Joshua 7:19-20 NIV

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 7:19

And Joshua said unto Achan, my son ,.... Treating him in a very humane, affectionate, and respectable manner, though so great a criminal, being a subject of his, and of the same religion and nation: give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel , by acknowledging his omniscience, justice, power, truth, and faithfulness; as in his promises so in his threatenings: and make confession unto him ; of the sin he had been guilty of; this Joshua might urge, partly for his own good, who... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:20

And Achan answered Joshua, and said ,.... He made a free and open confession of his sin: indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel ; against him who had been so good to Israel in many instances, and particularly in delivering Jericho into their hands in so extraordinary a manner; against a law of his, respecting the spoil of that city, which sin was the more aggravated thereby; and that he had committed the sin he was taken for and charged with, he owns was a true and real... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:19

My son , give - glory to the Lord God - The person being now detected, Joshua wishes him to acknowledge the omniscience of God, and confess his crime. And doubtless this was designed, not only for the edification of the people, and a vindication of the righteous judgment of God, but in reference to his own salvation; for as his life was now become forfeited to the law, there was the utmost necessity of humiliation before God that his soul might be saved. Give glory to God... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:20

I have sinned against the Lord God - This seems a very honest and hearty confession, and there is hope that this poor culprit escaped perdition. 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

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 7:19

My son. This is no mere hypocritical affectation of tenderness. Joshua feels for the criminal, even though he is forced to put him to death. So in cur own day the spectacle is not uncommon of a judge melted to tears as he passes sentence of death on the murderer. The expression seems almost to imply a belief that, though Achan must undergo the extremest penalty of the law in this world, Joshua entertained a hope that he might be forgiven in the next. It certainly proves that, stern as the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 7:19

Sin confessed. A notable scene. The people of Israel assembled in solemn conclave. In silent excitement the national offender has been detected, and waits to hear his doom from the lips of the great commander. Whilst every eye is bent upon Achan, Joshua addresses him in the language of the text. Note how guilty Joshua speaks, grieving over the offence rather than severely censuring it, calling the criminal "my son," and inviting a full disclosure from his own lips. Out of his own mouth was... read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:19

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:20

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

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 7:16-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 7:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 7:19

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