_Children. Achan was guilty of theft: some of the rest might have connived at his fault. He had taken what was reserved for the Lord. The offender was discovered, to inspire all with a horror for his conduct. Some of his brethren were punished, (ver. 5,) but they suffered for their own secret transg... [ Continue Reading ]
_Against Hai, to see the situation and strength of that city, which was about 10 miles west, or rather north, of Jericho. It was afterwards rebuilt, 1 Esdras ii. 28. --- Bethaven and Bethel are the same place; (St. Jerome; Calmet) though many distinguish them, with Cellarius. The former name means ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Few. It appears, however, that the city contained 12,000 fighting men; so that these spies must have formed a false notion of its strength, chap. viii. 25._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sabarim, which means people "broken and defeated." Septuagint, "they pursued them from the gate, till they had entirely broken them," destroying 36, and putting the rest to flight. (Calmet) --- This small disaster filled the whole camp with dismay, as the Lord generally caused the victories of his... [ Continue Reading ]
_Heads. These marks of grief were very common. Achilles covered his head with ashes, tore his garments and face, when he received news of the death of his friend, Patroclus. Homer and Virgil, (\'c6neid xii.) speaking of Latinus, the king, says, It scissa veste Latinus---Canitiem immundo perfusam pul... [ Continue Reading ]
_Began. Some had established themselves in the land of Galaad. (Menochius) --- Hebrew, "would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan." Josue speaks in this animated manner, through zeal for the glory of God, (Calmet) more than for any personal inconvenience. He was gri... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lied. Each one, on delivering up what he had taken, made profession, at least by his behaviour, (Haydock) that he retained nothing. Achan did like the rest, but he kept back of the plunder. (Calmet) --- He lied, and did not comply with the promise made by all Israel, which he was bound to observe,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Sanctified. Prepared by washing, &c., to appear before the tabernacle, and see the event. Septuagint, "purify the people." Chaldean, "call an assembly."_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Find. Hebrew, "it shall be the tribe which the Lord taketh." (Haydock) --- This was done by lots, as on similar occasions, 1 Kings x. 20., and xiv. 41. When God authorized this method, there could be no danger in it. But to have recourse to lots without such authority, would be often tempting God.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Juda. The dignity of this tribe enhanced the fault of Achan. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_My son. Clemency is the virtue of great souls. --- Give glory. Confess candidly, John ix. 24._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Garment. Hebrew, "a robe of Sannaar, or of Babylon." This city was famous for embroidered, or painted robes, such as were worn by kings, Jonas iii. 6. (Pliny, [Natural History?] viii. 48.) --- Rule, or linget. No coin was yet used. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_His sons, &c. Probably conscious to, or accomplices of the crime of their father, (Challoner) as he could hardly have concealed these things in the midst of his tent without their knowledge. (Menochius) --- But granting, with St. Augustine (q. 8,) that they were innocent of this crime, God, who is... [ Continue Reading ]
_Day. Hence some have drawn a very weak argument, to prove the repentance of Achan, as if he had only to undergo a temporary punishment. It is probable, however, that his sincere confession, proceeding from a penitent heart, might influence God to shew him mercy. --- Fire. Children, as well as his o... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER VII. _ Achor. That is, trouble; (Challoner) in allusion to the name of Achar, as he is called in the Septuagint invariably, and in the Hebrew and Vulgate in the Book of Chronicles. (Haydock) --- This heap of stones was thrown upon the ashes of the deceased, or perhaps at his person, while h... [ Continue Reading ]