Achan’s sin in Joshua 7:25 brought severe judgment on him and his family, emphasizing God’s requirement of holiness and faithfulness to His covenant.
We read in Joshua 7 that a man named Achan hid plunder in disobedience to the LORD’s command, causing disaster for Israel when they tried to conquer Ai. When Joshua discovered this sin, Achan confessed, and he and his family faced a severe judgment. Joshua 7:25 states, “Joshua said, ‘Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day.’ And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.” (Joshua 7:25). These words are spoken under Joshua’s leadership around 1400 BC (the approximate time when Israel entered the Promised Land after Moses’ death). Joshua was Moses’ successor, leading the Israelites to claim the land God had promised them (Joshua 1:1-2). Geographically, the event took place near Jericho in the valley that would later be called the Valley of Achor (meaning “trouble”), a reference to Achan’s sin bringing trouble on the nation (Joshua 7:26). This valley is located near the southwestern region of Jericho, in the southern part of the land of Canaan.
We read, “Joshua said, ‘Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day.’ And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.” The stoning and burning not only illustrated God’s holiness but also served to remove the sin that had brought judgment upon the entire community. The narrative carries the weighty theme that concealing sin prevents the community from experiencing God’s favor. Once Achan and his family were judged, Israel again saw victory in their campaign. In those days, the community often bore the consequences of one person’s disobedience, stressing the high level of accountability God expected from His covenant people (Leviticus 10:1-3 and Acts 5:1-11 provide parallels of swift judgment).
Moreover, “they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones” demonstrates how total the judgment was, destroying any reminder of the sin. This tragic event became a warning to future generations of Israelites to be faithful to the LORD’s instructions and to keep proper worship of Him (Deuteronomy 7:25). The Valley of Achor thereafter became a symbol—initially of trouble (Joshua 7:25) but later used as an image of hope and restoration (Hosea 2:15).
This passage ultimately foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on repentance and holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1). God desires a pure community, and Jesus, by His perfect sacrifice, provides the means to address sin thoroughly. Through Christ, God’s people are freed from bondage so that they may serve Him in faith and obedience.
It shows that God’s holy presence cannot tolerate hidden sin, yet He offers restoration when wrongdoing is exposed and confessed—and when atonement is made.
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Joshua 7:25 meaning
We read in Joshua 7 that a man named Achan hid plunder in disobedience to the LORD’s command, causing disaster for Israel when they tried to conquer Ai. When Joshua discovered this sin, Achan confessed, and he and his family faced a severe judgment. Joshua 7:25 states, “Joshua said, ‘Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day.’ And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.” (Joshua 7:25). These words are spoken under Joshua’s leadership around 1400 BC (the approximate time when Israel entered the Promised Land after Moses’ death). Joshua was Moses’ successor, leading the Israelites to claim the land God had promised them (Joshua 1:1-2). Geographically, the event took place near Jericho in the valley that would later be called the Valley of Achor (meaning “trouble”), a reference to Achan’s sin bringing trouble on the nation (Joshua 7:26). This valley is located near the southwestern region of Jericho, in the southern part of the land of Canaan.
We read, “Joshua said, ‘Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day.’ And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones.” The stoning and burning not only illustrated God’s holiness but also served to remove the sin that had brought judgment upon the entire community. The narrative carries the weighty theme that concealing sin prevents the community from experiencing God’s favor. Once Achan and his family were judged, Israel again saw victory in their campaign. In those days, the community often bore the consequences of one person’s disobedience, stressing the high level of accountability God expected from His covenant people (Leviticus 10:1-3 and Acts 5:1-11 provide parallels of swift judgment).
Moreover, “they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones” demonstrates how total the judgment was, destroying any reminder of the sin. This tragic event became a warning to future generations of Israelites to be faithful to the LORD’s instructions and to keep proper worship of Him (Deuteronomy 7:25). The Valley of Achor thereafter became a symbol—initially of trouble (Joshua 7:25) but later used as an image of hope and restoration (Hosea 2:15).
This passage ultimately foreshadows the New Testament emphasis on repentance and holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1). God desires a pure community, and Jesus, by His perfect sacrifice, provides the means to address sin thoroughly. Through Christ, God’s people are freed from bondage so that they may serve Him in faith and obedience.
It shows that God’s holy presence cannot tolerate hidden sin, yet He offers restoration when wrongdoing is exposed and confessed—and when atonement is made.