Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Joshua 7

Jos 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.

committed a trespass

Jos 7:20, 21.

Achan

Called Achar, 1Ch 2:7.

Jos 7:5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

the hearts of the people melted

Cf. Jos 2:11.

Jos 7:7 And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!

Bible prayers (O.T.). Jdg 13:8, 9. (Gen 15:2; Hab 3:1-16.)

to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us?

Cf. Exo 5:22; 14:11; 16:3; 17:3; Num 21:5.

Jos 7:9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?

the Canaanites…shall hear of it

Exo 32:12; Num 14:13.

Jos 7:11 Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

Israel hath sinned

The sin of Achan and its results teach the great truth of the oneness of the people of God, Joshua 7:11. "Israel hath sinned." See in illustration 1 Co 5:1-7; 12:12-14, 26. The whole cause of Christ is injured by the sin, neglect, or unspirituality of one believer.

transgressed my covenant

Jos 6:17, 18.

taken of the accursed thing

Jos 7:21.

dissembled

Act 5:1, 2; Heb 4:13.

Jos 7:13 Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.

sanctify

Sanctify, holy (O.T.). 1Ki 7:51. (Gen 2:3; Zec 8:3)

Jos 7:19 And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.

make confession unto him

Num 5:6, 7; 2Ch 30:22; Psa 32:5; Pro 28:13; Jer 3:12, 13.

Jos 7:21 When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

shekel

One shekel = 2s. 9d., or 65 cents [In 1917].

Jos 7:26 And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

valley of Achor

Isa 65:10; Hos 2:15.