CHAPTER VII _The trespass of the Israelites_, 1. _Joshua sends men to view the state of Ai_, 2. _They return with a favourable report_, 3. _Three thousand men are sent against it, who are defeated, and_ _thirty-six killed_, 4, 5. _Joshua is greatly distressed, prostrates himself, and inquires_... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:2. _SENT MEN FROM JERICHO TO AI_] This is the place called _Hai_, Genesis 12:8. It was in the east of Beth-el, north of Jericho, from which it was distant about ten or twelve miles. From Joshua 7:4 it appears to have been situated upon a _hill_, and belonged to the Amorites, as we lea... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:4. _ABOUT THREE THOUSAND MEN_] The spies sent to reconnoitre the place (Joshua 7:3) reported that the town was meanly garrisoned, and that two or three thousand men would be sufficient to take it. These were accordingly sent up, and were repulsed by the Amorites.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:5. _THEY CHASED THEM_ FROM _BEFORE THE GATE_ EVEN _UNTO_ _SHEBARIM_] They seem to have presumed that the men of _Ai_ would have immediately opened their gates to them, and therefore they marched up with confidence; but the enemy appearing, they were put to flight, their _ranks utterly... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:6. _JOSHUA RENT HIS CLOTHES, C._] It was not in consequence of this slight discomfiture, simply considered in itself, that Joshua laid this business so much to heart but 1. Because the _people melted, and became as water_, and there was little hope that they would make any stand agai... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:7. _ALAS, O LORD GOD_] Particles of exclamations and distress, or what are called _interjections_, are nearly the same in all languages: and the reason is because they are the simple voice of nature. The Hebrew word which we translate _alas_ is אהה _ahah_. The complaint of Joshua in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:10. _WHEREFORE LIEST THOU THUS UPON THY FACE?_] It is plain there was nothing in Joshua's prayer or complaint that was offensive to God, for here there is no reprehension: _Why liest_ _thou thus_? this is no time for complaint; something else is indispensably necessary to be done.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:11. _ISRAEL HATH SINNED_] It is impossible that God should turn _against_ his people, if they had not turned _away_ from him. _They have taken of the accursed thing_, notwithstanding my severe prohibition. _They have also stolen_, supposing, if not seen by their brethren, I should eit... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:12. _BECAUSE THEY WERE ACCURSED_] From this verse it appears that the nature of the execration or anathema was such, that those who took of the thing doomed to destruction fell immediately under the same condemnation. The inhabitants of Jericho and all that they had were accursed: the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:13. _UP, SANCTIFY THE PEOPLE_] Joshua, all the time that God spake, lay prostrate before the ark: he is now commanded to get up, and sanctify the people, i.e., cause them to wash themselves, and get into a proper disposition to hear the judgment of the Lord relative to the late transa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:14. _YE SHALL BE BROUGHT ACCORDING TO YOUR TRIBES_] It has been a subject of serious inquiry in what manner and by what means the culpable _tribe, family, household_, and _individual_, were discovered. The _Jews_ have many conceits on the subject; the most rational is, that the tribe... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:17. _AND HE BROUGHT THE FAMILY OF JUDAH_] Dr. Kennicott observes, "All Israel came near by TRIBES, and one _tribe_ was fixed on; then that _tribe_ came by its FAMILIES, and one _family_ was fixed on; then came that _family_ by its HOUSEHOLDS, and one _household_ was fixed on, and the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:19. _MY SON, GIVE - GLORY TO THE LORD GOD_] The _person_ being now detected, Joshua wishes him to acknowledge the omniscience of God, and confess his crime. And doubtless this was designed, not only for the edification of the people, and a vindication of the righteous judgment of God... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:20. _I HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE LORD GOD_] This seems a very honest and hearty confession, and there is hope that this poor culprit escaped perdition.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:21. _A GOODLY BABYLONISH GARMENT_] אדרת שנער _addereth_ _shinar_, a _splendid_ or _costly robe of Shinar_; but as Babylon or Babel was built in the plain of _Shinar_, the word has in general been translated _Babylon_ in this place. It is very probable that this was the robe of the kin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:24. _JOSHUA - TOOK ACHAN - AND ALL THAT HE HAD_] He and his cattle and substance were brought to the valley to be consumed; his sons and his daughters, probably, to witness the judgments of God inflicted on their disobedient parent. See Joshua 7:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:25. _WHY HAST THOU TROUBLED US?_] Here is a reference to the meaning of _Achan's_ or _Achar's_ name, מה עכרתנו _meh ACHAR-tanu_; and as עכר _achar_ is used here, and not עכן _achan_, and the valley is called the _valley of Achor_, and not the _valley of Achan_, hence some have suppose... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Joshua 7:26. _THEY RAISED OVER HIM A GREAT HEAP OF STONES_] The burial-places, both of heroes and eminent culprits, were anciently thus distinguished; and transactions of this kind gave rise to those great piles of stones called _cairns_, that are so frequently to be met with, especially in no... [ Continue Reading ]