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Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 7:16

Ver. 16. So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought, &c.— Interpreters here ask, How was it possible that Achan should dare to extend his audacity so far as not to confess his crime as soon as he knew the orders which God had given to Joshua?—And they answer, that sin had blinded him, and that a proud shame withheld him. But, waving the discussion of these replies, we apprehend that the following will be considered as very sufficient; namely, that Achan knew nothing of the orders... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Joshua 7:16

16-18. So Joshua rose up early, and brought Israel by their tribes—that is, before the tabernacle. The lot being appealed to ( :-), he proceeded in the inquiry from heads of tribes to heads of families, and from heads of households in succession to one family, and to particular persons in that family, until the criminal was found to be Achan, who, on Joshua's admonition, confessed the fact of having secreted for his own use, in the floor of his tent, spoil both in garments and money [ :-]. How... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 7:1-26

2. Defeat at Ai ch. 7At Jericho, Israel learned God’s strength. At Ai, she learned her own weakness. She could only conquer her enemies as she remained faithful to God’s covenant."We are never in greater danger than right after we have won a great victory." [Note: Henry Jacobsen, Claiming God’s Promises: Joshua, p. 62.] "The pinching of the [east-west] ridge route by Ai . . . makes it a natural first line of defense for the Hill Country around Bethel. Therefore, tactically speaking, the... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 7:16-26

Even though Achan’s sin carried a punishment that he could not decrease or postpone, Achan could at least reduce his guilt by confessing his sin. This he did in response to Joshua’s paternal entreaty (Joshua 7:19). Confessing one’s sin is one way to glorify God.Achan’s confession clearly revealed the process involved in yielding to temptation (Joshua 7:21). He allowed the sight of something attractive to grow into covetousness. Then he took the step from covert mental sin to overt physical sin.... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:1-26

Repulse at Ai, due to Achan’s SinThe capture of Jericho is followed by an attempt upon Ai, a place of strategic importance, as commanding a main entrance into the interior of Canaan westward; the upper entrance into the valley of Aijalon being commanded by Ai and Bethel. This chapter has an interest of its own, as exhibiting Joshua in a new light, as the spiritual guide, drawing out, with the mingled sweetness and severity of a father (Joshua 7:19), the sinner’s detailed confession (see on... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Joshua 7:14-18

(14-18) In the morning therefore ye shall be brought.—That is, brought near, or presented. The word used here, and throughout the passage, is the same that is commonly used for the presentation of an offering. read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:1-26

CHAPTER XIV.ACHAN’S TRESPASS.Joshua 7:1-26.A VESSEL in full sail scuds merrily over the waves. Everything betokens a successful and delightful voyage. The log has just been taken, marking an extraordinary run. The passengers are in the highest spirits, anticipating an early close of the voyage. Suddenly a shock is felt, and terror is seen on every face. The ship has struck on a rock. Not only is progress arrested, but it will be a mercy for crew and passengers if they can escape with their... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Joshua 7:1-26

7. Achan’s Sin and Israel’s Defeat CHAPTER 7 1. The defeat of Israel (Joshua 7:1-5 ) 2. The source of the defeat revealed (Joshua 7:6-15 ) 3. The transgressor found out (Joshua 7:16-23 ) 4. The judgment of Achan (Joshua 7:24-26 ) 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... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:1-26

DEFEATED BY AI (vs.1-9) Though Joshua and Israel as such were unaware of it, there was sin in the camp that affected all of Israel, for we are told that "the children of Israel committed a trespass regarding the accursed things" (v.1). Only one man had done this, but God held the nation responsible because the man, Achan, was part of Israel. He had taken some things that were under the curse and God was therefore angry with Israel (v.1). Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai to spy out... read more

James Gray

James Gray's Concise Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:1-26

JERICHO AND AI DIVINE ORDERS (Joshua 6:1-5 ) These verses should not be separated from the foregoing by a chapter division, since it is evident that the orders here received by Joshua were given by the Captain of the Lord’s host previously described. Observe another proof of His deity in the words, “I have given into thine hand Jericho.” The mode by which Joshua was to proceed (Joshua 6:3-5 ) calls for no explanation. What had been his own preparations for the attack on the city? Was he... read more

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