Joshua 7:11

Joshua 7:11 Meaning and Explanation

Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

King James Version (KJV)

Read this verse in context with translation switching:

Read Full Chapter →

God reveals the cause: Israel has sinned and broken the covenant by taking, stealing, lying about, and hiding the devoted things.

What Does Joshua 7:11 Mean?

Now the LORD names what Joshua could not see. Israel has sinned and broken covenant. The single act is described in a piling-up of verbs: they have taken, stolen, lied, and hidden the devoted spoil among their own belongings. The hidden thing in one tent is spoken of as the sin of the whole nation.

God's diagnosis is exact, for He sees what is buried out of sight. The verse exposes how one sin unfolds: a forbidden glance, a grasping hand, a covering lie, a concealment that drags God's holy things down into private gain. Yet there is mercy in the very naming. What God uncovers, He intends to heal. Sin brought into His light is sin on the way to being dealt with at last.

Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 7:11

What does Joshua 7:11 mean?

God reveals the cause: Israel has sinned and broken the covenant by taking, stealing, lying about, and hiding the devoted things.

Keep Studying Joshua 7

Read the whole chapter in KJV, ASV, or WEB, or go deeper with the chapter study guide and key themes.