Joshua 7:6

_AND JOSHUA RENT HIS CLOTHES, AND FELL TO THE EARTH UPON HIS FACE BEFORE THE ARK OF THE LORD UNTIL THE EVENTIDE, HE AND THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL, AND PUT DUST UPON THEIR HEADS._ JOSHUA RENT HIS CLOTHES, AND FELL ... BEFORE THE ARK ... HE AND THE ELDERS, х_ LIPNEEY_ (H6440) _ 'ªROWN _ (H727)] - before or toward the ark. From the circumstance of God's being represented as dwelling between the cherubim over the ark of the covenant, and manifesting His glory on extraordinary occasions in an outward visible form (cf. Leviticus 9:24; Leviticus 16:2; 1 Samuel 4:4;...

6._And Joshua rent his clothes, _etc Although it was easy to throw the blame of the overthrow or disgrace which had been sustained on others, and it was by no means becoming in a courageous leader to be so much cast down by the loss of thirty men, especially when by increasing his force a hundred-fold it would not have been difficult to drive back the enemy now weary with their exertions, it was not, however, without cause that Joshua felt the deepest sorrow, and gave way to feelings bordering on despair. The thought that the events of war are doubtful — a thought which sustains and reanimates the defeated — could not be entertained by him, because God had promised that they would always be victorious. Therefore when the success did not correspond to his hopes, the only conclusion he could draw was, that they had fought unsuccessfully merely because they had been deprived of the promised...

6-9 Joshua's concern for the honour of God, more than even for the fate of Israel, was the language of the Spirit of adoption. He pleaded with God. He laments their defeat, as he feared it would reflect on God's wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness. We cannot at any time urge a better plea than this, Lord, what wilt thou do for thy great name? Let God be glorified in all, and then welcome his whole will....

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 against the enemy; and 2. Because this defeat evidently showed that God had turned his hand against them. Had it not been so, their enemies could not have prevailed. _PUT DUST UPON THEIR HEADS._] _Rending the clothes, beating the_ _breast, tearing the hair, putting dust upon the head_, and _falling_ _down prostrate_, were the usual marks of deep affliction and distress. Most nations have expressed their sorrow in a similar way. The example of the distressed family of King _Latinus_, so affectingly related by Virgil, may be adduce

On these signs of mourning, compare the marginal references and Leviticus 10:6; Numbers 20:6; 1 Samuel 4:12....

EXPOSITION JOSHUA'S PRAYER AND GOD'S ANSWER.— JOSHUA 7:6 And Joshua rent his clothes. A token of grief usual among the Jews (see Genesis 37:29, 84; Genesis 44:13, etc. Knobel cites Le Genesis 21:10); and though Joshua was not the high priest, yet from his peculiar position he might be expected to adopt somewhat of the high priest's demeanour, and at least not to display this outward sign of grief without the strongest reason. The words "before the ark" are omitted in the LXX. And put dust o

AND JOSHUA RENT HIS CLOTHES,.... As was usual in those ancient times, on hearing bad news, and as expressive of grief and trouble r; see Genesis 37:29; AND FELL TO THE EARTH UPON HIS FACE BEFORE THE ARK OF THE LORD, UNTIL THE EVENTIDE; in a posture of adoration and prayer, in which he continued till even; how long that was cannot be said, since the time is not mentioned when the army returned from Ai; very probably it was some time in the afternoon: this was done before the ark of the Lord, the symbol of the divine Presence, not in the most holy place, where that usually was, and into which Joshua might not enter, but in the tabernacle of the great court, over against where the ark was: HE AND THE ELDERS OF ISRAEL; either the elders of the people in the several tribes, or rather the seventy elders, which were the sanhedrim or council, and which attend

7. ACHAN'S SIN AND ISRAEL'S DEFEAT CHAPTER 7 _ 1. The defeat of Israel (Joshua 7:1)_ 2. The source of the defeat revealed (Joshua 7:6) 3. The transgressor found out (Joshua 7:16) 4. The judgment of Achan (Joshua 7:24) The insignificant place Ai brings defeat. Joshua sent men to view Ai. What authority was given to him to do so? There was no need to send spies once more, for the Lord had said, that the whole land was given to them. They report Ai a place without walls and recommend that only two or three thousand men be sent up. Defeat follows. Ai means “ruins.” It is mentioned for the first time in...

VII. ACHAN'S TRESPASS, ISRAEL'S DEFEAT, ACHAN'S PUNISHMENT. Joshua 7:1. The name should probably be Achar. The narrative presents no difficulties till the end of the chapter, where Achan's punishment is recorded. Joshua 7:2. Ai: probably 2 miles SE. of Bethel (p. 31). Joshua 7:9. And what wilt thou do for (or on account of) THY GREAT NAME? The meaning is that if Israel is destroyed there will be none to worship Yahweh; an interesting example of the ancient belief in the close connexion between the deity and his worshippers. Joshua 7:19. GIVE. LORD: _ i.e_., tell the truth, _cf._...

The Defeat before Ai. Joshua's Prayer 6. _And Joshua rent his clothes_ in token of sorrow and distress (comp. Leviticus 10:6; Leviticus 21:10). The clothes were torn in front over the breast, yet for not more than a handbreadth. In Patriarchal times we read of Reuben _rending his clothes_, because "Joseph was not in the pit" (Genesis 37:29); of Jacob _rending his clothes_, and "mourning for his son many days" (Genesis 37:34); of Joseph's brethren that they _rent their clothes_, when they found the cup in Benjamin's sack (G