COMMITTED A TRESPASS - (compare Leviticus 5:15 note), “acted treacherously and committed a breach of faith.” This suitably describes the sin of Achan, who had purloined and hidden away that which had been dedicated to God by the ban Joshua 6:19. The “trespass” was the act of one man, yet is imputed... [ Continue Reading ]
AI, BETHEL - See Genesis 12:8 note. (Modern travelers place the former at Khan Haiy, in the neighborhood of Deir Diwan.)... [ Continue Reading ]
The total population of Ai was about twelve thousand Joshua 8:25. It could therefore hardly muster three thousand warriors.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHEBARIM - Rather, perhaps, “the stone quarries.” The smallness of the slaughter among the Israelites indicates that they fled early, probably without real conflict in battle.... [ Continue Reading ]
On these signs of mourning, compare the marginal references and Leviticus 10:6; Numbers 20:6; 1 Samuel 4:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT WILT THOU DO UNTO THY GREAT NAME? - i. e. “after the Canaanites have cut off our name what will become of Thy Name?” This bold expostulation, that of one wrestling in sore need with God in prayer, like the similar appeals of Moses in earlier emergencies (Compare the marginal references), is bas... [ Continue Reading ]
God’s answer is given directly, and in terms of reproof. Joshua must not lie helpless before God; the cause of the calamity was to be discovered.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO STOLEN, AND DISSEMBLED ALSO - The anger of God and the heinousness of Israel’s sin are marked by the accumulation of clause upon clause. As a climax they had even appropriated to their own use the consecrated property purloined from God.... [ Continue Reading ]
ACCURSED - Compare Joshua 6:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD TAKETH - i. e. by lot. The Hebrew word for lot suggests that small stones, probably white and black ones, were used. These were probably drawn from a chest (compare the expressions in Joshua 18:11; Joshua 19:1). The lot was regarded as directed in its result by God (margin reference); and h... [ Continue Reading ]
BURNT WITH FIRE - i. e. after he had been put to death by stoning Joshua 7:25; Leviticus 20:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVE GLORY TO THE LORD - A form of solemn adjuration by which the person addressed was called upon before God to declare the truth. The phrase assumes that the glory of God is always promoted by manifestation of the truth (compare the marginal references).... [ Continue Reading ]
A GOODLY BABYLONIAN GARMENT - literally, “a robe or cloak of Shinar,” the plain in which Babylon was situated Genesis 10:10. It was a long robe such as was worn by kings on state occasions Jonah 3:6, and by prophets 1 Kings 19:13; Zechariah 13:4. The Assyrians were in early times famous for the manu... [ Continue Reading ]
The sin had been national (Joshua 7:1 note), and accordingly the expiation of it was no less so. The whole nation, no doubt through its usual representatives, took part in executing the sentence. Achan had fallen by his own act under the ban Joshua 6:18, and consequently he and his were treated as w... [ Continue Reading ]
A GREAT HEAP OF STONES - As a memorial of Achan’s sin and its punishment. (Compare Joshua 8:29; 2 Samuel 18:17.) THE VALLEY OF ACHOR - Compare the marginal references. This valley formed part of the northern border of Judah Joshua 15:7; and must therefore have lain among the ridges which cross the... [ Continue Reading ]