Joshua 7:12 This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction.

◄ Joshua 7:12 ►

New International Version
That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

New Living Translation
That is why the Israelites are running from their enemies in defeat. For now Israel itself has been set apart for destruction. I will not remain with you any longer unless you destroy the things among you that were set apart for destruction.

English Standard Version
Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.

Berean Standard Bible
This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction.

King James Bible
Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

New King James Version
Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they have become doomed to destruction. Neither will I be with you anymore, unless you destroy the accursed from among you.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become designated for destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you eliminate from your midst the things designated for destruction.

NASB 1995
“Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.

NASB 1977
“Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore the sons of Israel cannot rise before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become devoted to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things devoted to destruction from your midst.

Amplified Bible
That is why the soldiers of Israel could not stand [and defend themselves] before their enemies; they turned their backs [and ran] before them, because they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from among you.

Christian Standard Bible
This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you what is set apart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from you what is set apart.”

American Standard Version
Therefore the children of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, because they are become accursed: I will not be with you any more, except ye destroy the devoted thing from among you.

Contemporary English Version
What they stole was supposed to be destroyed, and now Israel itself must be destroyed. I cannot help you anymore until you do exactly what I have said. That's why Israel turns and runs from its enemies instead of standing up to them.

English Revised Version
Therefore the children of Israel cannot stand before their enemies, they turn their backs before their enemies, because they are become accursed: I will not be with you any more, except ye destroy the devoted thing from among you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"The people of Israel will not be able to defend themselves against their enemies. They will run away from their enemies because the people of Israel are now claimed for destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy what I have claimed for myself.

Good News Translation
This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They retreat from them because they themselves have now been condemned to destruction! I will not stay with you any longer unless you destroy the things you were ordered not to take!

International Standard Version
The Israelis have been unable to stand before their enemies. They're turning their backs and running from their enemies because they themselves have been turned over to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy these things that have been turned over to destruction.

Majority Standard Bible
This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction.

NET Bible
The Israelites are unable to stand before their enemies; they retreat because they have become subject to annihilation. I will no longer be with you, unless you destroy what has contaminated you.

New Heart English Bible
Therefore the children of Israel can't stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will not be with you any more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.

Webster's Bible Translation
Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

World English Bible
Therefore the children of Israel can’t stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will not be with you any more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and the sons of Israel have not been able to stand before their enemies; they turn the neck before their enemies, for they have become a devoted thing; I do not add to be with you—if you do not destroy the devoted thing from your midst.

Young's Literal Translation
and the sons of Israel have not been able to stand before their enemies; the neck they turn before their enemies, for they have become a devoted thing; I add not to be with you -- if ye destroy not the devoted thing out of your midst.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the sons of Israel shall not be able to rise up before their enemies; they will turn the neck before their enemies for they were for a devoted thing: I will not add to be with you if ye ill not destroy the devoted thing from the midst of you.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
Neither can Israel stand before his enemies, but he shall flee from them: because he is defiled with the anathema. I will be no more with you, till you destroy him that is guilty of this wickedness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Israel is not able to stand before his enemies, and he will flee from them. For he has been defiled by what is anathema. I will be no longer be with you, until you destroy him who is guilty of this wickedness.

New American Bible
If the Israelites cannot stand up to their enemies, but must turn their back to them, it is because they are under the ban. I will not continue to be with you unless you remove that which is banned from among you.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore the Israelites are unable to stand before their enemies; they turn their backs to their enemies, because they have become a thing devoted for destruction themselves. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
Therefore the children of Israel cannot stand again before their enemies, but they shall turn their backs before their enemies, because they are accursed; neither will I be with you any more, unless you remove the curse from among you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the children of Israel shall not be able to stand again before their enemies but they shall turn their back before their enemies, because they were for destruction, and I shall not be with them again unless you remove the curse from among you

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
Therefore the children of Israel cannot stand before their enemies, they turn their backs before their enemies, because they are become accursed; I will not be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the children of Israel will not be able to stand before their enemies; they will turn their back before their enemies, for they have become an accursed thing: I will not any longer be with you, unless ye remove the cursed thing from yourselves.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Israel Defeated at Ai
…11Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them, and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction. Indeed, they have stolen and lied, and they have put these things with their own possessions. 12This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction. 13Get up and consecrate the people, saying, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

Deuteronomy 31:17
On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’

Judges 2:14
Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.

Isaiah 59:2
But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

Numbers 14:42-43
Do not go up, lest you be struck down by your enemies, because the LORD is not among you. / For there the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you, and you will fall by the sword. Because you have turned away from the LORD, He will not be with you.”

1 Samuel 4:3
When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.”

2 Kings 17:20
So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.

Lamentations 2:5
The Lord is like an enemy; He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Daughter of Judah.

Hosea 9:12
Even if they raise their children, I will bereave them of each one. Yes, woe be to them when I turn away from them!

2 Chronicles 15:2
So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.

Psalm 44:9
But You have rejected and humbled us; You no longer go forth with our armies.

Jeremiah 7:12-15
But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. / And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer, / therefore what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears My Name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave to you and your fathers. ...

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

1 Corinthians 10:12
So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.

Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.”

James 4:4
You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God.

Treasury of Scripture

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except you destroy the accursed from among you.

the children

Joshua 22:18-20
But that ye must turn away this day from following the LORD? and it will be, seeing ye rebel to day against the LORD, that to morrow he will be wroth with the whole congregation of Israel…

Numbers 14:45
Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites which dwelt in that hill, and smote them, and discomfited them, even unto Hormah.

Judges 2:4
And it came to pass, when the angel of the LORD spake these words unto all the children of Israel, that the people lifted up their voice, and wept.

they were

Joshua 6:18
And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.

Deuteronomy 7:26
Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: but thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it is a cursed thing.

Haggai 2:13,14
Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean…

neither

Jeremiah 6:8
Be thou instructed, O Jerusalem, lest my soul depart from thee; lest I make thee desolate, a land not inhabited.

Jeremiah 23:33
And when this people, or the prophet, or a priest, shall ask thee, saying, What is the burden of the LORD? thou shalt then say unto them, What burden? I will even forsake you, saith the LORD.

Hosea 9:12
Though they bring up their children, yet will I bereave them, that there shall not be a man left: yea, woe also to them when I depart from them!

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Joshua 7

1. The Israelites are smitten at Ai
6. Joshua's complaint
10. God instructs him what to do
16. Achan is taken by the lot
19. His confession
24. He and all he had are destroyed in the valley of Achor

Berean Study Bible

That is why
This phrase serves as a causal connector, indicating a direct consequence of prior actions. In the context of Joshua 7, it refers back to the sin of Achan, who took forbidden items from Jericho, violating God's command. The Hebrew word used here, "עַל־כֵּן" (al-ken), is often used to denote a reason or explanation. It emphasizes the direct link between disobedience and its repercussions, reminding us of the importance of obedience to God's commands.

the Israelites
This term refers to the descendants of Jacob, also known as Israel. Historically, the Israelites were God's chosen people, set apart to be a holy nation. In this context, it highlights the collective identity and responsibility of the nation. The sin of one man, Achan, affected the entire community, illustrating the interconnectedness of the people of God and the communal nature of sin and its consequences.

cannot stand
The phrase underscores the inability to withstand or prevail. The Hebrew root "קוּם" (qum) means to rise or stand firm. Here, it signifies the Israelites' failure to maintain their position or succeed in battle due to their disobedience. This serves as a powerful reminder that spiritual and moral integrity is essential for strength and victory in the life of faith.

against their enemies
This phrase identifies the opposition faced by the Israelites. Historically, the enemies were the Canaanite nations inhabiting the Promised Land. Spiritually, it represents any force or influence opposing God's people. The inability to stand against enemies due to sin highlights the spiritual principle that disobedience weakens our defenses and leaves us vulnerable to defeat.

They turn their backs
This expression indicates retreat or flight. The Hebrew phrase "פְּנֵיהֶם לִפְנֵי" (penehem lifnei) literally means "their faces before," implying turning away in fear or defeat. It illustrates the shame and dishonor that come from failing to trust and obey God. This serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of sin, which leads to fear and retreat rather than courage and victory.

and run
The act of running away signifies panic and lack of confidence. In the biblical narrative, it reflects the Israelites' loss of courage and faith due to their compromised spiritual state. This serves as a metaphor for the spiritual life, where sin causes us to flee from challenges rather than face them with God's strength.

because they have been set apart
The concept of being "set apart" is central to the identity of the Israelites. The Hebrew word "חֵרֶם" (cherem) refers to something devoted or consecrated, often implying destruction if misused. Here, it indicates that the Israelites were meant to be holy and distinct, dedicated to God's purposes. Their failure to maintain this holiness through obedience resulted in their inability to stand firm.

to destruction
This phrase conveys the idea of being devoted to ruin or annihilation. In the context of Joshua 7, it refers to the consequences of violating God's command regarding the devoted things. The Hebrew root "שָׁמַד" (shamad) means to destroy or exterminate. It serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and restoration to avoid spiritual destruction.

I will no longer be with you
This is a divine declaration of withdrawal of presence and favor. God's presence was the source of Israel's strength and success. The conditional nature of God's presence, based on obedience, is a recurring theme in Scripture. It underscores the importance of maintaining a right relationship with God through faithfulness and obedience.

unless you remove
This phrase introduces a condition for the restoration of God's favor. The Hebrew word "הָסִיר" (hasir) means to take away or remove. It implies the need for decisive action to address sin. This highlights the biblical principle of repentance, which involves turning away from sin and removing anything that hinders our relationship with God.

from among you
This phrase emphasizes the communal aspect of sin and its consequences. The sin of Achan affected the entire community, illustrating the need for corporate responsibility and accountability. It serves as a reminder that the health and holiness of the community of faith depend on the integrity of each member.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 12. - Therefore. This plain statement disposes of the idea that the repulse before Ai was simply the result of Joshua's rashness in sending so small a body of troops. The vivid narrative of the detection of Achan, obviously taken from contemporary records, precedes the account of the final capture of the city, although Joshua, who, as we have seen, does not neglect to employ human means, resolves to take greater precautions before making a second attack. Not a hint is dropped that the former number of men was insufficient, or that Joshua had been misled by the information brought by the reconnoitring party. In the mind of the historian the defect is entirely owing to the existence of secret sin in the Israelitish camp. Except ye destroy the accursed from among. Dr. Maclear, in the 'Cambridge Bible for Schools,' calls attention to the fact that 1 Corinthians 5:13 is a quotation from the LXX. here, substituting, however, τὸν πονηρὸν for το ἀνάθεμα.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

This is why the Israelites
בְּנֵ֣י (bə·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

cannot
וְלֹ֨א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

stand
לָקוּם֙ (lā·qūm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

against
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

their enemies.
אֹיְבֵיהֶ֔ם (’ō·yə·ḇê·hem)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

They will turn
יִפְנוּ֙ (yip̄·nū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

their backs
עֹ֗רֶף (‘ō·rep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6203: The nape, back of the neck, the back

and run from
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

their enemies,
אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֔ם (’ō·yə·ḇê·hem)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

because
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

they have been
הָי֖וּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

set apart for destruction.
לְחֵ֑רֶם (lə·ḥê·rem)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2764: A net, a doomed object, extermination

I will no
לֹ֤א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

longer
אוֹסִיף֙ (’ō·w·sîp̄)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

be
לִֽהְי֣וֹת (lih·yō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

with
עִמָּכֶ֔ם (‘im·mā·ḵem)
Preposition | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

you unless
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

you remove
תַשְׁמִ֛ידוּ (ṯaš·mî·ḏū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 8045: To be exterminated or destroyed

from among you
מִֽקִּרְבְּכֶֽם׃ (miq·qir·bə·ḵem)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

whatever is devoted to destruction.
הַחֵ֖רֶם (ha·ḥê·rem)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2764: A net, a doomed object, extermination

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OT History: Joshua 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel can't stand (Josh. Jos)