Achan

An Israelite who disobeyed God and caused the Israelites to lose a battle. At the battle of Jericho, God commanded the warriors to avoid taking anything for themselves. Everything made of metal (gold, silver, bronze, iron) was to be given to God; everything else was to be destroyed. But Achan took clothing, gold, and silver and buried it beneath his tent. Because of Achan’s disobedience, God let the Israelites be defeated in the battle for the city of Ai. God also showed Joshua how to identify the guilty person. Achan finally confessed. Achan and his family were put to death for Achan’s crime.