Bible Strands
Joshua 7:20
“It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did:
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Achan answers Joshua’s direct command to confess his hidden transgression against the God of Israel. He speaks at the moment of divine judgment when the Israelite camp’s defeat at Ai is traced to concealed disobedience.
The words — The Hebrew אָמְנָה ('a.me.Nah) translates literally as “truly,” while חָטָ֙אתִי֙ (cha.Ta.ti) means “I have sinned.” These terms anchor the verse in explicit verbal acknowledgment rather than vague regret.
The thread — Confession of personal guilt against God appears in Exodus 10:16 when Pharaoh acknowledges his sin, and in Genesis 42:21 where Joseph’s brothers recognize divine retribution. The pattern continues in Psalms 38:18 with a direct statement of confessing iniquity and being troubled by sin.
Why it lands — The text requires a clear, unreserved admission of specific wrongdoing before any explanation or restitution follows. It demands that readers stop concealing transgressions and state their guilt plainly before God.
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
King James Version
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
Cross-references
- Psalms 38:18 Yes, I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
- Genesis 42:21 Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”
- Exodus 10:16 Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you.
- Numbers 22:34 “I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.”
- 1 Samuel 15:24 Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.
- 1 Samuel 15:30 “I have sinned,” Saul replied. “Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.”
- Job 7:20 If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You?
- Job 33:27 Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved.
- Matthew 27:4 “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.”