed by lot among clans and households; thematically parallels the use of lot and the subdivision into families/households to determine roles or culpability.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the morning you shall come near by your tribes; and the tribe that the LORD takes shall come near by clans; and the clan that the LORD takes shall come near by families; and the family that the LORD takes shall come near man by man.
- In the morning you shall bring near the tribes; and the tribe that the LORD takes shall come near by clans; the clan that the LORD takes shall come near by households; and the household that the LORD takes shall come near man by man.
Jos.7.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- הנלכד: VERB,nip,ptcp,0,m,sg,def
- בחרם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישרף: VERB,niphal,impf,3,m,sg
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וכי: CONJ
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נבלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 7:2 (thematic): Commands Israel to 'utterly destroy' the nations and make no covenant with them—same herem/ban concept and covenantal prohibition underlying Joshua's punishment.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (verbal): Instructs that certain cities be 'devoted to destruction' and that nothing be spared so that the LORD may remain your God—language and rationale parallel to burning and total devotion in Josh 7:15.
- Leviticus 27:28-29 (verbal): Defines persons or things 'devoted' (cherem) to the LORD as irredeemable and to be put to death—legal background for the penalty in Joshua 7:15.
- Joshua 6:21 (structural): Earlier Joshua account of Jericho being 'devoted to destruction' with everything put to the sword and burned—direct narrative parallel within the same herem framework.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (thematic): God's command to Saul to utterly destroy Amalek as an act of herem; the Saul narrative later shows violation and consequences, highlighting the covenantal seriousness reflected in Achan's fate.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the one taken with the devoted thing shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and worked treachery in Israel."
- And the one taken with the ban shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and has done a disgraceful thing in Israel."
Jos.7.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכם: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבקר: PREP
- ויקרב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לשבטיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PS,3,m,sg
- וילכד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שבט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Numbers 1:2-3 (verbal): God commands Moses to take the people 'by their clans'/'by their families'—language and the action of marshaling Israel by tribal units parallels Joshua’s bringing Israel near by their tribes.
- Numbers 26:1 (structural): A later census where Moses assembles Israel 'by their families, by their fathers' houses'—another instance of gathering the people according to tribal divisions for identification and administration.
- Judges 20:10-11 (thematic): All Israel is assembled by tribes to investigate a grave transgression and to identify the tribe responsible (Benjamin); thematically parallels Joshua’s tribal muster and the singling out of a specific tribe (Judah) in the search for the guilty party.
- Deuteronomy 29:10 (structural): 'All of you are standing today before the LORD your God—your tribal heads...'—a formal assembly of the nation organized by tribal representation, echoing the communal/tribal gathering in Joshua 7:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel near by their tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken.
- So Joshua rose up early in the morning and brought Israel near by their tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken.
Jos.7.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- משפחת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וילכד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- משפחת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- הזרחי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויקרב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- משפחת: NOUN,f,sg,cstr
- הזרחי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לגברים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וילכד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- זבדי: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 7:14 (verbal): Same episode and wording: Joshua orders the tribes brought forward and the family of the Zerahites 'man by man' to locate the offender—the procedural formula that leads to identifying the guilty person.
- Joshua 7:16 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same narrative describing the stepwise bringing forward of the tribe, family and individuals ('man by man'), with the naming of an individual (Zabdi) in the sequence.
- Joshua 7:18 (verbal): Continuation of the same selection procedure; the sequence of presenting tribe → family → household → individual culminates in the identification of Achan—same structural phrasing.
- 1 Samuel 10:20-24 (structural): Samuel’s selection of Israel’s king by bringing the tribes and casting lots parallels the procedural method of finding one person from among tribes/families—both use staged selection from tribe to individual.
- 2 Samuel 21:1-9 (thematic): Like Joshua 7, a national calamity is traced to a hidden offense; the king inquires and a family/group is identified and punished—shared theme of communal consequence and discovery of a single culpable party.
Alternative generated candidates
- He brought the clans of Judah near; he took the clan of the Zerahites; he brought the clan of the Zerahites near by their families, and the family of the Zerahites was taken; and Zabdi was taken.
- He brought near the clans of Judah, and he took the clan of the Zerahites; and he brought the clan of the Zerahites near by households, and he took Zabdi.
Jos.7.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ביתו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לגברים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וילכד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עכן: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כרמי: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זבדי: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למטה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- Josh.7:19-21 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: Joshua's interrogation of the guilty person and Achan's confession about taking the devoted things — directly connected to the capture named in v.18.
- Josh.6:17-19 (thematic): Statement of the ban (ḥērem) on Jericho — the law whose violation (taking spoils devoted to the Lord) precipitates Achan's capture and punishment.
- Deut.13:6-11 (thematic): Legal instruction for identifying, exposing, and executing one who leads others to idolatry; parallels the communal procedure of discovering and dealing with an offender hidden among Israel.
- Deut.20:16-18 (thematic): Command to devote certain cities and their spoil to destruction (ḥērem) in warfare — provides the legal-theological background for why taking spoils was a capital offense in Joshua's account.
- 1 Sam.15:9-11 (thematic): Saul's failure to carry out the ban against Amalek (taking king and spoil) and the prophetic rebuke — thematically parallels the issue of violating a divine ban and the leadership/judicial response to that violation.
Alternative generated candidates
- He brought his household near man by man; and Achan son of Carmi son of Zabdi son of Zerah of the tribe of Judah was taken.
- And he brought his household near man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
Jos.7.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- עכן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- שים: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- נא: PART
- כבוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ותן: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- תודה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והגד: CONJ+VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- נא: PART
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- מה: PRON,int
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- תכחד: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ממני: PREP,suff,1,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 32:5 (verbal): Contains the language of admitting sin to God and not hiding iniquity: "I acknowledged my sin... I did not hide my iniquity," echoing Joshua's command to confess and not conceal.
- Proverbs 28:13 (thematic): Contrasts concealing transgression with confessing and obtaining mercy—parallels Joshua's demand that Achan not hide his sin but confess it.
- 2 Samuel 12:13 (thematic): David's direct admission to God through Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD," reflects the pattern of being confronted and responding with confession as Joshua requires of Achan.
- Leviticus 5:5 (structural): Prescribes that one who is guilty must confess the sin before the LORD and make restitution/offering, providing a cultic/legal precedent for Joshua's call to confess and give glory to God.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel; give him the tribute, and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me."
- Then Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and confess to him. Tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me."
Jos.7.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויען: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עכן: ADV
- את: PRT,acc
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אמנה: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- חטאתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,sg
- ליהוה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכזאת: CONJ+DEM,f,sg
- וכזאת: CONJ+DEM,f,sg
- עשיתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 15:24 (verbal): Saul confesses 'I have sinned against the LORD' after disobedience — a near-verbal confession formula and context of illicit action leading to communal consequences.
- 2 Samuel 24:10 (verbal): David admits 'I have sinned' after numbering Israel — similar first‑person admission of guilt before God and recognition of personal responsibility.
- Psalm 32:5 (thematic): The psalmist speaks of confessing sin to the LORD and receiving forgiveness — thematic parallel of acknowledging wrongdoing publicly/privately to God.
- Leviticus 5:5 (structural): Priestly law prescribes that one 'shall confess' when guilty — provides the cultic/legal background for the act of confession embodied in Achan’s words.
- 1 Kings 21:27-29 (verbal): Ahab humbles himself and says 'I have sinned' after prophetic rebuke — another royal/communal instance of confession prompting divine response or mitigation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Achan answered Joshua and said, "Truly I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel; this is what I did:
- And Achan answered Joshua and said, "Truly I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel, and this is what I did:
Jos.7.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וארא: VERB,qal,impf,1,?,sg
- בשלל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדרת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שנער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- טובה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- ומאתים: NUM,card,pl
- שקלים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולשון: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- חמשים: NUM,card,pl
- שקלים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- משקלו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss3,m,sg
- ואחמדם: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- ואקחם: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- והנם: CONJ+DEM,3,m,pl
- טמונים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- בתוך: PREP
- האהלי: NOUN,m,pl,def
- והכסף: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- תחתיה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Josh.6:17-19 (structural): Immediate predecessor command that Jericho and its spoil were devoted (herem) to the LORD and that no one was to take any of it — Achan’s act directly violates this injunction.
- Deut.7:25-26 (verbal): Warning not to covet or bring in the silver or gold of the nations and to destroy their idols; echoes the language and motive (coveting and concealment of enemy goods) behind Achan’s theft.
- Exod.20:17 (verbal): The prohibition against coveting supplies the moral category for Achan’s sin — he admits he ‘coveted’ and took what was forbidden.
- 1 Sam.15:20-23 (thematic): Saul’s admission that he kept the best of the spoil (and his attempt to justify it) parallels Achan’s taking of devoted spoil and the prophetic rebuke that disobedience is a serious offense.
- Acts 5:1-11 (thematic): Ananias and Sapphira privately withheld proceeds while claiming to give all to God; like Achan, they hid misappropriated property and faced immediate divine judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- I saw among the spoil a beautiful robe from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels; I coveted them and took them. And behold, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, and the silver is under it."
- When I saw among the spoil a beautiful robe from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver is under it."
Jos.7.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלאכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וירצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- האהלה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והנה: ADV
- טמונה: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- באהלו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- והכסף: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- תחתיה: PREP+PRON,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 1 Samuel 15:9-11,24-29 (verbal): Both passages involve taking spoil that was under a divine ban (herem) and facing divine judgment when the disobedience is discovered; Samuel’s rebuke of Saul parallels Joshua’s discovery and punishment of Achan.
- Acts 5:1-11 (thematic): Ananias and Sapphira secretly withhold sale proceeds and lie, are exposed, and receive immediate divine judgment—a New Testament parallel of hidden theft revealed and punished.
- Luke 12:2-3 (thematic): Jesus teaches that nothing concealed will remain hidden but will be disclosed—thematic principle behind the discovery of Achan’s hidden spoil.
- Proverbs 28:13 (thematic): The proverb contrasts concealment of wrongdoing with confession and restoration; thematically echoes the failure and exposure of Achan’s secret sin.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, the spoil was hidden in his tent, and the silver was under it.
- So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was hidden in his tent, with the silver under it.
Jos.7.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקחום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מתוך: PREP
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויבאום: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- כל: DET
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויצקם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Exodus 32:20 (structural): Moses publicly deals with idolatrous objects (the golden calf), bringing and destroying them before the community — a parallel case of exposing and handling illicit/faith‑violating items in the assembly.
- 1 Samuel 15:9–11 (thematic): Saul takes spoil that was to be devoted to destruction and is later confronted by the prophet — parallels the theme of illicitly taken goods and divine judgment for violating the ban.
- 2 Kings 10:26–27 (verbal): Jehu has the images/idols brought out and gathered and then destroyed before the people — closely parallels the physical removal and public exposure/destruction of objects linked to idolatry.
- Numbers 5:12–31 (structural): The ritual for a suspected adulteress involves bringing the person and the case before the priest/the LORD for a decisive, public divine judgment — parallels the procedure of presenting an individual's guilt before God and the community.
Alternative generated candidates
- They took them from the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the sons of Israel; and they laid them out before the LORD.
- They took them from the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the sons of Israel; and they laid them out before the LORD.
Jos.7.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- עכן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- האדרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- לשון: NOUN,f,sg,constr
- הזהב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- בניו: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ואת: CONJ
- בנתיו: NOUN,f,pl,abs+3ms
- ואת: CONJ
- שורו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- חמרו: NOUN,m,sg,poss3ms
- ואת: CONJ
- צאנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUF,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- אהלו: NOUN,m,sg,construct+3,m,suf
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- עמק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עכור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.6:18-19 (verbal): Immediate narrative precursor: Joshua had commanded that the spoil of Jericho be devoted to the Lord and not taken for private gain; Achan’s taking of silver and a robe directly violates this command, linking the items seized in 7:24 back to Joshua’s earlier prohibition.
- Deut.13:12-18 (structural): Prescribes the communal procedure and severe sanctions for a city that has been led into idolatry—gathering the inhabitants, stoning them and burning the city—paralleling the collective seizure and punitive removal of Achan, his family and goods.
- Deut.17:2-7 (thematic): Gives the legal pattern for bringing an offender to the gates of the city and executing him (stoning) after conviction for idolatry; parallels the due-process/communal execution motif seen in Joshua’s treatment of Achan.
- Num.16:32-33 (thematic): The divine punishment of Korah, his household and possessions—earth swallowing them up—echoes the theme of corporate judgment where not only the offender but also household and property are destroyed as consequence of transgression.
- 1 Sam.15:3 (verbal): God’s command to Saul to ‘utterly destroy’ Amalek—men, women, children, infants and animals—parallels the comprehensive list of persons and livestock in Joshua 7:24, reflecting the biblical motif of total removal of people and possessions in divinely sanctioned judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua and all Israel with him took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver and the robe and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters, and his ox and donkey and sheep, and his tent and all that he had; and they brought them up to the Valley of Achor.
- And Joshua took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the robe, and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters, and his ox and his donkey and his sheep and his tent and all that he had; and all Israel stoned him with stones and burned them with fire.
Jos.7.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מה: PRON,int
- עכרתנו: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- יעכרך: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ביום: PREP
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- וירגמו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- כל: DET
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבן: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישרפו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויסקלו: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- באבנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Josh.6:17-19 (thematic): Both passages treat the herem (devoted things) — Joshua 6 commands that spoils be devoted to the LORD and destroyed by fire; Achan’s taking of devoted items directly violates this command, precipitating his execution.
- Deut.17:2-7 (thematic): Prescribes communal capital punishment (stoning) for a person found guilty of idolatry after investigation and testimony — provides the legal background for Achan’s execution for covenant infraction.
- Deut.13:5,12-18 (structural): Commands purging of idolatry from town or individuals and destroying the offenders and their spoils; parallels Joshua’s communal purging response to covenant violation and the destruction of the illicit goods.
- Num.15:32-36 (verbal): Narrates another instance of communal stoning as the penalty for violating covenant law (a Sabbath-breaker); parallels Joshua 7:25 in method of execution (stoning by the congregation) and enforcing communal holiness.
- Lev.24:10-16 (verbal): Describes the communal stoning of a blasphemer after legal procedure; parallels Joshua 7:25 in the use of stoning as the corporate means of enforcing covenant sanctions.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day." And all Israel stoned them with stones; they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.
- And Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day." And all Israel stoned him with stones and then burned them with fire.
Jos.7.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקימו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- גל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מחרון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אפו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,suff3ms
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- המקום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- עמק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עכור: ADJ,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Josh.8.29 (verbal): Same formula: the body is cast out and a 'great heap of stones' is raised 'that remaineth unto this day'—a near verbal and situational parallel to the memorial/marker over Achan.
- Hosea 2:15 (allusion): Direct reuse of the place-name 'Valley of Achor' (Achor = trouble). Hosea transforms the valley's memory from judgment/trouble into a future 'door of hope,' alluding to Joshua's naming.
- Gen.35:20–21 (structural): Jacob sets up a stone/pillar at Rachel's grave and the text notes it 'unto this day'—parallel practice of marking graves or significant events with stones and the recurring 'to this day' formula.
- Gen.28:17–19 (thematic): Jacob's setting up a stone and naming the site (Bethel) after a revelatory event echoes Joshua's naming of the valley because of a decisive divine-related incident.
- Deut.21:22–23 (thematic): Regulations about leaving a hanged corpse unburied and regarding the curse on executed persons relate thematically to the public execution/stoning of Achan and the community's handling and marking of the condemned.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they raised over him a large heap of stones, which remains to this day. And the LORD turned from his fierce anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day.
- And they raised over him a great heap of stones, which remains to this day. Then the LORD turned from his burning anger. Therefore the name of the place is called the Valley of Achor to this day.
And the Israelites committed a trespass concerning the devoted thing; Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted thing; and the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites. And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth‑aven, east of Bethel, and he said to them, "Go up and reconnoiter the land." So the men went up and reconnoitered Ai.
They returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not let all the people go up; let two or three thousand men go up and strike Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for they are few." So about three thousand men of the people went up there; but they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai struck down about thirty‑six of them, and they chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. The hearts of the people melted and became like water.
Then Joshua rent his clothes and fell on his face to the earth before the ark of the LORD until evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. And Joshua said, "Ah, O Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had remained on the other side of the Jordan!"
O Lord, what shall I say, now that Israel has turned their backs before their enemies?
The Canaanites and all who dwell in the land will hear of it and surround us and cut off our name from the earth; and what will you do for your great name?" And the LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face?"
Israel has sinned; they have transgressed my covenant that I commanded them; they have taken of the devoted thing; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put it among their own belongings.
Therefore the Israelites cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become subject to the ban. I will not be with you any more unless you take away the devoted thing from among you.
Up! Consecrate the people and say, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: There is a devoted thing in your midst, Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted thing from among you.'"
In the morning present yourselves, tribe by tribe. The tribe that is caught shall be presented by clans; the clan that is caught shall be presented by households; the household that is caught shall be presented by men. And he who is caught with the devoted thing shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and done a disgraceful thing in Israel. So Joshua rose early in the morning and brought Israel near by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken.
He brought the clans of Judah near, and the clan of the Zerahites was taken; he brought the clan of the Zerahites near by households, and Zabdi was taken.
He brought his household near by men, and Achan son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken. And Joshua said to Achan, "My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel; give praise and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me." And Achan answered Joshua and said, "Truly I have sinned to the LORD, the God of Israel, and this is what I did:
When I saw among the spoil a beautiful robe from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the earth inside my tent, and the silver is under it." So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and there they found them hidden in his tent, and the silver was under it.
They took them from the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the sons of Israel, and they laid them out before the LORD.
Then Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan son of Zerah, and the silver, and the robe, and the bar of gold, and his sons and daughters, and his ox and his donkey and his sheep, and his tent and all that he had, and brought them up to the Valley of Achor. And Joshua said, "Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day." And all Israel stoned them with stones and burned them with fire; and they stoned them with stones.
They raised over him a great heap of stones, which stands to this day. And the LORD's fierce anger turned away; therefore the name of that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day.