Joshua 7:24
And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּקַּ֣ח
with him took
H3947
וַיִּקַּ֣ח
with him took
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
1 of 36
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּנָ֡יו
and his sons
H1121
בָּנָ֡יו
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 36
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
זֶ֡רַח
of Zerah
H2226
זֶ֡רַח
of Zerah
Strong's:
H2226
Word #:
6 of 36
zerach, the name of three israelites, also of an idumaean and an ethiopian prince
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֶּ֣סֶף
and the silver
H3701
הַכֶּ֣סֶף
and the silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
8 of 36
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָֽאַדֶּ֣רֶת
and the garment
H155
הָֽאַדֶּ֣רֶת
and the garment
Strong's:
H155
Word #:
10 of 36
something ample (as a large vine, a wide dress)
וְֽאֶת
H853
וְֽאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
לְשׁ֣וֹן
and the wedge
H3956
לְשׁ֣וֹן
and the wedge
Strong's:
H3956
Word #:
12 of 36
the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,
הַזָּהָ֡ב
of gold
H2091
הַזָּהָ֡ב
of gold
Strong's:
H2091
Word #:
13 of 36
gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky
וְֽאֶת
H853
וְֽאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
14 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּנָ֡יו
and his sons
H1121
בָּנָ֡יו
and his sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
15 of 36
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וְֽאֶת
H853
וְֽאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֹתָ֡יו
and his daughters
H1323
בְּנֹתָ֡יו
and his daughters
Strong's:
H1323
Word #:
17 of 36
a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
18 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
22 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
צֹאנ֤וֹ
and his sheep
H6629
צֹאנ֤וֹ
and his sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
23 of 36
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
וְאֶֽת
H853
וְאֶֽת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
24 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אָהֳלוֹ֙
and his tent
H168
אָהֳלוֹ֙
and his tent
Strong's:
H168
Word #:
25 of 36
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
26 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
27 of 36
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
28 of 36
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
30 of 36
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
and all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
and all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
31 of 36
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עִמּ֑וֹ
H5973
עִמּ֑וֹ
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
32 of 36
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
וַיַּֽעֲל֥וּ
and all that he had and they brought
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֥וּ
and all that he had and they brought
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
33 of 36
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֹתָ֖ם
H853
אֹתָ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
34 of 36
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Proverbs 15:27He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.Isaiah 65:10And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.Exodus 20:5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;Joshua 7:26And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.Joshua 15:7And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of En-shemesh, and the goings out thereof were at En-rogel:Hosea 2:15And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
Historical Context
The Valley of Achor was located near Jericho, visible to the entire camp. Public execution served as communal catharsis and educational object lesson. Ancient covenant communities understood that tolerating known sin threatened divine blessing on the entire group. Archaeological evidence from ancient Near East confirms that family members were sometimes included in punishment for covenant violations, though this varied by culture and offense. The comprehensive destruction of Achan's possessions—including animals and tent—illustrates cherem principle: everything associated with the violation must be purged. The public nature of the judgment—all Israel present—created collective memory. Future generations would point to Valley of Achor as warning against covenant violation. This event became proverbial—'Achan, the troubler of Israel' (1 Chronicles 2:7).
Questions for Reflection
- How do you understand family consequences of sin in light of individual responsibility (Ezekiel 18)?
- What does the comprehensive destruction teach about sin's pervasive effects?
- How should communities balance compassion with maintaining corporate holiness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Joshua and all Israel take Achan, the stolen items, his family, livestock, tent, and possessions to the Valley of Achor. The comprehensive list—'his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had'—emphasizes totality. Everything connected to Achan comes under judgment. This raises difficult questions about corporate guilt and family punishment. Ancient Near Eastern practice often included family in covenant violations, viewing households as corporate units. Whether Achan's family knew of his sin or benefited from it remains unstated, but they shared his fate. The location—Valley of Achor (Emek Akor, עֵמֶק עָכוֹר—Valley of Trouble)—gains its name from this event (verse 26). The valley becomes a memorial to sin's consequences. The participation of 'all Israel' emphasizes corporate responsibility in maintaining covenant purity. The community must actively purge sin, not merely condemn it passively.