Joshua 7:11-13

11 "Israel has sinned, and ¹they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them among their own things.

12 "Therefore the ²sons of Israel cannot * stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless * you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.

13 "Rise up! ³Consecrate the people and say, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the LORD, the God of Israel, has said, "⁴There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot * stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst."

Joshua 7:11-13 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOSHUA 7

For the trespass of Achan the children of Israel were smitten and put to flight by the men of Ai, Jos 7:1-5; which gave him and the elders of the people great concern, both for Israel and for the name of the Lord, which was expressed by Joshua in prayer to God, Jos 7:6-9; when the Lord informed him of the reason of it, and gave him directions for finding out the guilty person, and for the punishment of him, Jos 7:10-15; which directions Joshua followed, and the person was found out, who being urged to a confession made one, Jos 7:16-21; upon which he and all he had, with the things he had taken, were burnt with fire, Jos 7:22-26.

Cross References

• 1. Joshua 6:18, 19
• 2. Numbers 14:39, 45; Judges 2:14
• 3. Joshua 3:5
• 4. Joshua 6:18

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "necks"