Keraia
People

Achan

Achan took devoted things, leading to Israel's defeat at Ai.

The name Achan means “or Achar, he that troubleth”

MaleTribe of JudahOld Testament2 books11 verses

Summary

A man from the tribe of Judah living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Joshua 7:1; referred to as Achan (עָכָן, עָכָר); a son of Carmi.

Glossary entries

Achan, Achar

Family members

Father

Carmi

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 4 verses that refer to Achan without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. Joshua 7:1
    The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.
  2. Joshua 7:18
    And he had the family of Zabdi come forward man by man, and Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, was selected.
  3. Joshua 7:19
    So Joshua said to Achan, “My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and make a confession to Him. I urge you to tell me what you have done; do not hide it from me.”
  4. Joshua 7:20
    “It is true,” Achan replied, “I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did:
  5. Joshua 7:21Referred to, not named
    When 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.”
  6. Joshua 7:22Referred to, not named
    So Joshua sent messengers who ran to the tent, and there it all was, hidden in his tent, with the silver underneath.
  7. Joshua 7:24
    Then Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah, the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold, his sons and daughters, his oxen and donkeys and sheep, his tent, and everything else he owned, and brought them to the Valley of Achor.
  8. Joshua 7:25Referred to, not named
    “Why have you brought this trouble upon us?” said Joshua. “Today the LORD will bring trouble upon you!” And all Israel stoned him to death. Then they stoned the others and burned their bodies.
  9. Joshua 7:26Referred to, not named
    And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day.
  10. Joshua 22:20
    Was not Achan son of Zerah unfaithful regarding what was set apart for destruction, bringing wrath upon the whole congregation of Israel? Yet it was not only Achan who perished because of his sin!’”
  11. 1 Chronicles 2:7
    The son of Carmi: Achar, who brought trouble upon Israel by violating the ban on devoted things.