Joshua 7:15

The one who is caught with the things devoted to destruction must be burned, along with all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD and committed an outrage in Israel.’”

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Joshua conveys divine instructions to Israel concerning the identification and punishment of the individual who violated the sacred ban. This declaration occurs during the morning lot-selection process following the army's defeat at Ai.

The words — חֵרֶם (Che.rem) refers to the "devoted thing[s]" or irrevocable ban, and יִשָּׂרֵף (yi.sa.ref) literally means "he will be burned." These terms establish the mandatory destruction of both the offender and his possessions.

The thread — The pattern of communal inquiry to uncover hidden transgression appears in 1 Samuel 14:38, where Saul gathers leaders to determine how the sin occurred. Similar themes of corporate accountability and covenant violation are referenced in Genesis 34:7 and Judges 20:6.

Why it lands — The text states that the transgressor and all his belongings must be consumed by fire due to breaking the LORD's covenant. It requires readers to confront the reality that concealed disobedience corrupts the whole community and demands immediate, uncompromising resolution.

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

וְהָיָה֙ve./ha.Yahand/ it will be הַנִּלְכָּ֣דha./nil.Kadthe/ [one who] is taken by lot בַּחֵ֔רֶםba./Che.remwith the/ devoted thing[s]יִשָּׂרֵ֣ףyi.sa.Refhe will be burned בָּאֵ֔שׁba./'Eshwith <the>/ fire אֹת֖וֹ'o.T/o<obj.>/ him וְאֶת־ve./'Etand/ <obj.>כָּל־kol-all אֲשֶׁר־'a.Sher-thatל֑וֹl/o[belongs] to <the>/ himכִּ֤יkifor עָבַר֙'a.Varhe has transgressed אֶת־'et-<obj.>בְּרִ֣יתbe.Ritcovenant of יְהוָ֔הYah.wehYahweh וְכִֽי־ve./khi-and/ for עָשָׂ֥ה'a.Sahhe has done נְבָלָ֖הne.va.Lahdisgraceful folly בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃be./Yis.ra.'Elin/ Israel

King James Version

And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.

Cross-references

Genesis 34:7 When Jacob’s sons heard what had happened, they returned from the field. They were filled with grief and fury, because Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Jacob’s daughter—a thing that should not be done.
Judges 20:6 Then I took my concubine, cut her into pieces, and sent her throughout the land of Israel’s inheritance, because they had committed a lewd and disgraceful act in Israel.
1 Samuel 14:38 Therefore Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the troops, and let us investigate how this sin has occurred today.
Deuteronomy 13:15 you must surely put the inhabitants of that city to the sword. Devote to destruction all its people and livestock.
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.
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.
1 Samuel 26:21 Then Saul replied, “I have sinned. Come back, David my son. I will never harm you again, because today you considered my life precious. I have played the fool and have committed a grave error!”
2 Samuel 13:13 Where could I ever take my shame? And you would be like one of the fools in Israel! Please speak to the king, for he will not withhold me from you.”