Joshua 6:18 Meaning and Explanation
“And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel is warned to keep away from the devoted things, lest by taking them they bring the curse and trouble upon the whole camp.
What Does Joshua 6:18 Mean?
Joshua issues a sober warning alongside the command to conquer. The people must keep themselves entirely from the "accursed thing" -- the spoil set apart to God. To take any of it for themselves would be to draw the curse onto their own heads and to bring trouble upon the whole camp of Israel.
The caution reveals how seriously God treats what belongs to Him. One person's hidden greed could endanger the entire community, for the people are bound together. Holiness here is not a private matter; faithfulness or sin affects the whole. The warning calls Israel to keep their hearts clear of what God has forbidden, trusting His provision rather than grasping for gain. To honor the Lord fully means letting His claim stand even over the treasures one's eyes desire.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 6:18
What does Joshua 6:18 mean?
Israel is warned to keep away from the devoted things, lest by taking them they bring the curse and trouble upon the whole camp.