Joshua 7:8-12 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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 7:10-15

We have here God's answer to Joshua's address, which, we may suppose, came from the oracle over the ark, before which Joshua had prostrated himself, Josh. 7:6. Those that desire to know the will of God must attend with their desires upon the lively oracles, and wait at wisdom's gates for wisdom's dictates, Prov. 8:34. And let those that find themselves under the tokens of God's displeasure never complain of him, but complain to him, and they shall receive an answer of peace. The answer came... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:8

O Lord, what shall I say ,.... For the comfort and encouragement of the people of Israel, in vindication of thy power and faithfulness, and against the charge of weakness in thyself, unfaithfulness to thy promises, and unkindness to thy people, brought by our enemies: when Israel hath turned their backs before their enemies ? or after they have done it; what is to be said now, this being the case? he speaks as a man confounded, and at the utmost loss how to account for the power, the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:9

For the Canaanites ,.... Those that dwell on the east and on the west of the land, see Joshua 11:3 ; who were one of the seven nations: and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it ; of this defeat; not only the Amorites, among whom they now were, and the Canaanites before mentioned, but the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites: and shall environ us round ; come with all their forces from all parts of the land, and surround us, so that there will be no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:10

And the Lord said unto Joshua, get thee up ,.... From the ground where he lay prostrate, with his face to it: this he said, not as refusing his supplication to him, but rather as encouraging and strengthening him; though chiefly he said this in order to instruct him, and that he might prepare for what he was to do: wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face ? in this manner, so distressed and dejected; or for this thing, as the Targum, for this defeat of the army; something else is to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:11

Israel hath sinned ,.... For though one only had committed the sin, others might have known of it, and connived at it; however, there was sin committed among them, and it must be discovered, the guilt charged, and punishment inflicted: and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them ; not the law given on Mount Sinai, called the covenant, though in general that was now broken, inasmuch as they then promised to hear and obey all that the Lord should say unto them, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:12

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies ,.... Being forsaken of God for the sin committed among them: but turned their backs before their enemies : had not courage to face them, but fled as soon as they appeared: because they were accursed ; of God for the accursed thing that had been taken, as was threatened would be their case, should they take any of it; Joshua 6:18 , neither will I be with you any more, until ye take away the accursed thing... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:10

Wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face ? - It is plain there was nothing in Joshua's prayer or complaint that was offensive to God, for here there is no reprehension: Why liest thou thus? this is no time for complaint; something else is indispensably necessary to be done. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:11

Israel hath sinned - It is impossible that God should turn against his people, if they had not turned away from him. They have taken of the accursed thing, notwithstanding my severe prohibition. They have also stolen, supposing, if not seen by their brethren, I should either not see or not regard it. They have dissembled - pretended to have kept strictly the command I gave them; and have put it among their own stuff - considered it now as a part of their own property. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:12

Because they were accursed - From this verse it appears that the nature of the execration or anathema was such, that those who took of the thing doomed to destruction fell immediately under the same condemnation. The inhabitants of Jericho and all that they had were accursed: therefore they and all their substance were to be destroyed. The Israelites took of the accursed thing, and therefore became accursed with it. This was certainly understood when the curse was pronounced: Every man... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 7:10-15

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:8

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:12

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