7:24a
Then: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then indicates the next event in the storyline.
Joshua, together with all Israel, took Achan son of Zerah: The Israelite people, with Joshua as their leader, took Achan away to the place where he will be punished.
Achan son of Zerah: The phrase son of Zerah recalls the genealogy of Achan in 7:1. It emphasizes that the correct person will be punished. Some English versions leave out this phrase. Consider whether this phrase is natural in your language or not.
7:24b
the silver, the cloak, the bar of gold: These things were mentioned in 7:21. You should translate them the same way as you did there. If the repetition of the list is unnatural in your language, you can translate it as Contemporary English Version has done:
the things he had stolen (Contemporary English Version)
7:24c
his sons and daughters: The author specifies sons and daughters to indicate that Achan will have no descendants. It may be more natural in some languages to begin a new sentence here.
his oxen and donkeys and sheep: oxen, donkeys and sheep were domestic animals. Listing the animals separately in Hebrew emphasizes that Achan did a serious thing. It may be more natural in some languages to use an inclusive term such as:
all his domestic animals
sheep: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sheep refers to both goats and sheep. These are animals that they herded in flocks.
7:24d
his tent, and everything else he owned: Everything else that Achan possessed was also brought with him to the Valley of Achor.
7:24e
and: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as and introduces the next event in the storyline.
brought them: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as brought indicates that the Valley of Achor was on higher ground than the place where the Israelites camped. The Israelites went uphill to reach it. In some languages it is natural to use the phrase “brought up” to indicate this. Many English versions translate this phrase as:
took them
them: The word them here refers to all Achan’s family as possessions that were mentioned earlier in the verse. In some languages it may be clearer to make this explicit.
to the Valley of Achor: We are not sure where the Valley of Achor was. Many scholars believe that it was a wilderness area eight miles north of Jericho. This means that Joshua took Achan far away from the Israelite camp.
Valley of Achor: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Achor means “trouble.” There are two ways to translate the phrase Valley of Achor.
(1) Translate it as “Valley of Trouble” or “Trouble Valley.” For example:
Valley of Disaster (NET Bible)
(NET Bible, Contemporary English Version, New Century Version, Good News Translation)
(2) Translate it as “Valley of Achor.” For example:
Valley of Achor (New International Version)
(Berean Standard Bible, New International Version, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New American Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, New Living Translation (2004), Revised English Bible)
It is recommended that you follow option (1) and translate with a word meaning “trouble” or “disaster.” This will help readers to understand Joshua’s rhetorical question in 7:25.
If you choose option (2) it is recommended that you include a footnote explaining the meaning of Achor. For example:
FOOTNOTE: The name Achor means “trouble”
General Comment on 7:24
It is possible to break up this long Hebrew sentence into two or more shorter sentences. Some English versions also reorder the parts of this verse. For example:
24a Then Joshua and all the people led Achan son of Zerah 24e to the Valley of Trouble. 24b They also took the silver, the coat, the gold, 24c Achan’s sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, 24d tent, and everything he owned. (New Century Version)
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