The Troubler of Israel
Achan, whose story is recounted in the Book of Joshua, is a sobering figure known for his act of disobedience that brought a collective curse and military defeat upon the children of Israel. He is identified by his full lineage: Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the Tribe of Judah.
The Transgression in the Accursed Thing
The narrative of Achan is inextricably linked to the first great victory of Israel in the promised land: the fall of Jericho. Before the city’s destruction, the Lord, through Joshua, had placed a strict ban upon the spoils. All the silver, gold, and vessels of brass and iron were to be consecrated to the Lord and brought into the treasury, while everything else was devoted to utter destruction. To take anything “accursed” for oneself was a trespass against God’s covenant.
Achan, however, was overcome by covetousness, as recorded in his own confession:
“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 7:21, KJV)
This singular act of disobedience constituted a “trespass in the accursed thing,” and as a result, the anger of the LORD was kindled not just against Achan, but “against the children of Israel” (Joshua 7:1, KJV).
The Consequence: Defeat at Ai
The immediate consequence of Achan’s sin was felt by the whole nation in their next military campaign against the small city of Ai. The men of Israel, expecting an easy victory, were routed, and about thirty-and-six men were killed. The defeat was so demoralizing that “the hearts of the people melted, and became as water” (Joshua 7:5, KJV).
Joshua, in his distress, cried out to the Lord, and God revealed the reason for the defeat:
“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. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies…” (Joshua 7:11-12, KJV)
Judgment in the Valley of Achor
The Lord instructed Joshua on how to find the offender through a solemn process of casting lots, which narrowed the culprit down by tribe, family, and household, until Achan was identified. After Achan’s confession and the discovery of the hidden goods in his tent, the judgment was swift and severe.
Joshua confronted him, saying:
“Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with stones, and burned them with fire, after they had stoned them with stones.” (Joshua 7:25, KJV)
Achan, his sons and his daughters, his livestock, and all that belonged to him were taken to a valley and utterly destroyed to purge the sin from the midst of Israel. The place was named The Valley of Achor (meaning Trouble), a perpetual memorial of the grave consequences of disobedience.
The story of Achan, who is also called Achar—”the troubler of Israel”—in 1 Chronicles 2:7, serves as a powerful testament to the communal nature of God’s covenant with Israel and the danger of hidden sin within the body of believers.