Joshua 7:21
New International Version
When I saw in the plunder a beautiful robe from Babylonia, 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.”

New Living Translation
Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest.”

English Standard Version
when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

Berean Literal Bible
And I saw among the spoils one beautiful cloak of Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver, and one wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, and I coveted them and took them, and there they are hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver is under it.”

King James Bible
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

New King James Version
When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.”

New American Standard Bible
when I saw among the spoils a beautiful robe from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I wanted them and took them; and behold, they are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

NASB 1995
when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it.”

NASB 1977
when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it.”

Legacy Standard Bible
I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight; then I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it.”

Amplified Bible
when I saw among the spoils [in Jericho] a beautiful robe from Shinar (southern Babylon) and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I wanted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

Berean Annotated Bible
When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar (Babylonia), two hundred shekels of silver <5 lb / 2.3 kg>, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels <1.26 lb / 569.8 g>, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.

Christian Standard Bible
When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Babylon, five pounds of silver, and a bar of gold weighing a pound and a quarter, I coveted them and took them. You can see for yourself. They are concealed in the ground inside my tent, with the silver under the cloak.”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Babylon, 200 silver shekels, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, I coveted them and took them. You can see for yourself. They are concealed in the ground inside my tent, with the money under the cloak.”

American Standard Version
when I saw among the spoil a goodly Babylonish mantle, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

English Revised Version
when I saw among the spoil a goodly Babylonish mantle, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, beheld, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I saw a fine robe from Babylonia, five pounds of silver, and a bar of gold weighing about one pound among the loot. I wanted them, so I took them. You will find them buried inside my tent with the silver beneath them."

Good News Translation
Among the things we seized I saw a beautiful Babylonian cloak, about five pounds of silver, and a bar of gold weighing over one pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. You will find them buried inside my tent, with the silver at the bottom."

International Standard Version
I noticed among the war spoils a beautiful mantle from Shinar, 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels. Because I wanted them, I took them, and they're buried in the ground inside my tent. The silver is underneath."

NET Bible
I saw among the goods we seized a nice robe from Babylon, two hundred silver pieces, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels. I wanted them, so I took them. They are hidden in the ground right in the middle of my tent with the silver underneath."

New Heart English Bible
When I saw among the spoil a beautiful garment from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them. Look, they are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, with the silver under it."

Webster's Bible Translation
When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them, and behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
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.”

World English Bible
When I saw among the plunder a beautiful Babylonian robe, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them. Behold, they are hidden in the ground in the middle of my tent, with the silver under it.”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and I see among the spoil a good robe of Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver, and one wedge of gold, whose weight [is] fifty shekels, and I desire them, and take them; and behold, they [are] hid in the earth, in the midst of my tent, and the silver [is] under it.”

Berean Literal Bible
And I saw among the spoils one beautiful cloak of Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver, and one wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, and I coveted them and took them, and there they are hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver is under it.”

Young's Literal Translation
and I see among the spoil a goodly robe of Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver, and one wedge of gold, whose weight is fifty shekels, and I desire them, and take them; and lo, they are hid in the earth, in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.'

Smith's Literal Translation
And I shall see in the plunder a wide cloak of Shinar, a good one, and two hundred shekels of silver and one tongue of gold of fifty shekels from its weight, and I shall desire them, and shall take them, and behold them hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For I saw among the spoils a scarlet garment exceeding good, and two hundred sides of silver, and a golden rule of fifty sides: and I coveted them, and I took them away, and hid them in the ground is the midst of my tent, and the silver I covered with the earth that I dug up.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For I saw among the spoils a very fine scarlet cloak, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a gold bar of fifty shekels. And coveting these, I took and hid them in the ground near the middle of my tent, and I covered the silver with the soil that I had dug.”

New American Bible
Among the spoils, I saw a beautiful Babylonian mantle, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight; I coveted them and I took them. They are now hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

New Revised Standard Version
when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them. They now lie hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian tapestry and two hundred shekels of silver and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, then I coveted them and took them; and, behold, they are hidden in the earth inside of my tent, and the silver under it.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
I saw in the spoil, one Babylonian tapestry, and it was beautiful, and two hundred shekels of silver and one wedge of gold that weighed fifty shekels, and I lusted for them and I took them, and behold, they are buried for me in the ground in my tent, and the silver from beneath them
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When I saw among the spoil a goodly Shinar mantle, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.'

Brenton Septuagint Translation
I saw in the spoil an embroidered mantle, and two hundred didrachms of silver, and one golden wedge of fifty didrachms, and I desired them and took them; and, behold, they are hid in my tent, and the silver is hid under them.

Additional Translations ...



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
When I saw among the spoils

Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.

2 Samuel 11:2
One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around on the roof of the palace. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing—a very beautiful woman.

1 Samuel 15:19-21
So why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you rush upon the plunder and do evil in the sight of the LORD?” / “But I did obey the LORD,” Saul replied. “I went on the mission that the LORD gave me. I brought back Agag king of Amalek and devoted the Amalekites to destruction. / The troops took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of the things devoted to destruction, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal.”
a beautiful cloak from Shinar,

Zechariah 5:11
“To build a house for it in the land of Shinar,” he told me. “And when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its pedestal.”

Genesis 11:2-4
And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. / And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar. / “Come,” they said, “let us build for ourselves a city with a tower that reaches to the heavens, that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of all the earth.”

Revelation 18:12-16
cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls; of fine linen, purple, silk, and scarlet; of all kinds of citron wood and every article of ivory, precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; / of cinnamon, spice, incense, myrrh, and frankincense; of wine, olive oil, fine flour, and wheat; of cattle, sheep, horses, and carriages; of bodies and souls of slaves. / And they will say: “The fruit of your soul’s desire has departed from you; all your luxury and splendor have vanished, never to be seen again.” …
two hundred shekels of silver,

Exodus 12:35-36
Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold, and for clothing. / And the LORD gave the people such favor in the sight of the Egyptians that they granted their request. In this way they plundered the Egyptians.

Deuteronomy 7:25-26
You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet the silver and gold that is on them or take it for yourselves, or you will be ensnared by it; for it is detestable to the LORD your God. / 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.

2 Kings 5:22-23
“Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied. “My master has sent me to say, ‘Look, two young men from the sons of the prophets have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.’” / But Naaman insisted, “Please, take two talents.” And he urged Gehazi to accept them. Then he tied up two talents of silver in two bags along with two sets of clothing and gave them to two of his servants, who carried them ahead of Gehazi.
and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels,

2 Samuel 12:30
Then he took the crown from the head of their king. It weighed a talent of gold and was set with precious stones, and it was placed on David’s head. And David took a great amount of plunder from the city.

Exodus 32:2-4
So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me.” / Then all the people took off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. / He took the gold from their hands, and with an engraving tool he fashioned it into a molten calf. And they said, “These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”

Daniel 5:2-4
Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. / Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. / As they drank the wine, they praised their gods of gold and silver, bronze and iron, wood and stone.
I coveted them and took them.

Exodus 20:17
You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

Deuteronomy 5:21
You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

1 Kings 21:1-4
Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite owned a vineyard in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. / So Ahab said to Naboth, “Give me your vineyard to use as a vegetable garden, since it is next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place—or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.” / But Naboth replied, “The LORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers.” …
They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

Genesis 31:33-35
So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent, and then the tents of the two maidservants, but he found nothing. Then he left Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. / Now Rachel had taken Laban’s household idols, put them in the saddlebag of her camel, and was sitting on them. And Laban searched everything in the tent but found nothing. / Rachel said to her father, “Sir, do not be angry that I cannot stand up before you; for I am having my period.” So Laban searched but could not find the household idols.


Treasury of Scripture

When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the middle of my tent, and the silver under it.

I saw

Genesis 3:6
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.

Genesis 6:2
That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose.

2 Samuel 11:2
And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king's house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon.

Genesis 10:10
And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar.

wedge [heb] tongue

Exodus 20:17
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Deuteronomy 7:25
The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it is an abomination to the LORD thy God.

1 Kings 21:1,2
And it came to pass after these things, that Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard, which was in Jezreel, hard by the palace of Ahab king of Samaria…

took them

Proverbs 4:23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

Micah 2:1,2
Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand…

James 1:15
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

they are hid

2 Samuel 11:6-17
And David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. And Joab sent Uriah to David…

2 Kings 5:24,25
And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed…

Isaiah 28:15
Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

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Babylonian Beautiful Coveted Hid Hidden Hundred Mantle Middle Robe Shekels Shinar Silver Spoil Spoils Tent Wedge Weighing Weight
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Babylonian Beautiful Coveted Hid Hidden Hundred Mantle Middle Robe Shekels Shinar Silver Spoil Spoils Tent Wedge Weighing Weight
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












When I saw among the spoils

After Jericho’s fall, Achan found items that had been placed under God’s ban and reserved for His treasury or destruction. Though soldiers normally claimed plunder after battle, Jericho was the firstfruits of Canaan and belonged wholly to the Lord.

Gen 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food…
2Sa 11:2 One evening David got up from his bed and strolled around…
1Sa 15:19-21 So why did you not obey the LORD? Why did you rush…

a beautiful cloak from Shinar,

The costly garment came from the region of Babylon and represented foreign luxury and status. Its beauty stirred Achan’s desire for what God had forbidden.

Zec 5:11 “To build a house for it in the land of Shinar,”…
Gen 11:2-4 And as people journeyed eastward, they found a plain…
Rev 18:12-16 cargo of gold, silver, precious stones, and pearls;…

two hundred shekels of silver,

The silver was a substantial amount and had been designated for the Lord’s treasury.

Exo 12:35-36 Furthermore, the Israelites acted on Moses’ word…
Deu 7:25-26 You must burn up the images of their gods; do not covet…
2Ki 5:22-23 “Everything is all right,” Gehazi replied.…

and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels,

The gold added greatly to the value of the stolen goods and showed that Achan deliberately chose personal gain over obedience.

2Sa 12:30 Then he took the crown from the head of their king.…
Exo 32:2-4 So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold earrings…
Dan 5:2-4 Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders…

I coveted them and took them.

Achan’s sin began in his heart, then led to theft and rebellion against God’s command. His actions brought guilt upon Israel because he took what had been devoted to the Lord.

Exo 20:17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.…
Deu 5:21 You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife……
1Ki 21:1-4 Some time after these events, Naboth the Jezreelite…

They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”

Achan concealed the evidence beneath his tent, but his secret sin could not remain hidden. The buried items confirmed his confession and exposed the cause of Israel’s defeat at Ai.

Gen 31:33-35 So Laban went into Jacob’s tent, then Leah’s tent…
2Ki 5:24-27 When Gehazi came to the hill, he took the gifts…
Num 32:23 But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Achan
A member of the tribe of Judah who disobeyed God's command by taking forbidden items from the spoils of Jericho, leading to Israel's defeat at Ai.

2. Shinar
A region in ancient Mesopotamia, often associated with wealth and idolatry, from where the coveted cloak originated.

3. Jericho
The city whose walls fell after Israel's obedience to God's command, marking a significant victory for Israel.

4. Ai
The city where Israel faced defeat due to Achan's sin, highlighting the consequences of disobedience.

5. Joshua
The leader of Israel who sought to rectify the situation by addressing the sin in the camp.
Teaching Points
The Danger of Covetousness
Coveting leads to sin and separation from God. Achan's desire for material wealth resulted in severe consequences for himself and the community.

The Importance of Obedience
God's commands are given for our protection and blessing. Disobedience, as seen in Achan's account, brings about negative repercussions.

Hidden Sin Affects the Community
Achan's sin was not just a personal failure but impacted the entire nation of Israel, showing that our actions have communal consequences.

Repentance and Restoration
While Achan faced judgment, the account encourages us to seek repentance and restoration with God when we fall short.

The Allure of Worldly Possessions
The cloak from Shinar symbolizes the temptation of worldly allurements that can lead us away from God's will.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Joshua 7:21?

2. How does Joshua 7:21 illustrate the consequences of coveting and disobedience to God?

3. What can we learn from Achan's actions about the dangers of hidden sin?

4. How does this verse connect with the commandment "You shall not covet"?

5. In what ways can we guard our hearts against similar temptations today?

6. How should we respond when we recognize sin in our lives, according to Joshua 7:21?

7. Why did Achan's sin result in severe punishment for all of Israel in Joshua 7:21?

8. How does Joshua 7:21 illustrate the consequences of coveting and disobedience?

9. What does the "beautiful robe from Babylonia" symbolize in Joshua 7:21?

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


(21) A goodly Babylonish garment.--Literally, A certain goodly mantle of Shinar.

I coveted them.--The very word employed, not only in the tenth commandment (Deuteronomy 5:21), but also in Deuteronomy 7:25, the passage which forbids Israel to desire the spoils of idolatry. This coincidence of terms makes it somewhat probable that the whole were found in some idol's temple, and were part of the spoils of the shrine.

Verse 21. - A goodly Babylonish garment. Literally, "a mantle of Shinar, one goodly one." Babylon was in the "land of Shinar" (see Genesis 11:2; Genesis 14:1; Isaiah 11:11; Zechariah 5:11). The אַדרֶת derived from אדר great, glorious, was an ample cloak, sometimes of hair or fur (Genesis 25:25; cf. 1 Kings 19:13, 19; 2 Kings 2:13, 14; Jonah 3:6, etc.). The Babylonish mantle was famed for its beauty (ποικίλη, LXX.), and was, no doubt, worked artistically with figures of men and animals. "Of all Asiatic nations, the Babylonians were the most noted for the weaving of cloth of divers colours. Into these stuffs gold threads were introduced into the woof of many hues. Amongst those who traded in 'blue clothes and embroidered work' with Tyro were the merchants of Asshur, or Assyria; and that the garments of Babylon were brought into Syria and greatly esteemed at a very early period, we learn from their being classed amongst the most precious articles of spoil, even with gold, in the time of Joshua" (Layard, 'Nineveh,' II. 413). From this, among other passages, we may infer the early date of the Book of Joshua. It marks an early stage of civilisation when an embroidered garment can be considered as in any degree equivalent to gold. The Israelites, it must be remembered, were not unaccustomed in Egypt to the highest degree of civilisation then known. "Nam Persarum, finitimarumque gentium luxum eo se ostentare solere vel ex eo constat quod captis ab Alexandro Magno Susis illicinventa fuerit 10 millia pondo, sive talents purpurae Hermionicae, teste Plutarcho in Alexandro" (Corn. a Lapide). A wedge of gold. Literally, "a tongue of gold." Some derive our word ingot from the French lingot, or little tongue. But others derive it with greater probability from the Dutch ingieten the same as the German einqiesen, to pour in. "Si ergo invenias spud philosophos perversa dogmata luculenti sermonis assertionibus decorata, ista eat lingua aurea. Sed vide, nete decipiat fulgor operis, ne te rapiat sermonis aurei pulchritudo: memento, quia Jesus anathema jussit esse omni aurum quod in Jericho fuerit inventum. Si poetam legeris modulatis versibus et praefulgido carmine Deos Deasque texentem, ne delecteris eloquentiae suavitate. Lingua aurea est: si eam sustuleritis, et posueris in tabernaculo tuo: polluis omnem ecclesiam Domini" (Orig., Hom. 7 on Joshua).

Achan’s confession exposes the anatomy of sin: the eyes admire, the heart covets, the hands take, and fear hides. Though the cloak, silver, and gold glittered, they were under God’s ban, meant for His glory, not personal indulgence. Achan’s private disobedience invited national defeat, proving that hidden sin never stays hidden before a holy God. The passage warns believers to guard their eyes, hearts, and actions, obey God’s clear commands, and walk in honest fellowship, lest personal compromise bring communal loss and divine discipline.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When I saw
וָאֵ֣רֶא (wā·’ê·re)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 7200: To see

among the spoils
בַשָּׁלָ֡ל (ḇaš·šā·lāl)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7998: A prey, spoil, plunder, booty

a
אַחַ֨ת (’a·ḥaṯ)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 259: United, one, first

beautiful
טוֹבָ֜ה (ṭō·w·ḇāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2896: Pleasant, agreeable, good

cloak
אַדֶּ֣רֶת (’ad·de·reṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 155: Something ample

from Shinar,
שִׁנְעָר֩ (šin·‘ār)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8152: Shinar -- another name for Babylon

two hundred
וּמָאתַ֧יִם (ū·mā·ṯa·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Number - fd
Strong's 3967: A hundred

shekels
שְׁקָלִ֣ים (šə·qā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8255: A weight, a commercial standard

of silver,
כֶּ֗סֶף (ke·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

and a
אֶחָד֙ (’e·ḥāḏ)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 259: United, one, first

bar
וּלְשׁ֨וֹן (ū·lə·šō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 3956: The tongue

of gold
זָהָ֤ב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

weighing
מִשְׁקָל֔וֹ (miš·qā·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4948: Weight, weighing

fifty
חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים (ḥă·miš·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

shekels,
שְׁקָלִים֙ (šə·qā·lîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8255: A weight, a commercial standard

I coveted
וָֽאֶחְמְדֵ֖ם (wā·’eḥ·mə·ḏêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2530: To desire, take pleasure in

them and took them.
וָֽאֶקָּחֵ֑ם (wā·’eq·qā·ḥêm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3947: To take

They are
וְהִנָּ֨ם (wə·hin·nām)
Conjunctive waw | Interjection | third person masculine plural
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

hidden
טְמוּנִ֥ים (ṭə·mū·nîm)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 2934: To hide, conceal

in the ground
בָּאָ֛רֶץ (bā·’ā·reṣ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

inside
בְּת֥וֹךְ (bə·ṯō·wḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8432: A bisection, the centre

my tent,
הָאָֽהֳלִ֖י (hā·’ā·ho·lî)
Article | Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 168: A tent

with the silver
וְהַכֶּ֥סֶף (wə·hak·ke·sep̄)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

underneath.”
תַּחְתֶּֽיהָ׃ (taḥ·te·hā)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of


Additonal Resources
Joshua 7:21 Blue Letter Bible
Joshua 7:21 Bible Gateway
Joshua 7:21 Bible.com

Joshua 7:21 NIV
Joshua 7:21 NLT
Joshua 7:21 ESV
Joshua 7:21 NASB
Joshua 7:21 KJV

Joshua 7:21 Study Bible
Joshua 7:21 Biblia Paralela
Joshua 7:21 Chinese Bible
Joshua 7:21 French Bible
Joshua 7:21 Catholic Bible

OT History: Joshua 7:21 When I saw among the spoil (Josh. Jos)

Joshua 7:20
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