Achan, a member of the Tribe of Judah, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative due to his actions during the conquest of Jericho, as recorded in the Book of Joshua. His account serves as a cautionary tale about disobedience and its consequences within the community of Israel.

Genealogy and Background

Achan is identified as the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah (Joshua 7:1). This lineage places Achan within the prominent tribe of Judah, which holds a significant position among the tribes of Israel, being the tribe from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ would descend.

The Sin of Achan

The narrative of Achan unfolds during the Israelites' conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. After the miraculous fall of Jericho, the Israelites were commanded to devote the entire city to destruction, taking none of the spoils for themselves, as these were considered "devoted things" to the LORD (Joshua 6:17-19). However, Achan violated this command by secretly taking some of the devoted items, including a beautiful robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, and hiding them in his tent (Joshua 7:21).

Consequences of Achan's Sin

Achan's transgression had severe repercussions for the entire nation of Israel. His sin caused the LORD's anger to burn against Israel, leading to their defeat at the hands of the men of Ai, a smaller and seemingly less formidable city (Joshua 7:4-5). This defeat prompted Joshua to seek the LORD's guidance, resulting in the revelation of Achan's sin as the cause of their failure (Joshua 7:10-12).

Judgment and Punishment

Following the LORD's instructions, Joshua conducted a process to identify the guilty party, which ultimately led to Achan's confession. Achan admitted to his wrongdoing, saying, "It is true! I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did" (Joshua 7:20). Despite his confession, the gravity of his sin required a severe response to restore the sanctity and obedience of the Israelite community.

Achan, along with his family and possessions, was taken to the Valley of Achor. There, he faced the judgment of stoning by the community, followed by the burning of his possessions. This act served as a purging of the sin from among the Israelites and a restoration of the LORD's favor (Joshua 7:24-26).

Legacy and Theological Implications

Achan's account is a poignant reminder of the seriousness with which God views sin, particularly in the context of communal holiness and obedience. His actions underscore the principle that individual sin can have corporate consequences, affecting not only the sinner but also the wider community. The Valley of Achor, where Achan met his end, became a symbol of trouble and judgment but also of hope and restoration, as later prophetic writings would suggest a future transformation of this place into a "door of hope" (Hosea 2:15).

Achan's narrative serves as a sobering example of the need for faithfulness and integrity within the covenant community, highlighting the importance of adhering to God's commands and the dire consequences of failing to do so.Joshua 7:18
And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Book 5 Footnotes
... Benjamin, to be on the one side, and the tribe of Judah ... so cannot be supposed to
be joined with Judah at this ... [22] This section is a very remarkable one, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm

The Historical Books.
... reign of David, first at Hebron over the tribe of Judah ... Hebron there was an actual
separation of Judah from the ... It is a remarkable fact that while the full term ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... In this vineyard stood a fig-tree"by nature remarkable for fruitfulness"but it ... Carmi,
the son of Zabdi, the son of Zera, of the tribe of Judah, was taken ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned ... It is remarkable that of
the vast number of pious and ... Of the Persons or Subsistances in the Godhead. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

What can we learn from the tribe of Judah? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the kings of Israel and Judah? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? | GotQuestions.org

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