Joshua 7

“But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi…” Naming Israel and Achan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them…” Naming Beth and Jericho keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto…” The number thirty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and…” Naming Israel and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD , wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There…” Naming Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“In the morning therefore ye shall be brought according to your tribes: and it shall be, that the tribe which the LORD…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And it shall be, that he that is taken with the accursed thing shall be burnt with fire, he and all that he hath…” The promise, blessing, or covenant language needs its named recipient and scope. Those details prevent a personal word in the story from becoming a promise detached from context.

“So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites…” Naming Zarhites and Judah keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he brought his household man by man; and Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe…” Naming Achan and Carmi keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him…” Naming Achan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I…” Naming Achan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent; and, behold, it was hid in his tent, and the silver under it.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And they took them out of the midst of the tent, and brought them unto Joshua, and unto all the children of Israel…” Naming Israel and Joshua keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of…” Naming Achan and Achor keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And Joshua said, Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day. And all Israel stoned him with…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger…” Naming Achor and Wherefore keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.