And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.

JOSHUA 7:26KJV
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Joshua 7:26 (KJV)

What does Joshua 7:26 mean?

Joshua 7:26 describes how the Israelites piled a large heap of stones over Achan as a lasting reminder of his punishment, and as a result, the LORD’s anger turned away from Israel. The place was then called the Valley of Achor, a name that remained up to the time the book was written.

This verse comes after Achan’s sin caused trouble for Israel, leading to their defeat at Ai. Joshua and the people are responding to God’s command by carrying out judgment on Achan. The heap of stones serves as a visible warning and memorial, while the name “Valley of Achor” (meaning “trouble”) marks the spot where God’s anger was turned aside from the community.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 7:26

  • “Heap” (עֵמֶק, ʿēmeq): This word refers to a mound or pile, emphasizing the physical memorial left over Achan’s body. It signals that the event was meant to be remembered by anyone passing by.
  • “Fierceness” (חֲרוֹן, ḥarōn) and “anger” (אַף, ʾaf): These words together describe the intensity of God’s wrath. “Fierceness” suggests a burning or flaring up, while “anger” literally means “nose” or “face,” often used for strong emotion in Hebrew.
  • “Achor” (עָכוֹר, ʿāḵōr): This name means “trouble” or “disturbance.” Naming the valley this way connects the place to the trouble Achan brought on Israel, making the lesson clear for future generations.

Why Joshua 7:26 matters

  • Joshua 7:26 shows that the consequences of sin were not hidden but made public, serving as a warning and a teaching point for the whole community.
  • The verse marks a turning point: after judgment was carried out, God’s anger was turned away, restoring Israel’s relationship with Him and allowing them to move forward.
  • The naming of the Valley of Achor ties the event to a specific location, helping later readers remember the seriousness of disobedience and the possibility of restored favor with God.

Where else these words appear

“Achor” Hebrew H5911 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 7:24 And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
  • Joshua 15:7 And the border went up toward Debir from the valley of Achor, and so northward, looking toward Gilgal, that is before the going up to Adummim, which is on the south side of the river: and the border passed toward the waters of Enshemesh, and the goings out thereof were at Enrogel:
  • Isaiah 65:10 And Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of Achor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.

“heap” Hebrew H1530 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 31:46 And Jacob said unto his brethren, Gather stones; and they took stones, and made an heap: and they did eat there upon the heap.
  • Psalms 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.
  • Isaiah 51:15 But I am the LORD thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is his name.

“fierceness” Hebrew H2740 · used in 40 verses

  • Exodus 15:7 And in the greatness of thine excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee: thou sentest forth thy wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
  • Job 20:23 When he is about to fill his belly, God shall cast the fury of his wrath upon him, and shall rain it upon him while he is eating.
  • Jeremiah 25:38 He hath forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.

“valley” Hebrew H6010 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:3 All these were joined together in the vale of Siddim, which is the salt sea.
  • Judges 7:8 So the people took victuals in their hand, and their trumpets: and he sent all the rest of Israel every man unto his tent, and retained those three hundred men: and the host of Midian was beneath him in the valley.
  • Job 39:21 He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.