Definition: Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, [but] turned [their] backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 7:12. It's a really important and dramatic passage in the Bible about God’s judgment on Israel during the time of the Siege of Jericho. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is saying: “Because of their disobedience and wickedness, they’re completely defeated and will be abandoned.” Let's unpack it piece by piece: “Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies…” - This means that the Israelites were facing a serious problem – they were being attacked and harassed by their neighbors. They were in a difficult situation where they couldn’t stand to be seen or confronted. “…but turned [their] backs before their enemies…” - This is the key part. Instead of fighting back, the Israelites ignored their enemies. They didn't defend themselves. “because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” – This is where it gets really powerful. "Accursed" means cursed or condemned. God sees this as a sign of their sin and wickedness. He’s saying that because they weren't fighting back, they were already in a position of being cursed. And he’s giving them a very specific task: destroy the accursed from among you. This means that God intends to completely eliminate them – to sweep them out of their land and leave them with no future. In short, it's a judgment from God about Israel’s defiance and disobedience, leading to their ultimate defeat. The Context is Important: This verse happened during a time when the Israelites were refusing to walk through the walls of Jericho after God promised to give them victory. They had been defiant, and God decided that their refusal to fight was a sign that they needed to be removed from the land. It’s a powerful example of God's power and his judgment on sin and disobedience. Do you want me to: Explain why this verse is significant in biblical history? Discuss the context surrounding this passage? Or, do you have any other questions about it?