Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.
Get up and make the people holy, and tell them, 'Make yourselves holy for tomorrow, because this is what the LORD God of Israel says: There is something cursed among you, Israel. You will not be able to stand against your enemies until you remove this cursed thing from among you.'
God is telling Joshua that Israel has something forbidden among them that must be removed before they can have victory again.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs after Israel's shocking defeat at Ai, following their great victory at Jericho. Unknown to most Israelites, Achan had secretly taken forbidden items from Jericho that were supposed to be destroyed or given to God's treasury. God required the people to consecrate themselves (ceremonially prepare) before He would reveal who had disobeyed and bring judgment.
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