Joshua
Chapter 7
The Sacrilege of Achan
The Israelites did not observe the ban. It happened that Achan, the son of Carmi, the grandson of Zabdi, the great-grandson of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the dedicated items for destruction. Because of this, the Lord’s anger burned against Israel.
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which was near Beth-aven, east of Bethel. And he said to them: “Go up and explore the land.” When they returned,
the spies told Joshua: “It won’t be necessary to mobilize the entire army: a few thousand men will be enough to conquer the land. There’s no need to tire the people, because that nation is small in number.”
So about three thousand men attacked Ai but were repulsed by the city’s defenders.
The people of Ai killed thirty-six men and pursued them outside the gate as far as Shebarim, defeating them on the slopes. Upon seeing this, everyone was disheartened.
Then Joshua and all the leaders of Israel tore their clothes, put ashes on their heads, and stayed prostrate before the Ark of the Lord until evening.
Joshua lamented: “Alas, the Lord, why have you made these people cross the Jordan River just to hand us over to the Amorites who will destroy us? It would have been better for us to stay on the other side of the Jordan.
The Lord, my God, what can I say when I see Israel fleeing from their enemies?
The Canaanites and all the inhabitants of this land will know of this. They will unite to surround us and drive us out. And you, what are you going to do for the honor of your Name?”
The Lord answered: “Stand up! Why are you lying on the ground?
Israel sinned and broke my covenant; the Israelites took what was devoted to destruction and hid stolen items among their possessions.
So Israel cannot confront its enemies but will flee from them since it has become an outcast. I will no longer be with you unless you remove the curse from your midst.
Go then, and sanctify the people. Tell them, ‘Cleanse yourselves for tomorrow. The Lord, the God of Israel, says to you: Oh, Israel, the anathema is in your midst, and you will not face your enemies until you remove the anathema from among you.
Therefore, you shall come near in the morning, grouped by tribes. The tribe that the Lord designates by lot will present itself by families. And the family that the Lord designates will present itself by households, and the household by individuals.
He who is responsible for this offense shall be burned, along with all his household goods, for violating the Covenant of the Lord and committing a detestable crime in Israel.
Joshua woke early in the morning and told the tribes of Israel to gather.
The lot was cast for the tribe of Judah. Then, among the families, the lot was drawn, and the family of Zerah was chosen. Next, among this family’s households, the lot was cast again, leaving Zabdi’s household.
Finally, the lot was drawn within this household, revealing that Achan, son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was the guilty one.
Joshua then said to him: “My son, confess the truth before the Lord, the God of Israel, and give him praise. Tell me what you have done without hiding anything.”
Achan answered: “It is true that I have sinned against the Lord. This is what I have done:
I saw a beautiful mantle from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels among the plunder. I was tempted, so I took them. Then I hid them in the ground inside my tent with the silver underneath.”
Joshua then sent some messengers who ran to Achan’s tent and found the loot inside, with silver beneath.
They took all these items and presented them to Joshua and the people; everything was placed before the Lord.
Then Joshua took Achan along with the silver, the robe, and the gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen, donkeys, and sheep, his tent, and everything he had. All Israel accompanied him, bringing them to the Valley of Achor.
There Joshua said to him:“Since you brought us misfortune, may the Lord bring this misfortune upon you today.” Then all the people stoned him.
And of those who were his, some were crushed, and others were burned. They piled a great heap of stones on him that remains to this day. Then, the Lord turned from his anger.Henceforth, the place was called the Valley of Achor.
Commentaries
The Sacrilege of Achan.
Israel’s initial failure to conquer new territory is linked to the sin of a community member, which has serious consequences for the rest. Once again, the prophetic spirit of the Deuteronomistic tradition (D) is clear: when the people deviate from the Lord’s commands and statutes, they face failure; when they obey, their efforts are entirely successful. Although the story describes Achan’s execution, it encourages community members to root out evil so they can fulfill God’s plan. Another critical point is the destructive effect that individuals’ negative actions have on the community, which also relates to our own community experience.