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 things. Therefore Yahweh's anger burned against the children of Israel.
The setting
Secret tent in Israel's camp near Jericho, ~1400 BC. Achan buries stolen gold and garments while his family sleeps, not knowing this will destroy them all.
The emotion here: grief and foreboding at recording this tragic turn
The original word
ma'al (מַעַל) — treachery, unfaithfulness, breaking covenant trust
Why it matters
The 'devoted things' were items reserved for God's treasury or complete destruction — taking them was stealing from God Himself
Read with care
What most readers miss in Joshua 7:1
This verse reveals Achan's full genealogy because his sin didn't just affect him — it brought judgment on his entire family line
Common misconceptionPeople focus on Achan being greedy, but the real issue was covenant breaking — he violated Israel's sacred agreement with God, putting the whole nation at risk.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Joshua 7:1
Bible Genome reading
Joshua 7:1 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Joshua 7:1 comes from the book of Joshua, written during the conquest period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is urgent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include disobedience, sin, consequences. Notable phrases: committed a trespass; devoted things.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same angry
“Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears. Let the weak say, 'I am strong.'”
— Joel 3:10
“You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!”
— Matthew 23:24
“Listen to this word, you cows of Bashan, who are on the mountain of Samaria, who oppress the poor, who crush the needy, who tell their husba…”
— Amos 4:1
“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I can't stand your solemn assemblies.”
— Amos 5:21
“Your eyes shall not pity; life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.”
— Deuteronomy 19:21
Your reflection
What does Joshua 7:1 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "angry"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.