The BibleGospel Companion

Achan

עָכָן · a.khan · H5912עָכָר · a.khar · H5917“or Achar, he that troubleth” Hitchcock's 18697 mentions in 2 books, most in Joshua (6)

Who he was

Achan was an Israelite from the tribe of Judah who violated God's command by taking devoted things from the conquered city of Jericho (Jos. 7:1). His sin caused Israel's defeat in the battle against Ai. When Joshua sought the Lord's guidance, God revealed that someone had stolen from the devoted things (Jos. 7:10-15).

Through a process of elimination, Achan was identified as the culprit (Jos. 7:16-18). He confessed to taking a beautiful cloak from Shinar, silver, and gold, hiding them in his tent (Jos. 7:19-21). As a result, Achan and his family were stoned to death, and their remains were burned (Jos. 7:24-25). The place where this occurred was named the Valley of Achor, meaning "trouble" (Jos. 7:26). Achan's sin and its consequences were remembered as a warning against unfaithfulness to God (Jos. 22:20).

Article: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Family

FatherCarmi
Family relations: STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0

Every mention

7 references, counted from STEPBible, Tyndale House Cambridge · CC BY 4.0 · verse text: World English Bible (public domain)

Joshua 6 mentions

Joshua 7:1But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the devoted things; for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted…Joshua 7:18He brought near his household man by man, and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was selected.Joshua 7:19Joshua said to Achan, “My son, please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and make confession to him. Tell me now what you have done! Don’t hide it from me!”Joshua 7:20Achan answered Joshua, and said, “I have truly sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done.Joshua 7:24Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the robe, the wedge of gold, his sons, his daughters, his cattle, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent, and all that…Joshua 22:20Didn’t Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the devoted thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? That man didn’t perish alone in his iniquity.’”

1 Chronicles 1 mention

1 Chronicles 2:7The son of Carmi: Achar, the troubler of Israel, who committed a trespass in the devoted thing.

What the dictionary says

Called also Achar, i.e., one who troubles (1 Chr. 2:7), in commemoration of his crime, which brought upon him an awful destruction (Josh. 7:1).

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
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Sources