Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The children of Israel committed a grave sin by taking some of the devoted things for themselves. Achan, son of Carmi, from the tribe of Judah, had taken these forbidden items, which sparked the Lord's fierce anger against his people.

Joshua sent men to spy out the land around Ai, a town east of Bethel. He instructed them not to take all the people with them but instead to choose about two or three thousand soldiers. These men went up to Ai and were quickly routed by its inhabitants, losing thirty-six men in the process.

Upon hearing this news, Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the ground before the ark of the Lord, accompanied by the elders of Israel. They all put dust on their heads as a sign of mourning. Joshua prayed, "Lord God, why have you led us across the Jordan only to hand us over to the Amorites? Why did we not remain on the other side of the river?"

He asked, "What will I say to you when our enemies hear about this defeat and surround us? Won't they cut off our name from the earth?" The Lord replied to Joshua, "Get up! Don't lie there."

The Lord told Joshua that Israel had broken his covenant by taking some of the devoted things. This sin led to their defeat because they were now accursed, bearing the consequences of their actions. The Lord declared that unless these cursed items were removed from among them, he would no longer be with them.

Joshua called for the people to purify themselves and said, "Tomorrow, you will come before God according to your tribes. The tribe that the Lord chooses will proceed by families, then families by households, and finally a household by individual members." Anyone found with the accursed items was to be burned along with all their possessions.

The next morning, Joshua led Israel near to God by their tribes, starting with Judah. The family of the Zerahites was taken, followed by Zabdi's household, where Achan, son of Carmi, was discovered.

Joshua asked Achan to confess his sin and reveal what he had done. Achan admitted taking a fine Babylonian cloak, two hundred shekels of silver, and a gold bar weighing fifty shekels from the spoils. He hid these items in the earth beneath his tent.

Messengers were sent to retrieve the stolen goods, which they found hidden in Achan's tent. Joshua gathered all Israel around him and publicly exposed Achan and his belongings before the Lord.

Joshua and all Israel took Achan, along with his family, livestock, and possessions, and brought them to the valley of Achor. There, Joshua condemned Achan, saying, "You have troubled us. The Lord will trouble you today." All Israel stoned him to death and then burned his body with fire.

A great heap of stones was raised over Achan's remains as a memorial, which still stands to this day. The Lord's fierce anger subsided, and the valley where this incident occurred became known as the Valley of Achor.