Comentarios bíblicos

Achan takes of the accursed and devoted thing: God is angry with Israel, Joshua 7:1. Joshua sends three thousand men against Ai; they flee, and thirty-six are slain, Joshua 7:2-5. Joshua complains to God; who discovers the cause, and enjoins a lot, Joshua 7:6-15. Achan is found guilty: Joshua’s advice, and his confession, Joshua 7:16-21. He and his are stoned and burnt: the place named The valley of Achor, Joshua 7:22-26.

The children of Israel, i.e. one of them, by a very usual synecdoche or enallage, as Genesis 8:4 19:29 Matthew 26:8, where that is ascribed to the disciples, which belonged to Judas only, John 12:4. In the accursed thing, i.e. in taking some of the forbidden and accursed goods.

Zabdi; called also Zimri, 1 Chronicles 2:6. Zerah, or, Zarah, who was Judah’s immediate son, Genesis 38:30, who went with Judah into Egypt; and so for the filling up the two hundred and fifty-six years that are supposed to come between that and this time, we must allow Achan to be now an old man, and his three ancestors to have begotten each his son at about sixty years of age, which at that time was not incredible nor unusual. Against the children of Israel. Why did God punish the whole society for this one man’s sin?

Answ. All of them were punished for their own sins, whereof each had a sufficient proportion; but God took this occasion to inflict the punishment upon the society, partly, because divers of them might be guilty of this sin, either by coveting what he actually did, or by concealing of his fault, which it is probable could not be unknown to others, or by not sorrowing for it, and endeavouring to purge themselves from it; partly, to make sin the more hateful, as being the cause of such dreadful and public judgments; and partly, to oblige all the members of every society to be both more circumspect in the ordering of their own actions, and more diligent to watch over one another, and to prevent the miscarriages of their brethren, which is a great benefit and blessing to them, and to the whole society, and worthy to be purchased by a sharp affliction upon the society.

Ai, called Hai, Genesis 12:8, and Alia, Nehemiah 11:31. They were not to go into the city of Ai, but into the country bordering and belonging to it, and there to understand the state and quality of the place and people.

Beside; so the Hebrew im is used, Genesis 25:11 35:4 Judges 9:6 18:3 19:11.

Beth-aven; a city or town distinct from, but nigh unto

Beth-el, though Beth-el was afterwards by allusion called Beth-aven, Hosea 4:15 10:5. Compare Joshua 18:12. On the east side of Beth-el: compare Genesis 12:8 Joshua 8:9,12.

This was done by the wise contrivance of Divine Providence, that their sin might be punished, and they awakened and reformed, with as little hazard, and mischief, and reproach as might be; for if the defeat of these caused so great a consternation in Joshua, it is easy to guess what dread, and confusion, and despair it would have caused in the people, if a great host had been defeated.

Not having their usual courage to strike a stroke, which was a plain evidence that God had forsaken them; and a useful instruction, to show them what weak and inconsiderable creatures they were when God left them; and that it was God, not their own valour, that gave the Canaanites and their land into their hands.

About thirty and six men; a dear victory to them, whereby Israel was awakened, and reformed, and reconciled to their God and Shield, and they hardened to their own ruin.

In the going down; by which it seems it was a downhill way to Jericho, which was nearer Jordan.

As water, soft and weak, and full of fluctuation and trembling.

Joshua rent his clothes, in testimony of great sorrow, as Genesis 37:34 44:13, for the loss felt, the consequent mischief feared, and the sin which he suspected.

Fell to the earth upon his face, in deep humiliation and fervent supplication.

Until the eventide; continuing the whole day in fasting and prayer.

Put dust upon their heads; as was usual in case of grief and astonishment, 1 Samuel 4:12 2 Samuel 1:2 13:19 Jonah 3:6 Micah 1:10.

These clauses, though well intended, and offered to God only by way of expostulation and argument, yet do savour of human infirmity, and fall short of that reverence, and modesty, and submission which he owed to God; and are mentioned as instances that the holy men of God were subject to like passions and infirmities with other men.

What shall I say, in answer to the reproaches cast by our insulting enemies upon us, and upon thy name?

Israel; God’s own people, which he hath singled out of all nations for his own peculiar.

See Poole "Genesis 1:1", See Poole "Genesis 1:2"