7:11
In 7:11 there is are six verbs that describe Israel’s sin. In Hebrew, there is a particle that precedes each verb. This particle is sometimes translated “also.” There are two ways to interpret this Hebrew particle.
(1) Some English versions do not translate this particle. They translate the verbs in 7:11 as a simple list. For example:
Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. (New International Version)
(New International Version, Revised Standard Version, English Standard Version, New Century Version, NET Bible, Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, Revised English Bible, Good News Translation)
(2) Some English versions interpret this particle as marking emphasis. For example:
Israel has sinned; they have violated the covenant which I imposed on them. They have gone so far as to take what was under the curse of destruction, they have even stolen it; they have actually hidden it; they have put it in their baggage. (New Jerusalem Bible)
(Berean Standard Bible, New Jerusalem Bible, God’s Word, New American Standard Bible, New Living Translation (2004))
It is not clear which interpretation is best. Option (1) is a good option to follow along with the majority of English versions. However, if you wish to give an emphatic sense to the verbs as in option (2) this is also acceptable.
7:11a
Israel has sinned: A man named Achan took some of the things that were dedicated to Yahweh. Yahweh considered all the people of Israel to be guilty.
sinned: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as sinned has the sense of “missing the right way” and “incurring guilt.” It is a general term for sin.
7:11b
they have transgressed My covenant: This means that the Israelites did not obey God’s commands.
Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:
broken my covenant (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
they have broken the agreement with me that I ordered them to keep (Good News Translation)
My covenant: Joshua told the Israelite people that everything in the town of Jericho must be destroyed. No Israelite must take anything from the town. Joshua’s commands followed the laws that God gave in Deuteronomy 20:10-20 about warfare. These laws were part of God’s covenant, or agreement, with the Israelites.
that I commanded them: God spoke through Joshua in verses 6:17-18 to remind the people of the laws about warfare which he gave them while Moses was still alive. Verse 7:11d explains which commands the people did not keep.
7:11c
and they have taken some of what was devoted to destruction: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as devoted to destruction refers to the things which Yahweh commanded the Israelites to dedicate to him. You should translate it the same way you did in 7:1.
7:11d
Indeed, they have stolen and lied: Although only the man named Achan has stolen anything, God regards all the people of Israel as guilty.
stolen: When Achan took some of the things which God told the people of Israel to destroy, he stole them from God.
7:11e
and they have put these things with their own possessions: Achan hid the things he stole from God with his own personal belongings.
possessions: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as possessions is a general word, used for equipment, baggage, or belongings. You should choose a general, nonspecific word to translate possessions.
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