Joshua 7:13 (KJV)

What does Joshua 7:13 mean?

Joshua 7:13 instructs Joshua to tell the Israelites to prepare themselves by setting themselves apart, because God has revealed that something forbidden is among them, and they cannot succeed against their enemies until it is removed. The verse stresses that the presence of this "accursed thing" is the reason for their defeat and must be dealt with before they can move forward.

Joshua is speaking to the people of Israel after their unexpected defeat at Ai. God tells Joshua to have the people "sanctify" themselves, which means to make themselves holy or set apart, because someone has taken something that was supposed to be destroyed. The verse highlights the seriousness of disobedience in the community and the need for everyone to address it before God will help them again.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 7:13

• "Sanctify" (קָדַשׁ, qadash): This word means to set apart or make holy. Here, it shows that the people must prepare themselves spiritually and physically to deal with the problem in their midst.
• "Thing" (חֵרֶם, cherem): This refers to something devoted to destruction or banned. The use of this word makes clear that the object in question is not just any item, but something under a special ban from God.
• "Midst" (קֶרֶב, qerev): This word means "in the middle" or "among." Its use emphasizes that the forbidden thing is not just nearby, but right within the community, affecting everyone.

Why Joshua 7:13 matters

• Joshua 7:13 clarifies that the defeat at Ai was not random or due to military weakness, but directly tied to disobedience within the community.
• The verse shows that God holds the whole community responsible for the actions of individuals when it comes to certain commands.
• This verse connects to the larger story by setting up the process of identifying and removing the cause of Israel's trouble, leading to restoration and future victories.