Year not stated · Conquest and Judges

Defeat at Ai; Achan's sin; victory restored

Israel fell before little Ai because Achan had secretly kept plunder from Jericho that God had devoted to destruction (Joshua 7:11-12, 20-21); when his sin was judged, the LORD gave the city into Israel's hand (Joshua 8:1). Holiness and victory rose and fell together.

📖 Joshua 7:1

1The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.

© 2026 Jeffrey A. Jameson, BibleTimescape (bibletimescape.com). Map geometry: Natural Earth, public domain. Place coordinates: OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding Data, CC BY 4.0. AiBethelJerichoValley of AchorArabahBeth-avenJordan
Map: Natural Earth (public domain) · Places: OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Sources: Scripture — Joshua 7:1-8:29
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