Joshua 7:20 web — Achan answered Joshua, and said, "I have truly sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done.

World English Bible

"Achan answered Joshua, and said, "I have truly sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done."

— Joshua 7:20, World English Bible

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Joshua 7:20 in Other Translations

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Joshua 7 — Context

17

He brought near the family of Judah; and he selected the family of the Zerahites. He brought near the family of the Zerahites man by man, and Zabdi was selected.

18

He brought near 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 selected.

19

Joshua said to Achan, "My son, please give glory to Yahweh, the God of Israel, and make confession to him. Tell me now what you have done! Don't hide it from me!"

20

Achan answered Joshua, and said, "I have truly sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done.

21

When I saw among the spoil 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."

22

So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent. Behold, it was hidden in his tent, with the silver under it.

23

They took them from the middle of the tent, and brought them to Joshua and to all the children of Israel. They laid them down before Yahweh.

Joshua 7:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Joshua 7:20 say?
Joshua 7:20 in the World English Bible reads: “Achan answered Joshua, and said, "I have truly sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done.”
Where is Joshua 7:20 in the Bible?
Joshua 7:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Joshua, chapter 7, verse 20.
Who wrote Joshua?
Joshua is traditionally attributed to Joshua (traditional). Traditionally written by Joshua with later additions noting his death and burial. It was written c. 1405–1380 BC.
What is the book of Joshua about?
Joshua is the account of Israel's entry into Canaan under Moses' successor — the crossing of the Jordan, the fall of Jericho, the conquest of the land, and its division among the twelve tribes. It is a record of God's faithfulness to his covenant promise to Abraham.
What are the major themes of Joshua?
Joshua explores themes including Conquest, Faithfulness, Inheritance, Courage, Holy War. These themes shape the meaning and context of Joshua 7:20.
What translation should I read Joshua 7:20 in?
Joshua 7:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Joshua 7:20?
Joshua 7:20 reads (WEB): “Achan answered Joshua, and said, "I have truly sinned against Yahweh, the God of Israel, and this is what I have done.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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