Lexical Definition

‎עָכָן‎ ʻÂkân (aw-kawn') Achan N:N-M-P
from an unused root meaning to trouble; troublesome

Achan. Compare ‎עָכָר‎.

1) a Judaite who violated God's specific ban on taking any loot from the captured city of Jericho and was stoned to death along with his family for this violation

Usage: 6 forms in 12 verses
Form Translated As     In Verse(s)
עָכָ֣ן Achan Josh.7.1Josh.7.24Josh.22.20
עָכָ֞ן Achan Josh.7.18
עָכָ֛ן Achan Josh.7.20
עָכָ֗ן Achan Josh.7.19
Άχαρ Achan LXX.Josh.7.18LXX.Josh.7.24LXX.Josh.22.20
Achan answered LXX.Josh.7.20
to Achan LXX.Josh.7.19
Άχαν Achan took LXX.Josh.7.1

Extended Information

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎עָכָן‎ proper name, masculine man of Judah; — Josh 7:1 (P), vJosh 7:18 vJosh 7:19 vJosh 7:20 vJosh 7:24 (JE), Josh 22:20 (P); = ‎עָכָר‎ 1Chr 2:7 (from ‎עָכוֺר‎ Josh 7:26, see also ‎עָכָר‎); Αχαρ, Αχαν.

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Book Refs
Joshua 7:1 · 7:18 · 7:19 · 7:20 · 7:24 · 7:26 · 22:20
1 Chronicles 2:7

Profile

Male • Son of Carmi • An Israelite who stole devoted things, causing Israel's defeat.

Man living before Israel's Monarchy

Achan took devoted things, leading to Israel's defeat at Ai.

Achan was an Israelite from the tribe of Judah who violated God's command by taking devoted things from the conquered city of Jericho (Jos. 7:1). His sin caused Israel's defeat in the battle against Ai. When Joshua sought the Lord's guidance, God revealed that someone had stolen from the devoted things (Jos. 7:10-15).

Through a process of elimination, Achan was identified as the culprit (Jos. 7:16-18). He confessed to taking a beautiful cloak from Shinar, silver, and gold, hiding them in his tent (Jos. 7:19-21). As a result, Achan and his family were stoned to death, and their remains were burned (Jos. 7:24-25). The place where this occurred was named the Valley of Achor, meaning "trouble" (Jos. 7:26). Achan's sin and its consequences were remembered as a warning against unfaithfulness to God (Jos. 22:20).

All entries for Achan: עָכָןעָכָר