And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:

JOSHUA 7:17KJV
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Joshua 7:17 (KJV)

What does Joshua 7:17 mean?

Joshua 7:17 describes how the tribe of Judah was brought forward, and from within that tribe, the family of the Zarhites was chosen. Then, each man of the Zarhite family was presented individually, and Zabdi was singled out. This is part of a process to identify someone responsible for wrongdoing.

This verse takes place after Israel’s defeat at Ai, when God tells Joshua that someone has sinned by taking things set apart for destruction. Joshua is following God’s instructions to narrow down the guilty party by tribe, then by family, and finally by individual. The verse shows the careful, step-by-step process used to reveal who is at fault.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 7:17

  • בָּא (ba’, “brought”; H7126): This word is used repeatedly to show the formal presentation or bringing forward of groups and individuals. It emphasizes the orderly, public nature of the investigation.
  • מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah, “family”; H4940): This term refers to a clan or extended family within a tribe. The process narrows from the larger tribe (Judah) to the specific family (Zarhites), highlighting the methodical search.
  • לָקַח (laqach, “took”; H3920): This verb is used for the act of selecting or taking, which in this context means being chosen by lot or divine indication. It shows that the selection was not random but guided.
  • זַבְדִּי (Zabdi; H2067): The name Zabdi is specifically mentioned as the one taken, marking the end of the process for this stage and moving closer to identifying the individual responsible.

Why Joshua 7:17 matters

  • Joshua 7:17 clarifies that the process of finding the guilty party was deliberate and public, not arbitrary or hidden, which would have reassured the community of its fairness.
  • The verse shows how ancient Israelite society was organized by tribes and families, and how responsibility could be traced through these groupings.
  • This step-by-step narrowing connects to the broader story of accountability in the community and sets up the next verses, where the individual sin is finally exposed.

Where else these words appear

“Zarhites” Hebrew H2227 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 26:13 Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
  • Numbers 26:20 And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:11 The eighth captain for the eighth month was Sibbecai the Hushathite, of the Zarhites: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.

“Zabdi” Hebrew H2067 · used in 6 verses

  • Joshua 7:1 But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
  • Joshua 7:18 And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was taken.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:27 And over the vineyards was Shimei the Ramathite: over the increase of the vineyards for the wine cellars was Zabdi the Shiphmite:

“man” Hebrew H1397 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 10:11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
  • Job 33:29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
  • Proverbs 30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,

“took” Hebrew H3920 · used in 112 verses

  • Numbers 21:32 And Moses sent to spy out Jaazer, and they took the villages thereof, and drove out the Amorites that were there.
  • Judges 9:50 Then went Abimelech to Thebez, and encamped against Thebez, and took it.
  • Proverbs 5:22 His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.