Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 7:12
Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
12. except ye destroy the accursed from among you ] The LXX. translate, “Except ye remove the accursed thing, the Anathema, from among you,” using the identical word for remove that St Paul uses respecting the incestuous Corinthian, “therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person,” 1Co 5:13.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Accursed – Compare Jos 6:17-18.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 12. Because they were accursed] From this verse it appears that the nature of the execration or anathema was such, that those who took of the thing doomed to destruction fell immediately under the same condemnation. The inhabitants of Jericho and all that they had were accursed: therefore they and all their substance were to be destroyed. The Israelites took of the accursed thing, and therefore became accursed with it. This was certainly understood when the curse was pronounced: Every man who touches this property shall be involved in the same execration. Achan therefore was sufficiently aware of the risk he ran in taking any part of the anathematized thing; and when viewed in this light, the punishment inflicted on him will appear to be perfectly just and proper.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Because they were accursed, as I warned and threatened them, Jos 6:18, they have put themselves out of my protection and blessing, and therefore are liable to the same destruction which belongs to this accursed people.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies,…. Being forsaken of God for the sin committed among them:
[but] turned [their] backs before their enemies: had not courage to face them, but fled as soon as they appeared:
because they were accursed; of God for the accursed thing that had been taken, as was threatened would be their case, should they take any of it; Jos 6:18;
neither will I be with you any more, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you; that is, until they had put to death the person who had taken of the accursed thing, and made himself thereby accursed, and even all the camp of Israel; till this was done, the Lord would not be with them to protect and defend them, and give them success against their enemies.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
12. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies In the moral government of God there is a causal connexion between moral and natural evil, between sin and suffering. But how few the national leaders who have eyes to see the relation which a nation’s righteous character sustains to its victory in war and its prosperity and greatness in peace! The atheistic apothegm of Napoleon, that Providence always favours the strongest battalions, is still believed by the statesmen of even Christian nations. God, as the disposer of human events, finds too little recognition in camps, courts, and cabinets.
Neither will I be with you any more This declaration proves that the strong promise of Jos 1:5, was conditioned on the fidelity of Israel.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
“ That is why the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies because they are become devoted. I will not be with you any more until you remove the devoted thing from among you.”
Because the devoted thing was among them they too were devoted to destruction. Thus they received no assistance against their enemies. Indeed that was why they had turned their backs on them. The only way to change the situation was to remove the devoted thing from the camp, and this would include all who were directly affected by it. Achan had brought his family into his sin. Some of them no doubt knew about it but did nothing. But all would suffer for his sin. We need to remember that in the end our sins and attitudes directly affect others.
“I will not be with you any more until you remove the devoted thing from among you.” ‘You’ is in the plural. Here YHWH changes his approach to speak as though directly to the people, both to make the words more vivid and to remove any suggestion that Joshua is himself in view. Such sudden changes in person occur fairly regularly elsewhere.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Such will be the issue in all generations. Sin separates between the Lord and man, and it is Jesus only which makes up the breach, by his blood and righteousness. Reader! mark the solemn expression of the Lord’s determination; in which the Lord saith, neither will I be with you anymore, except ye destroy the accursed from among you. Oh! for grace to search out the Achan in the heart; to accept the punishment of our iniquity; to put away the ungodly thing, and to come under that blood of sprinkling, which alone cleanseth from all sin. Lev 26:41-42 ; Heb 12:24 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.
Ver. 12. Therefore the children of Israel could not stand. ] Sin is that great discord maker, hell-hag, cut-throat, troubler, mother of all mischief: and that was a very good answer of an English captain at the loss of Calais, when a proud Frenchman tauntingly asked, When will ye fetch Calais again? the reply was, Quando peccata vestra erunt nostris graviora, When your sins shall weigh down ours.
Neither will I be with you any more.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
(10-13) There is a minute correspondence between Jos 7:10-13, an Extended alternation of five members each, for which we have no space; also between Jos 7:14 and Jos 7:16-18.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the children: Jos 22:18-20, Num 14:45, Jdg 2:4, Psa 5:4, Psa 5:5, Pro 28:1, Isa 59:2, Hab 1:13
they were: Jos 6:18, Deu 7:26, Hag 2:13, Hag 2:14
neither: Jer 6:8, Jer 23:33, Hos 9:12
Reciprocal: Lev 20:4 – and kill Lev 26:37 – and ye shall Num 14:42 – General Num 25:13 – atonement Deu 21:23 – he that is hanged is accursed of God Deu 25:19 – thou shalt Jdg 1:19 – but could Jdg 2:14 – could not Jdg 16:20 – the Lord 1Sa 4:2 – Israel 2Sa 21:1 – It is 1Ki 8:33 – because they have 2Ki 5:24 – and bestowed 2Ch 6:24 – because 2Ch 20:37 – Because Psa 44:10 – Thou Psa 60:10 – didst Psa 106:30 – General Pro 15:27 – He that is Ecc 9:18 – sinner Lam 1:6 – her princes Jon 1:12 – for Mal 1:14 – cursed Mal 3:9 – General Act 5:2 – kept Gal 5:12 – cut
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7:12 Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye {f} destroy the accursed from among you.
(f) Then to allow wickedness unpunished, is to refuse God willingly.