When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

JOSHUA 7:21KJV
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Joshua 7:21 (KJV)

What does Joshua 7:21 mean?

Joshua 7:21 records Achan’s confession that he saw valuable items among the captured goods, desired them, took them, and hid them in his tent. This verse shows Achan admitting his actions that broke God’s command not to take anything from Jericho’s destruction.

Achan is speaking to Joshua and the leaders of Israel after being identified as the one responsible for Israel’s defeat at Ai. He describes seeing a beautiful Babylonian garment, silver, and a gold bar, then feeling desire and taking them, hiding them in his tent. This confession explains why Israel suffered defeat and reveals the personal process of temptation and disobedience.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 7:21

  • The word for “coveted” (חָמַד, chamad) means to strongly desire or long for something, showing that Achan’s wrongdoing began in his heart before he acted.
  • The term “Babylonish garment” uses שִׁנְעָרִי (shin‘ari), referring to a fine robe from Shinar (Babylon), which was known for luxury—highlighting the appeal of foreign wealth.
  • The word for “hid” (טָמַן, taman) means to conceal or bury, emphasizing that Achan knew he was doing something wrong and tried to cover it up.

Why Joshua 7:21 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Achan’s sin was not just theft but also disobedience to a direct command from God, which affected the entire community.
  • The detailed confession shows the step-by-step nature of temptation: seeing, desiring, taking, and hiding, which helps readers understand how wrongdoing often unfolds.
  • Joshua 7:21 connects to the broader story by explaining the cause of Israel’s earlier defeat and setting up the resolution of the community’s guilt.