Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.

JOSHUA 22:20KJV
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Joshua 22:20 (KJV)

What does Joshua 22:20 mean?

Joshua 22:20 reminds the Israelites that when Achan, the son of Zerah, sinned by taking things that were under a curse, God's anger affected the entire community, not just Achan himself. The verse points out that Achan did not die alone for his wrongdoing; others suffered consequences because of his actions.

In this verse, Joshua is speaking to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh, warning them about the serious impact of unfaithfulness to God. He uses the story of Achan from earlier in Israel’s history to show that one person's sin can bring trouble on many, emphasizing the shared responsibility and consequences within the community.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 22:20

  • "trespass" (מָעַל, ma‘al): This word means to act unfaithfully or to break trust, especially in a way that violates a sacred agreement. Joshua uses it to highlight the seriousness of Achan’s disobedience.
  • "the accursed thing" (חֵרֶם, ḥerem): This refers to items that were devoted to destruction or set apart for God, not to be taken for personal use. Taking from the ḥerem was a direct violation of God’s command.
  • "wrath" (קֶצֶף, qeṣep̄): This word describes a sudden outburst of anger, especially God’s anger in response to disobedience. The verse stresses that God’s wrath was not limited to the individual but affected the whole congregation.
  • "perished" (גָּוַע, gāva‘): This word means to die or be destroyed. The verse notes that Achan’s death was not isolated—his sin led to the suffering and loss of others as well.

Why Joshua 22:20 matters

  • Joshua 22:20 clarifies that in Israel’s community, individual actions could have far-reaching effects, challenging the idea that sin is only a private matter.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of violating what God has set apart, showing that unfaithfulness can endanger the whole group, not just the person who sinned.
  • By recalling Achan’s story, Joshua warns the eastern tribes not to repeat past mistakes, connecting their current choices to the lessons learned from Israel’s earlier failures.