Joshua 6:18

But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Joshua addresses the Israelite army immediately after the fall of Jericho, issuing a command before the troops divide the spoils.

The words — The Hebrew term חֵ֔רֶם (Che.rem) denotes "devoted things" or objects set apart for destruction, while the verb שִׁמְר֣וּ (shim.Ru) commands the people to "keep away" from them.

The thread — This warning against violating the ban recurs in Joshua 7:1 when Achan's violation triggers corporate disaster, and echoes in the New Testament commands to avoid idolatry in 1 John 5:21 and Ephesians 5:11.

Why it lands — The text states that taking devoted items transfers destruction onto the individual and the entire camp, demanding strict obedience to divine boundaries rather than personal gain.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

וְרַק־ve./rak-and/ only אַתֶּם֙'a.Temyou שִׁמְר֣וּshim.Rukeep מִן־min-from הַחֵ֔רֶםha./Che.remthe/ devoted thing[s]פֶּֽן־pen-lest תַּחֲרִ֖ימוּta.cha.Ri.muyou should totally destroy וּלְקַחְתֶּ֣םu./le.kach.Temand/ you will take מִן־min-any of הַחֵ֑רֶםha./Che.remthe/ devoted thing[s]וְשַׂמְתֶּ֞םve./sam.Temand/ you will make אֶת־'et-<obj.>מַחֲנֵ֤הma.cha.Neh[the] camp of יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Yis.ra.'ElIsrael לְחֵ֔רֶםle./Che.reminto/ a devoted thing וַעֲכַרְתֶּ֖םva./'a.khar.Temand/ you will trouble אוֹתֽוֹ׃'o.T/o<obj.>/ it

King James Version

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.

Cross-references

1 John 5:21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
Ephesians 5:11 Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Joshua 7:1 The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.
Joshua 7:11 Israel 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.
Joshua 7:25 “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies.
2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
1 Kings 18:17 When Ahab saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, O troubler of Israel?”
Ecclesiastes 9:18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Jonah 1:12 “Pick me up,” he answered, “and cast me into the sea, so it may quiet down for you. For I know that I am to blame for this violent storm that has come upon you.”
Romans 12:9 Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.