Joshua 7:9

_AND JOSHUA SAID, ALAS, O LORD GOD, WHEREFORE HAST THOU AT ALL BROUGHT THIS PEOPLE OVER JORDAN, TO DELIVER US INTO THE HAND OF THE AMORITES, TO DESTROY US? WOULD TO GOD WE HAD BEEN CONTENT, AND DWELT ON THE OTHER SIDE JORDAN!_ No JFB commentary on these verses....

9._For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants, _etc He mentions another ground of fear. All the neighboring nations, who, either subdued by calamities or terrified by miracles, were quiet, will now resume their confidence and make a sudden attack upon the people. It was indeed probable, that as the divine power had crushed their spirit and filled them with dismay, they would come boldly forward to battle as soon as they knew that God had become hostile to the Israelites. He therefore appeals to God in regard to the future danger, entreating him to make speedy provision against it, as the occasion would be seized by the Canaanites, who, though hitherto benumbed with terror, will now assume the aggressive, and easily succeed in destroying a panic-struck people. It is manifest, however, from the last clause, that he is not merely thinking of the safety of the people, but is concerned above...

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....

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 based upon God’s past promises and mercies. What would be said of (God by the pagan if now He permitted Israel to be destroyed?...

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

FOR THE CANAANITES,.... Those that dwell on the east and on the west of the land, see Joshua 11:3; who were one of the seven nations: AND ALL THE INHABITANTS OF THE LAND SHALL HEAR [OF IT]; of this defeat; not only the Amorites, among whom they now were, and the Canaanites before mentioned, but the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites; AND SHALL ENVIRON US ROUND; come with all their forces from all parts of the land, and surround us, so that there will be no escaping for us: AND CUT OFF OUR NAME FROM THE EARTH; utterly destroy us, that we shall be no more a nation and people, and the name of an Israelite no more be heard of, see Psalms 83:4; AND WHAT WILT THOU DO UNTO THY GREAT NAME? this, though mentioned last, was

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._...

WHAT. ? Figure of speech _, Erotesis._ App-6....

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