Achan
maleConquestMeaning: “Trouble; troubler”
The man whose secret theft of devoted spoil from Jericho brought defeat at Ai and judgment on himself and his household.
Biography
Achan, of the tribe of Judah, is a sobering case of hidden sin and its consequences for the whole community. After the fall of Jericho — whose spoil was wholly devoted to the LORD — Achan secretly took "a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold," and hid them in his tent (Joshua 7:21).
Defeat at Ai
Because of this hidden sin, Israel was routed at the small city of Ai, and Joshua tore his clothes in dismay. God revealed that "Israel hath sinned" and that the army could not stand until the devoted thing was removed (Joshua 7:11–13).
Exposed and judged
By lot Achan was singled out, confessed, and the stolen goods were found. He and his household were put to death in the Valley of Achor — "Why hast thou troubled us? the LORD shall trouble thee this day" (Joshua 7:25). His account is a stark Old Testament lesson on the corporate cost of sin and the holiness God requires.
Life Timeline
Secretly takes devoted spoil from Jericho
Exposed by lot and judged in the Valley of Achor
On the Bible timeline
Achan belongs to the The Exodus & Wilderness era (c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)).
- c. 1446 BC (early) / 1260 BC (late)The Exodus from Egypt
- c. 1446 BCThe Law Given at Sinai
- c. 1406 BCThe Conquest of Canaan
Themes & lessons from Achan
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Achan appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
7 verses in 2 booksJoshua6 verses
Joshua 7:1
But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against the children of Israel.
Joshua 7:18
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 of Judah, was taken.
Joshua 7:19
And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide it not from me.
Joshua 7:20
And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the LORD God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done:
Joshua 7:24
And Joshua, and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, and the silver, and the garment, and the wedge of gold, and his sons, and his daughters, and his oxen, and his asses, and his sheep, and his tent, and all that he had: and they brought them unto the valley of Achor.
Joshua 22:20
Did not Achan the son of Zerah commit a trespass in the accursed thing, and wrath fell on all the congregation of Israel? and that man perished not alone in his iniquity.
1 Chronicles1 verse
1 Chronicles 2:7
And the sons of Carmi; Achar, the troubler of Israel, who transgressed in the thing accursed. Achar: or, Achan
Frequently asked about Achan
Who was Achan in the Bible?
The man whose secret theft of devoted spoil from Jericho brought defeat at Ai and judgment on himself and his household.
What does the name Achan mean?
The name Achan means “Trouble; troubler”.
Where does Achan appear in the Bible?
Achan is mentioned 7 times across 2 books: Joshua, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Achan?
The story of Achan touches on themes of nation, discipline, armies of israel, the, self-crimination — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Achan's life.
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