Paragraph 7:20–21

Achan confessed his sin.

7:20a

The Hebrew conjugation that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but the some English versions translate as “and” introduces the next event in the storyline. Introduce this next event in a way that is most natural in your language.

It is true: The Hebrew phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as It is true can also be translated:

truly (English Standard Version)

Achan replied: Achan replied to Joshua’s warning.

7:20b

I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel: Achan acknowledged that he had sinned. This sin was against Yahweh, the God of Israel.

7:20c

This is what I did: The Hebrew clause that the Berean Standard Bible translates as This is what I did is literally “and like this, and like this.” This is a Hebrew idiom. It indicates that what follows is his confession. Some English versions do not translate this clause. Translate it in a way that is natural in your language.

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