Joshua 7:25

And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire] This inclusion of Achan's household in the punishment is one of the moral problems of the book. Edersheim ('Bib. Hist.' art. 'Joshua,' p. 69 note) interprets the use of the singular number in Joshua 7:25; as showing that Achan was the only person stoned; the plural number following (Joshua 7:25) referring to his cattle and property only. Others emphasise the fact (not brought out in the narrative) that his family must have been privy to the crime; or dwell on the 'entail' of divine visitation pronounced in the second commandment (Exodus 20:5). The last view agrees best with the passage as it stands, which suggests in a very striking way the sufferings people bring upon their children by their sins.