Achan
Also in Русский · Українська
In 1895 Achan's sin illustrated spiritual Israelites selfishly appropriating what had been consecrated to the Lord. In 1902 the application was broadened to the Millennial world: Achan's destruction symbolized the Second Death of those who outwardly conform while secretly retaining or loving evil. In 1913 this was refined especially to consecrated Christians who take back what they have devoted to God. In 1927 Achan's stoning was used contextually as corresponding to the swift judgment on Ananias and Sapphira. In 1939 the prophetic-drama interpretation narrowed Achan to a modern class of persons who had served within God's organization but became wicked and selfish, explicitly identified with the “evil servant” class; this modern Achan course was repeated in 1940 and the organizational-cleansing application in 1941. In 1942 Achan was used contextually for persons coveting the gain of the doomed enemy organization, while in 1945 the organizational-cleansing application was repeated. No later verified type/antitype identification was found in the Knorr years after 1945 through 1976, and none was found in the Franz years 1977–1980; later references chiefly use Achan as a historical, moral, or disciplinary example.
- Josh. 6:17-19
- Josh. 7:1-26
Key moments
- 1895 Introduced Achan's appropriation of the devoted spoil illustrated spiritual Israelites selfishly using for themselves possessions that were to be regarded as belonging to the Lord.
- 1902 Broadened The application was broadened from the present Royal Priesthood to the Millennial world. Achan's destruction represented the Second Death of persons who outwardly conform to God's requirements while secretly retaining or loving evil.
- 1913 Refined Achan was applied more precisely to consecrated Christians who keep back for themselves something that they had devoted to God.
- 1939 Narrowed In the modern fulfillment of the Joshua prophetic drama, Achan was narrowed to the “evil servant” class within God's organization—persons who had shared in the work but became selfish, opposed the organization, and tried to conceal or justify their wrongdoing.
Russell
Charles Taze Russell · 1877–1916
-
Achan's appropriation of the devoted spoil illustrated spiritual Israelites selfishly using for themselves possessions that were to be regarded as belonging to the Lord.
1 quote
All must now be considered as belonging to the Lord: and any appropriation of these to their own selfish uses brings a curse as was illustrated by the sin of Achan, who appropriated of the spoils of Jericho, some gold and silver and a fine Babylonish garment.
The Watchtower, August 15, 1895 -
The application was broadened from the present Royal Priesthood to the Millennial world. Achan's destruction represented the Second Death of persons who outwardly conform to God's requirements while secretly retaining or loving evil.
2 quotes
The lesson to the royal priesthood now, as well as to the world in the Millennial age, is that the Lord requires not merely an outward conformity to his Word, but a heart loyalty to him, which will enter fully into sympathy with righteousness and into hatred of iniquity--otherwise the penalty will be the Second Death, as symbolized in the destruction of Achan.
The Watchtower, October 1, 1902 Achan's course also represented the rule of the Millennial age, when all who even secretly love evil will be made manifest and will be destroyed from amongst the people.
The Watchtower, October 15, 1902 -
Achan was applied more precisely to consecrated Christians who keep back for themselves something that they had devoted to God.
1 quote
If they are keeping back as their own any portion of that which was devoted to the Lord, they are in danger of being part of the antitypical Achan.
The Watchtower, November 15, 1913
Rutherford
Joseph F. Rutherford · 1917–1942
-
In a discussion of Ananias and Sapphira, Achan's stoning was used contextually as a corresponding earlier instance of swift divine judgment at the beginning of a new phase of God's people's activity.
1 quote
This swift action corresponds with the destruction of the spies at the beginning of Israel's wanderings, and with the stoning of Achan at the beginning of Israel's warfare.
The Watchtower, April 1, 1927 -
In the modern fulfillment of the Joshua prophetic drama, Achan was narrowed to the “evil servant” class within God's organization—persons who had shared in the work but became selfish, opposed the organization, and tried to conceal or justify their wrongdoing.
1 quote
The “evil servant” class, pictured by Achan, tried to hide the evidence of their sin against God and against his organization, and tried to justify themselves by sending out letters to certain persons who were thought to be sympathetic with the wrongdoer in his unrighteous course.
The Watchtower, April 15, 1939 -
The modern Achan application was repeated: some who had participated in the modern Jericho campaign later yielded to selfish desire and became ensnared by Satan.
1 quote
Particularly from and after 1933 some have taken a course like Achan’s by marching around the modern Jericho of Satan’s organization and declaring God’s judgments written against her; but after doing so for a season such servants yield to temptation and to satisfy a selfish desire they take a wrongful course and are ensnared by Satan.
1940 Yearbook of Jehovah’s Witnesses -
Achan's removal was used as the pattern for the continuing purging of unfaithful and harmful persons from the visible Theocratic organization.
1 quote
The fiery trials that come upon Jehovah’s people have the effect of purging and cleansing the visible part of Jehovah’s Theocratic organization and those who are associated with it, even as Achan was cleared out to remove the wicked leaven of poison from the typical Theocratic organization.
The Watchtower, November 1, 1941
Knorr
Nathan H. Knorr · 1942–1977
-
In an Armageddon setting, Achan was used contextually as a warning against coveting or taking for personal glory and selfish gratification any gain associated with the doomed enemy organization.
1 quote
Like the plunder of the accursed city of Jericho, it may not be seized upon for personal glory and selfish gratification. Those like Achan coveting any of it are condemned and destroyed. (Josh. 6:18,19; 7:10-26) The battle of Armageddon is not for self-gain or self-glory of creatures, but is consecrated to the glory of Jehovah, “the Lord of the whole earth.”
The Watchtower, April 15, 1942 -
The organizational-cleansing application was repeated: Achan's removal from typical Israel corresponded to the purging of fallen or unfaithful persons from Jehovah's visible Theocratic organization.
1 quote
The fiery trials that come as chastenings upon Jehovah’s people have the effect of purging and cleansing the visible part of Jehovah’s Theocratic organization and those of good-will who are associated with it, even as Achan was cleared out from Israel’s typical Theocratic organization to remove the wicked leaven of poison therefrom.
The Watchtower, November 15, 1945
Franz
Frederick W. Franz · 1977–1992
No statement filed for this period.
Governing Body
1992–
-
Achan’s conduct was presented as a warning about how looking at prohibited things can lead to greed, theft, and serious consequences for others. The practical application did not introduce a new prophetic antitype or expressly cancel the older organizational-cleansing comparison.
1 quote
Greed may start small, but if it is not curbed, it can grow rapidly and overcome a person. The Bible account of Achan illustrates the power of greed.
The Watchtower, August 15, 2014, pp. 21–25, Hear Jehovah’s Voice Wherever You Are
Thank you!
Your suggestion has been sent. New topics are added as they are researched.