Topical Encyclopedia Introduction:Achar, more commonly known as Achan, is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Joshua. His account serves as a cautionary tale about disobedience and its consequences within the community of Israel. The name "Achar" is often associated with trouble or disaster, reflecting the impact of his actions on the Israelites. Biblical Account: Achan's account is primarily found in Joshua 7. After the fall of Jericho, God commanded the Israelites to devote the city and all that was in it to destruction, sparing only Rahab and her family. The Israelites were instructed not to take any of the devoted things for themselves, as doing so would bring trouble upon the camp of Israel. However, Achan, from the tribe of Judah, disobeyed this command. He took a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold, hiding them in his tent. This act of disobedience led to Israel's defeat at the hands of Ai, a smaller and seemingly weaker city. Divine Revelation and Judgment: The Lord revealed to Joshua that Israel had sinned by taking some of the devoted things, which had caused His anger to burn against them. Joshua 7:11-12 states, "Israel has sinned; they have transgressed My covenant that I commanded them. They have taken some of what is devoted to destruction; they have stolen, lied, and put these things with their own possessions. This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies." To identify the transgressor, God instructed Joshua to bring the tribes of Israel before Him, tribe by tribe, clan by clan, family by family, and man by man. Achan was eventually singled out as the guilty party. Confession and Consequences: Upon being confronted, Achan confessed his sin, saying, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath" (Joshua 7:20-21). As a result of his actions, Achan, along with his family and possessions, was taken to the Valley of Achor. There, he and his family were stoned and burned, and a large pile of stones was raised over him as a lasting memorial of the consequences of sin. The place was named the Valley of Achor, meaning "trouble," as a reminder of the trouble Achan brought upon Israel. Theological Significance: Achan's account underscores the seriousness of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands. It highlights the communal nature of sin, showing how one individual's disobedience can affect the entire community. The narrative also emphasizes God's holiness and justice, as well as the need for repentance and restoration. Legacy: The account of Achan serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of covetousness and disobedience. It is a call to faithfulness and integrity, urging believers to adhere to God's commands and to recognize the far-reaching impact of their actions. The Valley of Achor is later mentioned in prophetic literature as a place of hope and restoration (Hosea 2:15), symbolizing God's ability to transform places of judgment into places of blessing. Smith's Bible Dictionary Achar = AchanStrong's Hebrew 311. achar -- after... achar. 312 . after. Transliteration: achar Phonetic Spelling: (akh-ar') Short Definition: future. ... (Aramaic) corresponding to 'achar; after -- (here-)after. ... /hebrew/311.htm - 6k 310. achar -- the hind or following part 309. achar -- to remain behind, tarry 5917. Akar -- a man of Judah 314. acharon -- coming after or behind 315. Acharach -- a son of Benjamin 320. acharith -- the end 321. ochoran -- another 319. acharith -- the after-part, end 317. ochori -- another Library Behold, did not Achar the Son of Zara Transgress in the Accursed ... Book 5 Footnotes How Joshua, the Commander of the Hebrews, Made War with The The Sixth Book In those Days There was a Man in Jerusalem... On the Government of God And Nicodemus Stood Up, and Stood Before the Sanhedrin... Rom. xiv. 1, 2 Canonical Epistle of Gregory Thaumaturgus Text-Divisions: Stichi, Chapters, Lections, Catenae. Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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