Josué 7
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Josué 7
CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS Historical narratives usually do not specifically state the theological purpose for their inclusion. SPECIAL TOPIC: OLD TESTAMENT HISTORICAL NARRATIVE There is an obvious contrast between Rahab and Achan. The actions of both affected a large number of people (Hebrew corporality, cf. Rom. 5:12-21). YHWH is no respecter of persons. If a Canaanite prostitute repents and believes, she is included in Israel. If one, even from the royal tribe, is disobedient to the clearly expressed will of God, he and his family are eliminated. This chapter clearly shows the Hebrew concept of corporality (one affects many). Adam and Eve's sin affects all humanity (Genesis 3). Sacrifice of innocent animals affects humans (Leviticus 1-7). Korah and Reuben's sin affects their whole family (Numbers 16). Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God (cf. John 1:29; Mark 10:45), affects the redemption of fallen mankind (cf. Rom. 5:12-21; 2 Cor. 5:21).
Josué 7:1
7:1 "the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully" The VERB "acted unfaithfully" (BDB 591, KB 612, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) means "to act under cover" or "trust-breaking." Although this was only done by one soldier it was seen as an unfaithful act on behalf of all the people. This illustrates the Hebrew concept of corporality. As Adam sinned, all mankind sinned; as one animal dies, humans are forgiven (i.e., the Mosaic sacrificial system); as Jesus gave Himself to die, all mankind is potentially saved (cf. Isaiah 53; Rom. 5:17-19). The one affects the whole, either negatively or positively! In the Hebrew text the NOUN form of the VERB "acted unfaithfully" is repeated, which intensifies the scandal of the act of rebellion. ▣ "under the ban" This is the term herem (BDB 356 ). It meant "something dedicated to God" and, therefore, it became too holy for human use. SPECIAL TOPIC: CURSE (OT) ▣ "the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel" The Bible that speaks of the tremendous love of God is the same Bible that speaks of the burning (BDB 354, KB 351, Qal IMPERFECT with waw, e.g., Exod. 4:14; 22:24; 32:10; Num. 11:1,10; 12:9; 22:22; Deut. 6:15; 7:4; 11:17; 29:27; 31:17) anger of God. They are both anthropomorphic phrases (from Greek terms "man" and "form"). However, they both speak of the true nature of a personal, holy God. SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCROBED AS HUMAN (anthropomorphism)
Josué 7:2-5
7:2 "Ai" This seems to be a name to describe "a heap" or "ruin" (BDB 743). It always has the DEFINITE ARTICLE in Hebrew, which implies a previous destruction (possibly a former large fortress). Archeology is not sure whether Ai was settled during the time of Joshua's conquest. However, (1) we are not sure of the date of the conquest and (2) archeology is a rather imprecise science and we cannot base interpretation solely on inconclusive evidence. Because of the use of the terms "Beth-aven" (BDB 110) and "Bethel" (BDB 110) in this verse, many have assumed that Ai is somehow connected with the city of Bethel for the following reasons: the term "Beth-aven" is often used of Bethel in the Bible (cf. 1 Sam. 13:5; Hos. 4:15; 5:8;10:5; Amos 5:5) the two sites are linked in this account (cf. Jos. 8:9,17) although Bethel's king is listed with the defeated kings in Jos. 12:16, the destruction and capture of Bethel is never mentioned there seems to be some confusion in chapter 8 of Joshua sending two different groups of men for an ambush; one possible explanation for this is that they ambushed both Bethel and Ai at the same time The exact relationship between Bethel and Ai is uncertain. Some have said that it was a military camp or some type of outpost but we are simply not certain. There are several commands given in Jos. 7:2-3: "go up," Jos. 7:2, BDB 748, KB 828, Qal IMPERATIVE "spy out," Jos. 7:2, BDB 92, KB 1183, Piel IMPERATIVE "go up," Jos. 7:3, Qal JUSSIVE (negated) "go up," Jos. 7:3, Qal IMPERFECT, but in a JUSSIVE sense "attack" (not in NASB), Jos. 7:3, BDB 645, KB 697, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense "toil," Jos. 7:3, BDB 388, KB 386, Piel IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense There are many "doublets" in OT narrative literature. The literary purpose of these is unknown to modern interpreters. We must be careful not to project current literary models onto ANE texts. See John H. Walton and D. Brent Sandy, The Lost World of Scripture, which describes how oral cultures pass on their traditions. ▣ "Beth-aven, east of Bethel" The term "Beth-aven" means "house of vanity" (cf. Jos. 18:12; 1 Sam. 13:5; 14:23). The term "vanity" was used in the sense of "nothingness" and was often used to describe idolatry. The term "Bethel" means "house of God" because it had holy and sacred associations with the life of Jacob in Genesis 28. Hosea seems to put the two names together (cf. Jos. 4:15; 5:8; 10:5). 7:3 "Do not let all the people go up. . .toil up there" The ADVERB "toil up" (BDB 1027) has very distinct topological associations. It is interesting in these two chapters how much eyewitness evidence from geography and topology is apparent in the account. From the place of encampment at Gilgal the land rose 3,400 feet in the space of sixteen miles to this small city of Ai. ▣ "two or three thousand" The Hebrew term "thousand" can mean a literal thousand (cf. Gen. 20:16; Exod. 32:28) a family unit (cf. Jos. 22:14; Jdg. 6:15; 1 Sam. 23:23; Zech. 9:7) a military unit (cf. Exod. 18:21,25; Deut. 1:15; compare 2 Sam. 10:18 and 1 Chr. 19:18) SPECIAL TOPIC: THOUSAND (eleph) ▣ "they are few" We learn from Jos. 8:25 that the total population of Ai was under 12,000. This makes Israel's defeat all the more poignant. 7:5 "The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them" At this point Joshua does not know why his first attempt to take even a small village after the major victory at Jericho was met with defeat and failure. Notice the VERBS used to describe Israel's defeat. "struck down," BDB 645, KB 697, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw "pursued," BDB 922, KB 1191, Qal IMPERFECT with waw "struck down," repeated "the hearts of the people melted," BDB 587, KB 606, Niphal IMPERFECT with waw "became as water," BDB 224, KB 243, Qal IMPERFECT The absence of YHWH's blessing makes all the difference in effect and attitude! ▣ "Shebarim" This NOUN (BDB 991) could be a proper name (i.e., many translations). The Hebrew NOUN (BDB 991) can mean to break to crush to breach to fracture (a limb or the earth) a place where rocks are broken (i.e., quarry) The exact location of it is uncertain, but this is another eyewitness account. One wonders if the form of Achan's death (stoning) is a play on Israel being chased to the stone quarry. ▣ "so the hearts of the people melted" This is the same metaphor used to describe the fear of the Canaanites (cf. Jos. 2:11; 5:1). Now, because of sin, it is experienced by God's own people. ▣ "and became as water" It is possible that this is related to the idiom of Ezek. 7:17; 21:7, where it may refer to urinating on oneself in fear (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, p. 756).
Josué 7:6-9
7:6 "Then Joshua tore his clothes" In this text there are three typical signs of Hebrew mourning: the tearing of the neckpiece of a person's clothing (cf. Gen. 37:29,34; 44:13; Job 1:20; 2:12) the putting on of dust on one's head (cf. Job 2:12; Lam. 2:10; Ezek. 27:30); similar signs of mourning can be seen in the face of death in 1 Sam. 4:12; and 2 Sam. 1:2 prostration before God (cf. Jos. 7:10). SECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES 7:7-8 "and Joshua said" These verses reveal Joshua's doubts. Some of these phrases imply dramatic unbelief in the purpose and power of the covenant of God or (2) language he had heard Moses use in prayer during the wilderness wandering period. ▣ "O Lord God" NKJV, NRSV "Lord God" "Sovereign Lord" "Lord Yahweh" 7:7 "O Lord God" This is Adon (Lord) and YHWH (see same use of these two titles in Ps. 110:1). SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, D. ▣ "why did You ever bring" There is an intensity in this phrase by the use of a Hiphil PERFECT and Hiphil INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE of the same VERB (BDB 716, KB 778). ▣ "to deliver us into the hand of the Amaorites" "Into the hand" is a biblical idiom of defeat. See SPECIAL TOPIC: HAND. "Amorite" is often a collective term for all the tribes living in Canaan. 7:9 "cut off our name from the earth" This is a Hebraic idiom of the death of all of a family line. No descendant remained alive! ▣ "And what will You do for Your great name" This is the same approach that Moses took in praying to God. God's character (as well as His plan for redemption) was involved in what happened to the people of Israel (cf. Jos. 5:9; Exod. 32:12; Deut. 9:28; Ezek. 36:22-38).
Josué 7:10-15
7:10 "so the Lord said to Joshua, 'Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face'" This is very similar to God's words to Moses (cf. Exod. 14:15-16) when he was confronted with the Egyptian army. There is a time to pray, but there is also a time to act ("rise up," BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal IMPERATIVE). Joshua had been told what to do and now he should act on it. At this point it is uncertain whether Joshua knew that this sin of Achan was the problem. 7:11 "Israel has sinned" God revealed to Joshua that both theft and deceit had caused the whole nation to suffer. This is a balance between the Old Testament emphasis on individual responsibility (cf. Ezek. 18:32; Deut. 24:16) and corporate responsibility (cf. Num. 25 and Deut. 5:9). Notice all the VERBS used to describe Israel's sin. "sinned," Jos. 7:11, BDB 306, KB 305, Qal PERFECT "transgressed," Jos. 7:11, BDB 716, KB 778, Qal PERFECT "taken some of the things," Jos. 7:11, BDB 542, KB 534, Qal PERFECT "stolen," Jos. 7:11, BDB 170, KB 198, Qal PERFECT "deceived," Jos. 7:11, BDB 471, KB 469, Piel PERFECT The results of this intentional rebellion against the clearly stated will of YHWH. "can not stand," Jos. 7:12, BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT (negated) "turn their backs before their enemies," Jos. 7:12, BDB 815, KB 937, intensified by the use of the Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE and a Qal IMPERFECT of the same VERB "become accursed," Jos. 7:12, BDB 224, KB 243, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT "I will not be with you anymore," Jos. 7:12, BDB 414, KB 418, Hiphil IMPERFECT and BDB 224, KB 243, Qal INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT 7:13 What must Israel do? "rise up" (i.e., act), BDB 877, KB 1086, Qal IMPERATIVE "consecrate the people," BDB 872, KB 1073, Piel IMPERATIVE "consecrate yourselves," BDB 872, KB 1073, Hithpael IMPERATIVE, cf. Gen. 35:2; Exod. 19:10,14; 1 Sam. 16:5 "remove the things under the ban from your midst," BDB 693, KB 747, Hiphil INFINITIVE CONSTRUCT Notice there was a procedure by which Israel could be restored. YHWH provided a way back! 7:14 "which the Lord takes by lot" The phrase "by lot" is not found in the Hebrew text, but it implies the use of the Urim and Thummim (cf. Num. 27:21). This method of knowing God's will is also found in 1 Sam. 10:20 and will be the means by which the Promised Land will be divided among the tribes (cf. Jos. 18:6,11; 19:1). SPECIAL TOPIC: URIM AND THUMMIM 7:15 "shall be burned with fire, and all that belongs to him" Notice that there are two methods of judgment in this account of Achan. First of all he will be stoned and then all that he has will be burned (cf. Jos. 7:25). Achan's family and animals were destroyed with him. This is another example of Hebrew corporality. ▣ NASB, NET "a disgraceful thing" "an outrageous thing" "brought terrible shame" "an infamy" "lawlessness" "wickedness" JPSOA, REB "an outrage" This term (BDB 615) is used of several actions. related to sexual promiscuity Shechem's violation of Jacob's daughter, Dinah, Genesis 34:7 extra-marital affairs, Deut. 22:21 the rape of the Levite's concubine, Jdg. 19:23; 20:6 Amnon's rape of his half sister Tamar, 2 Sam. 13:12 Israel's adultery, Jer. 29:23 related to people's foolish actions and speech Nabal's folly in rejecting David's request for help, 1 Sam. 25:25 those who speak foolishly, Isa. 9:17; 32:6 Achan's flagrant violation of YHWH's words, Jos. 7:15
Josué 7:16-21
7:19 "My son, I implore you, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him" It is interesting that Achan did not voluntarily confess his sin until it was obviously pointed out by God (lot) that he was the one in the wrong. This was a Hebrew idiom of telling the truth. The rabbis say that because of the phrase in Jos. 7:25, "the Lord will trouble you this day," Achan did not lose his eternity with God, but was condemned to death for his acts. Notice the commands in Joshua's confrontation with Achan. "I implore you, give glory to the Lord" (this idiom has only one IMPERATIVE), BDB 962, KB 1321, Qal IMPERATIVE (idiom for prayer) "give praise to Him," BDB 678, KB 733, Qal IMPERATIVE "tell me now," BDB 616, KB 665, Hiphil IMPERATIVE "do not hide it from me," BDB 470, KB 469, Piel IMPERATIVE used as a JUSSIVE 7:21 Achan greedily took several things out of Jericho (he was militarily involved in the attack) which had been totally dedicated to God: a beautiful, multi-patterned or colored Babylonian garment (BDB 12) 200 shekels of silver (BDB 494) a bar of gold (BDB 262) In the ancient world wealth was accumulated by (1) expensive clothing; (2) weights of precious metal; (3) jewels and (4) food stuffs. ▣ "shekel" See SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE WEIGHTS AND VOLUMES (Metrology) ▣ "I. . ." Achan's sin developed. "saw," BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERFECT with waw "coveted," BDB 326, KB 325, Qal IMPERFECT with waw "took," BDB 542, KB 534, Qal IMPERFECT with waw "concealed," BDB 380, KB 377, Qal PASSIVE PARTICIPLE
Josué 7:22-26
7:22 "it was concealed in his tent" It is possible, because he hid it among his family's possessions, that both his wife and children knew of his theft. They did not tell anyone. They will be killed also! 7:23 "poured them out" NKJV, TEV, NJB, Peshitta, REB "laid them out" "spread them out" "set them" "displayed them" This is literally the term "poured," but it can mean "cast" or "to set before" (BDB 427, KB 428, Hiphil IMPERFECT with waw). Achan's sin was obvious. 7:25 "And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones . . . And they raised over him a great heap of stones that stands to this day" Basically there are two Hebrew words for "stone." The first (BDB 920, KB 1187, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) is used in the beginning of Jos. 7:25-26 and refers to the use of stones for capital punishment. The second term (BDB 6) is used at the end of Jos. 7:25 and means to raise a pile of stones over a dead person and his possessions as a memorial of the crime and its judgment. Obviously Achan was killed, and then he and his possessions were burned (because they were under the ban), and on top of them a great heap of stones was raised. SPECIAL TOPIC: STONE TO DEATH SPECIAL TOPIC: DEATH PENALTY IN ISRAEL ▣ "burned them with fire" The VERB (BDB 976, KB 1358, Qal IMPERFECT with waw) was used of destroying the golden calf of Exod. 32:20 (cf. Deut. 9:21). It could be used positively (ashes of the Red Heifer), Num. 19:5 and means of sacrifice, Lev. 23:25 negatively (Asherim), Deut. 7:5; 12:3 SPECIAL TOPIC: FIRE ▣ "great heap of stones" This is a burial site (BDB 164 CONSTRUCT BDB 6, cf. Jos. 8:29; 2 Sam. 18:17) which became a negative memorial. 7:26 "called the Valley of Achor" This means "the valley of trouble" (BDB 770 CONSTRUCT BDB 747) and refers to the fact that one man's sin brought failure, reproach, and condemnation to the entire nation. However, this same valley is mentioned in Isa. 65:10 and Hos. 2:15 as a source of hope. ▣ "to this day" This is the mark of an editor; the time-frame of the phrase is uncertain (cf. Jos. 6:25; 8:28,29; 9:27; 13:13; 14:14; 15:63; 16:10; 22:3,17; 23:8,9). See note at Jos. 15:63.