Lexical Summary Akor: Achor Original Word: עָכוֹר Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Achor From akar; troubled; Akor, the name of a place in Palestine -- Achor. see HEBREW akar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom akar Definition "disturbance," a valley on the border of Judah NASB Translation Achor (5). Brown-Driver-Briggs עָכוֺר noun [masculine] disturbance, trouble, only in ׳עֵמֶק ע valley of trouble, west or southwest from Jericho Joshua 7:24,26 (J E; name explained), on border of Judah Joshua 15:7 (P), compare Hosea 2:17; Isaiah 65:10; on identification compare especially DiJoshua 7:24 BuhlGeogr. 98; Εμεκαχωρ, φάραγξ (or κοίλας) Αχωρ. עָכָר proper name, masculine see עָכָן above Topical Lexicon Context within JoshuaThe Valley of Achor first enters the biblical record in the account of Israel’s defeat at Ai and the subsequent exposure of Achan’s hidden sin (Joshua 7). After the casting of lots identified him, “Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, and the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen, donkeys, and sheep, his tent, and all that he had, and brought them up to the Valley of Achor” (Joshua 7:24). The public execution and destruction of Achan’s household served as an unmistakable warning that unrepentant disobedience imperils the entire covenant community. A large heap of stones raised over the site, together with the name of the valley, memorialized the episode for future generations (Joshua 7:26). Geographical Setting The valley lies just south of Jericho, near the northern end of the Judean wilderness. Joshua 15:7 lists it as a border point between the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Its arid ravines and stark terrain match the severity of the judgment that occurred there, offering a permanent natural illustration: the place where Israel crossed from triumph (Jericho) to setback (Ai) is also where the hidden root of that setback was exposed. Theological Themes 1. Corporate Accountability Achan’s personal transgression resulted in Israel’s collective defeat and loss of life. The narrative underscores the covenant principle that the holiness of the people is inseparable from the holiness of individuals within the people. 2. Sin Concealed, Sin Revealed The items Achan buried beneath his tent floor could not stay hidden. The Valley of Achor becomes a symbol that God’s light ultimately uncovers every secret thing (Ecclesiastes 12:14) and demands rectification. 3. Judgment that Restores Fellowship God’s wrath “turned away” only after judgment fell (Joshua 7:26). Thus Achor is a turning point from estrangement back to divine favor, illustrating the purifying power of righteous discipline (Hebrews 12:11). Prophetic Transformation Isaiah and Hosea later invoke the Valley of Achor not as a place of doom but of redemption: • Isaiah 65:10: “Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds for My people who seek Me.” In both passages, Achor serves as a literary bridge: the very site of judgment is recast as an emblem of renewal. Isaiah speaks to the faithful remnant who will inherit restored land; Hosea envisions adulterous Israel transformed into a devoted bride. Achor’s memory of trouble intensifies the promise that God can bring blessing from the most hopeless ground. Practical Ministry Lessons • Hidden sin must be addressed decisively for spiritual victory to resume. Leaders cannot sidestep confrontation without imperiling the mission of the whole body. New Testament Resonances While the Valley of Achor is not named in the New Testament, its principles echo in passages such as Acts 5:1–11 (Ananias and Sapphira) and 1 Corinthians 5:6–8, where concealed wrongdoing threatens the congregation and must be judged for the sake of holiness and restoration. The concept of judgment leading to renewed fellowship culminates at the cross, where Christ bears the curse so that the people of God may enter blessing. Summary Achor stands as a multifaceted biblical motif: a literal location of solemn judgment, a boundary marker in Israel’s geography, and, through prophetic vision, a symbol of transformed destiny. From Joshua to the prophets and into the life of the church, its lesson endures—trouble confronted in God’s way becomes the very ground upon which hope is built. Forms and Transliterations עָכ֔וֹר עָכ֖וֹר עָכֽוֹר׃ עָכוֹר֒ עכור עכור׃ ‘ā·ḵō·wr ‘āḵōwr aChorLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Joshua 7:24 HEB: אֹתָ֖ם עֵ֥מֶק עָכֽוֹר׃ NAS: them up to the valley of Achor. KJV: them unto the valley of Achor. INT: brought to the valley of Achor Joshua 7:26 Joshua 15:7 Isaiah 65:10 Hosea 2:15 5 Occurrences |
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