Book of Joshua - Chapter 7 - Verse 26

After Achan's sin of taking items devoted to God, the Israelites were defeated in battle at Ai. Once Achan was identified as the culprit and dealt with according to God's command, the people of Israel took Achan, his children, livestock, and possessions to the Valley of Achor. There, they stoned them and raised a heap of stones over Achan's burial site as a memorial to the consequences of disobedience. The name "The Valley of Achor" means "Trouble" or "Disturbance," symbolizing the trouble Achan's sin had caused and serving as a reminder of the importance of following God's commands. The verse signifies that God's anger was appeased once justice was served, and the Israelites were able to move forward from the sin that had plagued them. The Valley of Achor became a symbol of the consequences of disobedience but also of the possibility of redemption through repentance and obedience to God's will.

In this verse, the Israelites raised a heap of stones over Achan, symbolizing the gravity of his sin and the consequences of his actions. The name given to the place, The valley of Achor, means "trouble" or "troubled valley," reflecting both the sin committed and the punishment received. The theological interpretation of this event highlights the importance of obedience and the severity of disobedience in the eyes of the Lord. Achan's sin not only brought trouble upon himself but also affected the entire community, leading to God's anger and judgment. However, through the act of punishment and the raising of the heap of stones, the Lord showed mercy and turned away from his anger, allowing the Israelites to move forward and learn from this experience. The word study of "Achor" reveals the significance of the name and its connection to the events that transpired in that place, emphasizing the consequences of sin and the need for repentance and forgiveness.