Joshua 7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 northern countries. From the whole of this account we may see the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the great danger of not withstanding its first approaches. By covetousness many lives and many souls have... read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 1.But the children of Israel committed, etc Reference is made to the crime, and indeed the secret crime, of one individual, whose guilt is transferred to the whole people; and not only so, but punishment is at the same time executed against several who were innocent. But it seems very unaccountable that a whole people should be condemned for a private and hidden crime of which they had no knowledge. I answer, that it is not new for the sin of one member to be visited on the whole body.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:2

Verse 2 2.And Joshua sent men from Jericho, etc To examine the site of the city and reconnoiter all its approaches was an act of prudence, that they might not, by hurrying on at random through unknown places, fall into an ambuscade. But when it would be necessary shortly after to advance with all the forces, to send forward a small band with the view of taking the city, seems to betray a want of military skill. Hence it would not have been strange that two or three thousand men, on a sudden... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:6

Verse 6 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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:9

Verse 9 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... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:10

Verse 10 10.And the Lord said unto Joshua, etc God does not reprimand Joshua absolutely for lying prostrate on the ground and lamenting the overthrow of the people, since the true method of obtaining pardon from God was to fall down suppliantly before him; but for giving himself up to excessive sorrow. The censure, however, ought to be referred to the future rather than to the past; for he tells him to put an end to his wailing, just as if he had said, that he had already lain too long... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:13

Verse 13 13.Up, sanctify the people, etc Although the word קדש has a more extensive meaning, yet as the subject in question is the expiation of the people, I have no doubt that it prescribes a formal rite of sanctification. Those, therefore, who interpret it generally as equivalent to prepare, do not, in my judgment, give it its full force. Nay, as they were now to be in a manner brought into the divine presence, there was need of purification that they might not come while unclean. It is also... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:19

Verse 19 19.And Joshua said unto Achan, etc Although only by lot, which seems to fall out fortuitously, Achan is completely caught; yet, as God has declared that he will point out the guilty party, as if with the finger, Joshua interrogates without having any doubt, and when the discovery is made, urges Achan to confess it. It is probable, indeed, that this was the usual form of adjuration, as we read in John’s Gospel, (John 9:24) that the scribes and priests used the same words in adjuring the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:20

Verse 20 20.And Achan answered Joshua, etc As he was now struck with astonishment, he neither employs subterfuge, nor palliates the crime, nor endeavors to give any coloring to it, but rather ingeniously details the whole matter. Thus the sacred name of God was more effectual in extorting a confession than any tortures could have been. Nor was the simplicity he thus displayed a sure indication of repentance; being, as it were, overcome with terror, he openly divulged what he would willingly... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:22

Verse 22 22.So Joshua sent messengers, etc Although it is not singular for messengers to prove their obedience by running and making haste, yet the haste which is here mentioned, shows how intent all were to have the work of expiation performed as speedily as possible, as they had been filled with the greatest anxiety in consequence of the stern denunciation — I will not be with you until you are purged of the anathema. They therefore ran swiftly, not merely to execute the commands of Joshua,... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:26

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

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:9

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:10

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:13

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:20

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:22

Verse of the Day

Daily Devotional

Group of Brands