What does Joshua 7:19 mean?
"And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me." - Joshua 7:19

Joshua 7:19 (KJV) reads, "And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the Lord God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me."
This verse comes from the book of Joshua in the Old Testament, and it is a pivotal moment in the narrative. It takes place after the Israelites suffer a defeat at the hands of the inhabitants of Ai, a small city they had expected to conquer easily. The defeat is a bewildering and demoralizing setback for the Israelites, who had just experienced a miraculous victory at the city of Jericho under Joshua's leadership.
The Israelites had been told by God to take nothing from Jericho as it was considered devoted to the Lord. However, Achan, a member of the tribe of Judah, had disobeyed this command and took some of the forbidden plunder for himself. This disobedience had caused the entire community to suffer defeat, and as a consequence, Achan and his family faced judgment.
In this verse, Joshua confronts Achan and commands him to give glory to the Lord God of Israel and make confession for his wrongdoing. Joshua's use of the term "My son" demonstrates the closeness of their relationship and his loving approach to the situation. He urges Achan to confess his sin and not hide it, suggesting that honesty and repentance are the only way to restore harmony and favor with God.
The verse carries several important themes that are applicable both in the historical context of the Israelites and in a broader religious and moral context. One key theme is the concept of corporate responsibility and collective punishment. Achan's sin has affected the entire community, highlighting the interconnectedness of the Israelites and the principle that individual actions have consequences for the entire group. This idea of communal responsibility for sin is central to the Old Testament's moral and ethical framework and remains an important aspect of many religious teachings.
Another essential theme in this verse is the necessity of confession and repentance for forgiveness. Joshua's instruction to Achan emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one's wrongdoing and seeking reconciliation with God and the community. The act of confession is not only a means of seeking forgiveness but also a way of humbling oneself and taking responsibility for one's actions.
Additionally, the verse underscores the significance of giving glory to the Lord and recognizing His authority. Joshua's directive to Achan to give glory to the Lord serves as a reminder that all honor and praise belong to God, and humans must acknowledge His sovereignty and righteousness.
Symbolism also plays a significant role in this verse, with Achan representing the broader theme of temptation and disobedience. Achan's actions reflect the allure of material wealth and the human tendency to prioritize personal gain over obedience to God's commands. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the destructive consequences of succumbing to temptation and ignoring divine instructions.
In a broader context, this verse speaks to the universal themes of accountability, repentance, and the pursuit of righteousness. It offers valuable lessons about the importance of moral integrity, humility, and the consequences of sin. Overall, Joshua 7:19 (KJV) encapsulates essential principles of faith, morality, and communal responsibility, making it a thought-provoking and instructive passage for believers and non-believers alike.
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Joshua 7:19 Artwork
Joshua 7:19 - "And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me."
"And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me." - Joshua 7:19
Joshua 19:7 - "Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities and their villages:"
"Ain, Remmon, and Ether, and Ashan; four cities and their villages:" - Joshua 19:7
Joshua 19:19 - "And Haphraim, and Shion, and Anaharath,"
"And Haphraim, and Shion, and Anaharath," - Joshua 19:19
Joshua 19:4 - "And Eltolad, and Bethul, and Hormah,"
Joshua 19:42 - "And Shaalabbin, and Ajalon, and Jethlah,"
Joshua 19:44 - "And Eltekeh, and Gibbethon, and Baalath,"
Joshua 19:43 - "And Elon, and Thimnathah, and Ekron,"
Joshua 19:36 - "And Adamah, and Ramah, and Hazor,"
Joshua 19:20 - "And Rabbith, and Kishion, and Abez,"
Joshua 19:37 - "And Kedesh, and Edrei, and En-hazor,"
Joshua 19:3 - "And Hazar-shual, and Balah, and Azem,"
Joshua 19:5 - "And Ziklag, and Beth-marcaboth, and Hazar-susah,"
Joshua 19:45 - "And Jehud, and Bene-berak, and Gath-rimmon,"
Joshua 19:25 - "And their border was Helkath, and Hali, and Beten, and Achshaph,"
Joshua 19:18 - "And their border was toward Jezreel, and Chesulloth, and Shunem,"
Joshua 19:49 - "¶ When they had made an end of dividing the land for inheritance by their coasts, the children of Israel gave an inheritance to Joshua the son of Nun among them:"
Joshua 19:41 - "And the coast of their inheritance was Zorah, and Eshtaol, and Ir-shemesh,"
Joshua 19:2 - "And they had in their inheritance Beer-sheba, or Sheba, and Moladah,"
Joshua 12:19 - "The king of Madon, one; the king of Hazor, one;"
Joshua 19:46 - "And Me-jarkon, and Rakkon, with the border before Japho."
Joshua 7:16 - "¶ So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:"
Joshua 19:6 - "And Beth-lebaoth, and Sharuhen; thirteen cities and their villages:"
Joshua 13:19 - "And Kirjathaim, and Sibmah, and Zareth-shahar in the mount of the valley,"
Joshua 19:35 - "And the fenced cities are Ziddim, Zer, and Hammath, Rakkath, and Chinnereth,"
Joshua 7:22 - "¶ So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it."
Joshua 19:16 - "This is the inheritance of the children of Zebulun according to their families, these cities with their villages."
Joshua 19:21 - "And Remeth, and En-gannim, and En-haddah, and Beth-pazzez;"