Joshua 7:25

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 7:16-26

We have in these verses, I. The discovery of Achan by the lot, which proved a perfect lot, though it proceeded gradually. Though we may suppose that Joshua slept the better, and with more ease and satisfaction, when he knew the worst of the disease of that body of which, under God, he was the head, and was put into a certain method of cure, yet he rose up early in the morning (Josh. 7:16), so much was his heart upon it, to put away the accursed thing. We have found Joshua upon other occasions... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:25

And Joshua said, why hast thou troubled us ?.... Been the occasion of so much trouble to us, by committing this sin: the Lord shall trouble thee this day ; by the destruction of him and all that belonged to him: this is said to show that his punishment was of God, and according to his will: in the Misnah F18 Sanhedrin ut supra. (Hilchot Sanhedrin, c. 18. sect. 6.) an emphasis is laid on the phrase "this day", and it is observed,"this day thou shalt be troubled, but thou shalt not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:25

Why hast thou troubled us ? - Here is a reference to the meaning of Achan's or Achar's name, עכרתנו מה meh Achar - tanu ; and as עכר achar is used here, and not עכן achan , and the valley is called the valley of Achor, and not the valley of Achan, hence some have supposed that Achar was his proper name, as it is read 1 Chronicles 2:7 , and in some MSS., and ancient versions. See the note on Joshua 7:17 . And all Israel stoned him with stones , and ... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:25

Verse 25 25.And Joshua said, etc The invective seems excessively harsh; as if it had been his intention to drive the wretched man to frantic madness, when he ought rather to have exhorted him to patience. I have no doubt that he spoke thus for the sake of the people, in order to furnish a useful example to all, and my conclusion, therefore, is, that he did not wish to overwhelm Achan with despair, but only to show in his person how grievous a crime it is to disturb the Church of God. It may be,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 7:16-26

The detection. Objections have been raised to the morality of the whole narrative. We will deal first with this subject, and then turn to the religious and moral questions involved. I. WHY DID GOD NOT REVEAL THE OFFENDER WHEN HE REVEALED THE OFFENCE ? The answer is, that He might still further display the hardness of Achan's heart. He did not at once come forward and confess his crime. He not only had offended against God's laws, but he persisted in his offence.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 7:25

Stoned him with stones. The word here is not the same as in the last part of the verse. It has been suggested that the former word signifies to stone a living person, the second to heap up stones upon a dead one; and this derives confirmation from the fact that the former word has the signification of piling up, while the latter rather gives the idea of the weight of the pile. Some have gathered from the use of the singular here, that Achan only was stoned; but the use of the plural... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Joshua 7:25-26

Joshua 7:25-26. They burned them with fire after they had stoned them God would have their dead carcasses burned, to show his utmost detestation of such persons as break forth into sins of such public scandal and mischief. A great heap of stones As a monument of the sin and judgment here mentioned, that others might be warned by the example; and as a brand of infamy, as Joshua 8:29; 2 Samuel 18:17. The valley of Achor Or, the valley of trouble, from the double trouble expressed... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:1-26

Achan’s sin (7:1-26)God was angry that Israel had not been fully obedient to him in the conquest of Jericho. One of the people, Achan, secretly kept for himself what he should have destroyed (7:1). Therefore, when the Israelites moved on to attack the much smaller town of Ai, God allowed them to be driven back and to suffer losses (2-5). Joshua was distressed, not just because Israel had been defeated, but because their defeat would encourage the Canaanites. If all the Canaanites joined forces,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Joshua 7:25

Why. . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ). troubled . . . trouble. Hebrew. Achored . . . Acker . stoned them : i.e. the people, not the property. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Joshua 7:25

Ver. 25. And all Israel stoned him with stones, &c.— There are three things to be considered from these words: I. It is asked, what was the punishment inflicted upon Achan? All the interpreters agree that he was stoned; but they are not equally agreed that he was burned. It is certain, that the law against sacrilege condemned offenders to the fire; (Deuteronomy 13:15-16.) it is also certain, that God had condemned to the fire whosoever should take of the accursed thing at the taking of... read more

Group of Brands