עָכָן
Akan, an Israelite
Definition
עָכָן (Achan) is the name of an Israelite from the tribe of Judah whose sin of taking devoted items from the conquest of Jericho brought severe consequences upon Israel (Joshua 7:1). His actions, described as 'trespassing' against the Lord's command, led to Israel's defeat at Ai and the execution of Achan and his family (Joshua 7:24-26). The narrative presents him as a pivotal figure whose individual disobedience impacted the entire covenant community, illustrating the principle of corporate responsibility.
Biblical Usage
The name appears exclusively in the book of Joshua, specifically in the narrative of the sin at Jericho and its aftermath (Joshua 7:1, 7:18-20, 7:24). It is used six times, always referring to this individual. In Joshua 22:20, he is cited as a past example of someone whose sin brought 'wrath' upon the whole congregation of Israel, serving as a warning to the Transjordan tribes.
Etymology
The name derives from an unused Hebrew root meaning 'to trouble' or 'to disturb,' fittingly describing his role in bringing trouble upon Israel. It is linguistically connected to the noun עָכָר (ʿākār, H5917), meaning 'trouble' or 'disaster,' which is used as a wordplay in Joshua 7:25 ('Why have you troubled us? The LORD will trouble you this day.').
Semantic Range
Achan's story is theologically significant for demonstrating the holiness of God and the seriousness of covenant obedience. It highlights the concept of corporate sin and its consequences for the community of faith (Joshua 7:11-12). His narrative serves as a sobering lesson on the danger of covetousness and secret sin, which ultimately cannot be hidden from God, and underscores the need for purity within God's people.
In the ancient Near Eastern context of holy war (ḥērem), taking devoted items was not merely theft but a direct sacrilege against the divine warrior, Yahweh. The severe punishment of Achan and his entire household reflects the cultural understanding of the family unit as a single legal and moral entity, where the head's actions implicated all under his authority.
עָכָר (ʿĀkār, H5917) — The noun 'trouble' or 'disaster,' from the same root, used as a thematic wordplay on Achan's name and actions in Joshua 7:25.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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