Joshua 7:13
New International Version
“Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There are devoted things among you, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.

New Living Translation
“Get up! Command the people to purify themselves in preparation for tomorrow. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Hidden among you, O Israel, are things set apart for the LORD. You will never defeat your enemies until you remove these things from among you.

English Standard Version
Get up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, God of Israel, “There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.”

Berean Standard Bible
Get up and consecrate the people, saying, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.

Berean Literal Bible
Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says YHWH, God of Israel: A devoted thing is among you, O Israel. You are not able to stand before the faces of your enemies until your⁺ turning aside of the devoted thing from among you⁺.

King James Bible
Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.

New King James Version
Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says the LORD God of Israel: “There is an accursed thing in your midst, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the accursed thing from among you.”

New American Standard Bible
Stand up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, because the LORD, the God of Israel, has said this: “There are things designated for destruction in your midst, Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you have removed the designated things from your midst.”

NASB 1995
“Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the LORD, the God of Israel, has said, “There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.”

NASB 1977
“Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the LORD, the God of Israel, has said, “There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.”

Legacy Standard Bible
Rise up! Set the people apart as holy and say, ‘Set yourselves apart as holy for tomorrow, for thus Yahweh, the God of Israel, has said, “There are things devoted to destruction in your midst, O Israel. You cannot rise before your enemies until you have removed the things devoted to destruction from your midst.”

Amplified Bible
Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: “There are things under the ban among you, O Israel. You cannot stand [victorious] before your enemies until you remove the things under the ban from among you.”

Berean Annotated Bible
Get up and consecrate the people, saying, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction. You cannot stand against your enemies until you⁺ remove them.

Christian Standard Bible
“Go and consecrate the people. Tell them to consecrate themselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There are things that are set apart among you, Israel. You will not be able to stand against your enemies until you remove what is set apart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Go and consecrate the people. Tell them to consecrate themselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: There are things that are set apart among you, Israel. You will not be able to stand against your enemies until you remove what is set apart.

American Standard Version
Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow: for thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, There is a devoted thing in the midst of thee, O Israel; thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the devoted thing from among you.

Contemporary English Version
Tell the people of Israel, "Tomorrow you will meet with the LORD your God, so make yourselves acceptable to worship him. The LORD says that you have taken things that should have been destroyed. You won't be able to stand up to your enemies until you get rid of those things.

English Revised Version
Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, There is a devoted thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the devoted thing from among you.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Get up! Tell the people, 'Get ready for tomorrow by performing the ceremonies to make yourselves holy. This is what the LORD God of Israel says: You have what I claimed for myself, Israel. You will not be able to defend yourselves against your enemies until you get rid of what I have claimed.

Good News Translation
Get up! Purify the people and get them ready to come before me. Tell them to be ready tomorrow, because I, the LORD God of Israel, have this to say: 'Israel, you have in your possession some things that I ordered you to destroy! You cannot stand against your enemies until you get rid of these things!'

International Standard Version
So get up and sanctify the people. Tell them, 'Sanctify yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, because this is what the LORD God of Israel, says: "There are things turned over to destruction among you, Israel. You won't be able to defeat your enemies until you remove what has been turned over to destruction.

NET Bible
Get up! Ritually consecrate the people and tell them this: 'Ritually consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, because the LORD God of Israel says, "You are contaminated, O Israel! You will not be able to stand before your enemies until you remove what is contaminating you."

New Heart English Bible
Get up. Sanctify the people, and say, 'Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, for the LORD, the God of Israel, says, "There is a devoted thing in the midst of you, Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted thing from among you."

Webster's Bible Translation
Rise, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to-morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thy enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
Get up and consecrate the people, saying, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.

World English Bible
Get up! Sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, for Yahweh, the God of Israel, says, “There is a devoted thing among you, Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted thing from among you.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Rise, sanctify the people, and you have said, Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus said YHWH, God of Israel: A devoted thing [is] in your midst, O Israel, you are not able to stand before your enemies until your turning aside the devoted thing from your midst;

Berean Literal Bible
Get up, sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow, because thus says YHWH, God of Israel: A devoted thing is among you, O Israel. You are not able to stand before the faces of your enemies until your⁺ turning aside of the devoted thing from among you⁺.

Young's Literal Translation
Rise, sanctify the people, and thou hast said, Sanctify yourselves for to-morrow; for thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, A devoted thing is in thy midst, O Israel, thou art not able to stand before thine enemies till your turning aside of the devoted thing out of your midst;

Smith's Literal Translation
Arise, consecrate the people, and say, Be ye consecrated for the morrow: for thus said Jehovah the God of Israel, A devoted thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou shalt not be able to rise up before thine enemy till your removing the devoted thing from the midst of you.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Arise, sanctify the people, and say to them: Be ye sanctified against to morrow: for thus saith the Lord God of Israel: The anathema is in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thy enemies, till he be destroyed out of thee that is defiled with this wickedness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Rise up. Sanctify the people. And you shall say to them: ‘Be sanctified tomorrow. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: That which is anathema is in your midst, O Israel! You are not able to stand before your enemies, until he who has been contaminated by this wickedness is taken away from you.’

New American Bible
Get up, sanctify the people. Tell them, “Sanctify yourselves before tomorrow, for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: That which is banned is in your midst, Israel. You cannot stand up to your enemies until you remove it from among you.

New Revised Standard Version
Proceed to sanctify the people, and say, ‘Sanctify yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, “There are devoted things among you, O Israel; you will be unable to stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Up, summon this people, and say, Be ready tomorrow; for thus says the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of you, O Israel; you cannot stand before your enemies any more until you remove the accursed thing from among you.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Arise! Summon this people and say: ‘Be assembled tomorrow, because thus says LORD JEHOVAH the God of Israel: a curse is among you, oh Israel! You are not able to stand again before your enemies until you will remove the curse from within you
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Up, sanctify the people, and say: Sanctify yourselves against tomorrow; for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: There is a curse in the midst of thee, O Israel; thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Rise, sanctify the people and tell them to sanctify themselves for the morrow: thus says the Lord God of Israel, The accursed thing is among you; ye shall not be able to stand before your enemies, until ye shall have removed the cursed thing from among you.

Additional Translations ...



Context
Israel Defeated at Ai
12This is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies. They will turn their backs and run from their enemies, because they themselves have been set apart for destruction. I will no longer be with you unless you remove from among you whatever is devoted to destruction. 13Get up and consecrate the people, saying, ‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them. 14In the morning you must present yourselves tribe by tribe. The tribe that the LORD selects shall come forward clan by clan, and the clan that the LORD selects shall come forward family by family, and the family that the LORD selects shall come forward man by man.…

Cross References
Get up and consecrate the people, saying,

Exodus 19:10-11
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes / and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.

Exodus 19:14
When Moses came down from the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes.
‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow,

Numbers 11:18
And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat.

Joshua 3:5
Then Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you.”
for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says:

Joshua 24:2
And Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Long ago your fathers, including Terah the father of Abraham and Nahor, lived beyond the Euphrates and worshiped other gods.

1 Samuel 10:18
and said to the Israelites, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the hands of the Egyptians and of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’

Judges 6:8
He sent them a prophet, who told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: I brought you up out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction.

Joshua 6:18
But keep away from the things devoted to destruction, lest you yourself be set apart for destruction. If you take any of these, you will set apart the camp of Israel for destruction and bring disaster upon it.

Deuteronomy 7:26
And you must not bring any detestable thing into your house, or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. You are to utterly detest and abhor it, because it is set apart for destruction.

Deuteronomy 13:17
Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands, so that the LORD will turn from His fierce anger, grant you mercy, show you compassion, and multiply you as He swore to your fathers,
You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.

Judges 2:14
Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.

Deuteronomy 28:25
The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will march out against them in one direction but flee from them in seven. You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.

Leviticus 26:17
And I will set My face against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee when no one pursues you.
Numbers 16:26
And he warned the congregation, “Move away now from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins.”

1 Samuel 15:22-23
But Samuel declared: “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obedience to His voice? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams. / For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”

2 Chronicles 29:5
“Listen to me, O Levites,” he said. “Consecrate yourselves now and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers. Remove from the Holy Place every impurity.


Treasury of Scripture

Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus said the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the middle of you, O Israel: you can not stand before your enemies, until you take away the accursed thing from among you.

sanctify

Joshua 3:5
And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.

Exodus 19:10-15
And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, …

Lamentations 3:40,41
Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD…

an accursed

Joshua 7:11
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.

2 Chronicles 28:10
And now ye purpose to keep under the children of Judah and Jerusalem for bondmen and bondwomen unto you: but are there not with you, even with you, sins against the LORD your God?

Matthew 7:5
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.

take away

1 Corinthians 5:1-6,11-13
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife…

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Accursed Curse Devoted Enemies Israel Midst Morrow Rise Sanctify Stand Tomorrow To-Morrow Yourselves
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Joshua 7
1. The Israelites are smitten at Ai
6. Joshua's complaint
10. God instructs him what to do
16. Achan is taken by the lot
19. His confession
24. He and all he had are destroyed in the valley of Achor












Get up and consecrate the people, saying,

Joshua was to act without delay and prepare Israel for God’s examination of the camp. Consecration called the people to purification and readiness before the holy God who dwelt among them.

Exo 19:10-11 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to the people…
Exo 19:14 When Moses came down from the mountain to the people,…

‘Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow,

The next day would bring the exposure of the offense and the removal of what had defiled Israel. The people were to prepare themselves soberly, recognizing that the defeat at Ai was tied to sin within the nation.

Num 11:18 And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow,…
Jos 3:5 Then Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves,…

for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says:

Joshua spoke under divine authority. The covenant God who had brought Israel into the land now addressed their disobedience and required accountability.

Jos 24:2 And Joshua said to all the people, “This is what the LORD…
1Sa 10:18 This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says:…
Jdg 6:8 He sent them a prophet, who told them…

Among you, O Israel, there are things devoted to destruction.

Property from Jericho had been taken despite God’s command that it be devoted to Him. Achan’s hidden sin had violated the ban placed on the city and brought guilt upon the whole camp.

Jos 6:18 But keep away from the things devoted to destruction,…
Deu 7:26 And you must not bring any detestable thing into your house,…
Deu 13:17 Nothing devoted to destruction shall cling to your hands,…

You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove them.

Israel’s military strength could not overcome God’s displeasure. Until the forbidden items and the sin connected with them were removed, the Lord would not give His people victory.

Jdg 2:14 Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel,…
Deu 28:25 The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies.…
Lev 26:17 Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of Israel after Moses, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is responsible for addressing the sin in the camp.

2. Israelites
The people of God, who are called to consecrate themselves and remove the devoted things from among them to regain God's favor.

3. Achan
Though not mentioned directly in this verse, he is the individual responsible for taking the devoted things, which leads to Israel's defeat at Ai.

4. Ai
The city where the Israelites faced defeat due to the sin in their camp, highlighting the need for holiness and obedience.

5. Devoted Things
Items that were supposed to be destroyed or dedicated to God, but were instead taken by Achan, causing God's anger to burn against Israel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Holiness
God calls His people to be holy and set apart. Just as Israel needed to consecrate themselves, Christians are called to live lives of holiness, removing anything that hinders their relationship with God.

The Consequences of Sin
Sin has communal consequences. Achan's sin affected the entire nation of Israel, reminding us that our actions can impact others in the body of Christ.

Obedience to God
Obedience is crucial in our walk with God. The Israelites' inability to stand against their enemies was directly linked to their disobedience. We must strive to obey God's commands fully.

Self-Examination
Just as the Israelites were called to examine themselves and remove the devoted things, we are called to examine our lives and remove anything that separates us from God.

God's Faithfulness
Despite Israel's failure, God provides a way for restoration. This demonstrates His faithfulness and mercy, encouraging us to seek His forgiveness and guidance.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Joshua 7:13?

2. How does Joshua 7:13 emphasize the need for holiness among God's people?

3. What actions are required to "consecrate yourselves" according to Joshua 7:13?

4. How does Joshua 7:13 connect to the concept of sin affecting the community?

5. In what ways can we "remove the devoted things" from our lives today?

6. How can Joshua 7:13 inspire accountability within our church community?

7. What does Joshua 7:13 reveal about God's expectations for holiness among His people?

8. How does Joshua 7:13 address the consequences of hidden sin within a community?

9. What historical context is essential to understanding Joshua 7:13?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 7?


Verse 13. - Sanctify the people. See note on Joshua 3:5. Thou canst not stand before thine enemies. Observe the singular number here, intensifying the testimony of the whole history to the fact that Israel was one body before the Lord. And observe, moreover, how the existence of secret sin, even though unknown to and undetected by him in whom it lurks, has power to enfeeble the soul in its conflict with its enemies. Hence we learn the duties Of watchfulness and careful examination of the soul by the light of God's Word.

Joshua 7:13 teaches that God’s people must confront and eliminate hidden sin before they can experience His power. Leadership rises, the community consecrates itself, God’s authoritative word exposes the offense, the banned items are removed, and only then can Israel stand firm. Holiness and victory are inseparable; obedience opens the door to God’s promised triumph.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Get up
קֻ֚ם (qum)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

and consecrate
קַדֵּ֣שׁ (qad·dêš)
Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

the people,
הָעָ֔ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

saying,
וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ (wə·’ā·mar·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Consecrate yourselves
הִתְקַדְּשׁ֣וּ (hiṯ·qad·də·šū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 6942: To be set apart or consecrated

for tomorrow,
לְמָחָ֑ר (lə·mā·ḥār)
Preposition-l | Adverb
Strong's 4279: Deferred, the morrow, tomorrow, hereafter

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

this is what
כֹה֩ (ḵōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD,
יְהוָ֜ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

the God
אֱלֹהֵ֣י (’ĕ·lō·hê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

says:
אָמַ֨ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

That which is devoted
חֵ֤רֶם (ḥê·rem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2764: A net, a doomed object, extermination

is among you,
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֙ (bə·qir·bə·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

O Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

You cannot
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

stand
לָקוּם֙ (lā·qūm)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

against
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

your enemies
אֹיְבֶ֔יךָ (’ō·yə·ḇe·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary

until
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

you remove
הֲסִירְכֶ֥ם (hă·sî·rə·ḵem)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 5493: To turn aside

[it].
הַחֵ֖רֶם (ha·ḥê·rem)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2764: A net, a doomed object, extermination


Additonal Resources
Joshua 7:13 Blue Letter Bible
Joshua 7:13 Bible Gateway
Joshua 7:13 Bible.com

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Joshua 7:13 KJV

Joshua 7:13 Study Bible
Joshua 7:13 Biblia Paralela
Joshua 7:13 Chinese Bible
Joshua 7:13 French Bible
Joshua 7:13 Catholic Bible

OT History: Joshua 7:13 Get up! (Josh. Jos)

Joshua 7:12
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