Joshua 7:15 Meaning and Explanation
“And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath: because he hath transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he hath wrought folly in Israel.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The one found with the devoted thing is to be burned with all he has, because he has broken the covenant and committed an outrage in Israel.
What Does Joshua 7:15 Mean?
The sentence is declared in advance. The one found with the devoted spoil, along with all he possesses, will be burned, for he has broken the covenant and 'wrought folly in Israel.' The man who tried to enrich himself by taking what was God's will lose everything.
The weight of this judgment measures the seriousness of the sin. To violate the covenant was not a private misstep but a wound to the whole community bound to God. 'Folly' here means a moral outrage, not mere foolishness. Such severity confronts us with how costly sin truly is in the sight of a holy God. It also deepens our wonder at the gospel, where the One without fault bore the full cost in Himself, so that those who deserve judgment might be spared.
Joshua 7:15 in the Original Language
nebalah (נְבָלָה), 'folly' -- a disgraceful, outrageous act that violates sacred bonds, far more than mere foolishness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 7:15
What does Joshua 7:15 mean?
The one found with the devoted thing is to be burned with all he has, because he has broken the covenant and committed an outrage in Israel.