Definition: And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 7:19. It’s a really important and dramatic moment in the story of the Israelites’ rebellion against God. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Story: The Rebellion: Achan, a leader of the Philistines (the people living north of Israel), had stolen some valuable items – weapons, jewelry, and even a cow – from the Israelites. Joshua’s Command: Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, tells Achan to come before him. He wants to know what he has done with those stolen items. Achan's Response: Achan, instead of confessing or hiding anything, claims he didn’t do anything wrong and refuses to reveal his actions. He says he will not hide anything from Joshua. What the Verse Means – It’s About a Shift in Focus: The verse is essentially saying: “Joshua, I’m looking for the truth. You need to tell me what you have done with these stolen items.” Here's a breakdown of the key ideas: "My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel..." : This part emphasizes that Joshua isn’t just interested in what Achan did, but about how he did it. It’s a plea for acknowledgement and a moment of repentance. "...and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done." : Joshua is asking Achan to confess his sins and reveal the truth. He wants to know if there's any wrongdoing. "Hide [it] not from me." : This is a crucial part. It’s a powerful command – Achan must not hide anything. The word "hide" means to conceal, to keep secret. Joshua isn't just asking for information; he wants to know if Achan is being dishonest or deceptive. The Significance: This verse is significant because it shows that Joshua wasn’t simply angry at Achan. He was confronting him with the possibility of deceit and a need for honesty. It sets the stage for a dramatic turning point in the story, where God's justice will be revealed. In short, this verse is about accountability, truth-telling, and the importance of confessing to God. --- Would you like me to: Explain another part of Joshua 7? Discuss the context of this passage in more detail?