Joshua 7:7 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 7:6-9

We have here an account of the deep concern Joshua was in upon this sad occasion. He, as a public person, interested himself more than any other in this public loss, and is therein an example to princes and great men, and teaches them to lay much to heart the calamities that befal their people: he is also a type of Christ, to whom the blood of his subjects is precious, Ps. 72:14. Observe, I. How he grieved: He rent his clothes (Josh. 7:6), in token of great sorrow for this public disaster, and... read more

John Gill

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

And Joshua said, alas! O Lord God ,.... What a miserable and distressed condition are we in! have pity and compassion on us; who could have thought it, that this would have been our case? wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us : who are mentioned either for the whole people of the land of Canaan; or rather, because the people of Israel were now in that part of the country which they inhabited: these words... read more

Adam Clarke

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

Alas , O Lord God - Particles of exclamations and distress, or what are called interjections, are nearly the same in all languages: and the reason is because they are the simple voice of nature. The Hebrew word which we translate alas is אהה ahah . The complaint of Joshua in this and the following verses seems principally to have arisen from his deep concern for the glory of God, and the affecting interest he took in behalf of the people: he felt for the thousands of Israel, whom... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 7:6-15

The humiliation. I. — THE BITTERNESS OF REPENTANCE . 1. The sting of sin is sharper than its pleasure. The uneasiness which followed on Achan's transgression far outweighed any pleasure he could have derived from it. For, first, the possession of his treasure was itself a trouble. He had to hide it in his tent, and to watch carefully lest any one should discover it. Next, he brought death upon thirty-six of his innocent fellow-countrymen. Lastly, he brought the keenest... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 7:7

Wherefore hast thou at all brought. The LXX . seems in some way to have read עבד for עבר ; they translate "why did thy servant cross?" But their rendering is a clear grammatical blunder, for the Masorites remark that the ה is to be preserved. Would to God we had been content. Calvin makes some severe remarks on Joshua's folly and want of faith under this reverse. But it may be paralleled by the conduct of most Christians in adversity. How few are there who can bear even... read more

Joseph Benson

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

Joshua 7:7. Wherefore hast thou brought this people over Jordan? In this and the two following verses, Joshua shows the infirmity of human nature, and how apt even pious men are to forego their trust in God, and to think of him and his actions according to their own weakness. Because three thousand men had fled before Ai, Joshua seems ready to conclude that all God’s promises were about to be rendered of none effect; not considering the wisdom, power, and truth of the Almighty. To deliver... 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 7:7

Alas. Figure of speech Ecphonesis. App-6 Lord GOD = Adonai Jehovah . See App-4 . wherefore. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 . would to God. Hebrew "would that". No "to God "in Hebrew text. read more

Thomas Coke

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

Ver. 7. And Joshua said, Alas! O Lord God, wherefore, &c.— The heart-felt emotion and humiliation in which Joshua appears, thus prostrate on the ground, with his face directed towards the sanctuary, and addressing God in the following prayer, are no way unbecoming of his high character. The greatest men are the most susceptible of the feelings of humanity and compassion. Without attempting to deny absolutely that Joshua testified some weakness, and too much dejection, in the prayer which he... 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