Joshua 7:20
Joshua 7:20 in Multiple Translations
“It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did:
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Of a truth I have sinned against Jehovah, the God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
And Achan, answering, said to Joshua, Truly I have done wrong against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done:
“It's true!” Achan replied. “I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel. This is what I did.
And Achan answered Ioshua, and saide, In deede, I haue sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus, and thus haue I done.
And Achan answereth Joshua, and saith, 'Truly I have sinned against Jehovah, God of Israel, and thus and thus I have done;
Achan answered Joshua, and said, “I have truly sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done.
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done.
And Achan answered Josue, and said to him: Indeed I have sinned against the Lord the God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done.
Achan replied, “It is true. I have sinned against Yahweh, the God whom we Israelis worship.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 7:20
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Joshua 7:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 7:20
Study Notes — Joshua 7:20
- Context
- Cross References
- Joshua 7:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joshua 7:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 7:20
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 7:20
- Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 7:20
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 7:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 7:20
- Sermons on Joshua 7:20
Context — The Sin of Achan
20“It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did:
21When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.” 22So Joshua sent messengers who ran to the tent, and there it all was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 38:18 | Yes, I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. |
| 2 | Job 33:27 | Then he sings before men with these words: ‘I have sinned and perverted what was right; yet I did not get what I deserved. |
| 3 | Genesis 42:21 | Then they said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw his anguish when he pleaded with us, but we would not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.” |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 15:24 | Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned; I have transgressed the LORD’s commandment and your instructions, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. |
| 5 | Matthew 27:4 | “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said. “What is that to us?” they replied. “You bear the responsibility.” |
| 6 | Job 7:20 | If I have sinned, what have I done to You, O watcher of mankind? Why have You made me Your target, so that I am a burden to You ? |
| 7 | Numbers 22:34 | “I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.” |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 15:30 | “I have sinned,” Saul replied. “Please honor me now before the elders of my people and before Israel. Come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God.” |
| 9 | Exodus 10:16 | Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “I have sinned against the LORD your God and against you. |
Joshua 7:20 Summary
[Joshua 7:20 shows us that when we are honest with God about our mistakes, we can start to make things right. Achan admits that he did something wrong and takes responsibility for his actions, which is an important step towards healing and restoration, as seen in Psalm 32:5 where it says 'Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity'. By acknowledging our sin, we can experience forgiveness and move forward in our relationship with God, just like the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32 who returns to his father and is welcomed back with open arms.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What led Achan to confess his sin in Joshua 7:20?
Achan's confession was prompted by Joshua's urging and the realization that he had been caught, as seen in Joshua 7:19, where Joshua encourages Achan to give glory to the Lord and make a confession, similar to the call to repentance in Proverbs 28:13.
Why is it significant that Achan says he sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel?
By acknowledging that he sinned against the Lord, Achan recognizes the divine authority and sovereignty of God, much like David does in Psalm 51:4 when he says 'Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight'.
How does Achan's response in Joshua 7:20 relate to the concept of accountability?
Achan's admission of guilt demonstrates the importance of personal accountability before God, as emphasized in Romans 14:12, where it is written that 'each of us will give an account of himself to God'.
What can we learn from Achan's example about the nature of sin?
Achan's actions and subsequent confession illustrate that sin is a violation of God's law and a personal offense against Him, as stated in 1 John 3:4, which defines sin as 'lawlessness'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be hiding sin, and how can I come before the Lord with a humble and honest heart like Achan did in Joshua 7:20?
- In what ways can I, like Joshua, create an environment where others feel encouraged to confess their sins and seek forgiveness?
- How does recognizing that my sin is against the Lord, the God of Israel, impact my understanding of the severity and seriousness of sin?
- What role does accountability play in my spiritual journey, and how can I cultivate a sense of accountability before God and others?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 7:20
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 7:20
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 7:20
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 7:20
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 7:20
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 7:20
Sermons on Joshua 7:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Purposes of Confession by Steve Mays | In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays discusses the story of Moses and the consequences of his disobedience. He emphasizes the importance of confession and taking responsibility for ou |
|
Confession of Sin by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon delivers a powerful sermon on the 'Confession of Sin,' emphasizing its necessity for salvation and the different types of confessions found in Scripture. He illustrat |
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True Confession of Sin by Erlo Stegen | Erlo Stegen emphasizes the necessity of true confession of sin, illustrating through six biblical examples that mere acknowledgment of wrongdoing is insufficient for forgiveness. H |
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Exodus 9:27 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith discusses the theme of confession of sin, illustrating various types of confessions from the Bible, including the terror-driven confession of Pharaoh, the insincere con |
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Audio Sermon: No Tears by R. Edward Miller | This sermon emphasizes the importance of allowing God to break through our emotional barriers, encouraging the expression of genuine emotions before God. It highlights the signific |
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Deliberate Holiness by Tim Conway | This sermon focuses on Psalms 119:57 where David declares, 'The Lord is my portion; I promise to keep your words.' The speaker emphasizes the importance of deliberate holiness, bei |
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Confessing Our Weakness in the Miseries of Life by Thomas a Kempis | Thomas a Kempis reflects on the struggles of a disciple who confesses his weaknesses, battles temptations, and laments the constant conflicts between the flesh and the spirit. He q |







