Bible Dictionary
Achor
Achor was a valley near Jericho where Achan was executed after his sin brought trouble upon Israel. Later prophecy used the valley as a picture of trouble being turned into blessing and hope.
Definition
Achor was the valley where Achan was executed after his sin brought trouble upon Israel. Its name means “trouble,” and it became a biblical image of calamity that could be turned into blessing and hope.
Biblical Usage
The valley is named after Achan’s judgment. Isaiah portrays it as a place for herds to lie down, and Hosea calls it a door of hope for pardoned Israel.
Historical Background
The valley was an arable region near Jericho, north of Beth-arabah and south of Debir. Many identify it with Wady Kelt, though the sources do not treat that identification as certain.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Trouble, a valley near Jericho, so called in consequence of the trouble which the sin of Achan caused Israel (Josh. 7:24, 26). The expression “valley of Achor” probably became proverbial for that which caused trouble, and when Isaiah (Isa. 65:10) refers to it he uses it in this sense: “The valley of Achor, a place for herds to lie down in;” i.e., that which had been a source of calamity would become a source of blessing. Hosea also (Hos. 2:15) uses the expression in the same sense: “The valley of Achor for a door of hope;” i.e., trouble would be turned into joy, despair into hope. This valley has been identified with the Wady Kelt.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a'-kor (`akhor, "trouble," the idea of the word being that of trouble which is serious and extreme. See ACHAN): The place where Achan was executed in the time of Joshua (Jos 7:24,26). In all the five places where it is mentioned it is described as the `emek, the arable valley of Achor. There is no ground in the record for the current idea that it must have been a locality with horrid and dismal physical features. It was on a higher level than the camp of Israel in the Jordan valley, and on a lower level than Debir--a different Debir from that of Jos 15:15. In a general way, as indicated by the points mentioned in the border of Judah, it was north of Betharabah, and south of Debir (Jos 7:24; 15:7). Many identify it with the Wady Kelt which descends through a deep ravine from the Judean hills and runs between steep banks south of the modern Jericho to Jordan, the stream after rams becoming a foaming torrent. Possibly the name may have been applied to a region of considerable extent. In Isa 65:10 it is a region on the east side of the mountain ridge which is in some sense balanced with Sharon on the west side. By implication the thing depicted seems to be these rich agricultural localities so far recovered from desolation as to be good grounds for cattle and sheep. Hosea recognizes the comforting aspect of the dreadful affair in the valley of Achor; it was a doorway of hope to pardoned Israel (Ho 2:15 (17)), and he hopes for like acceptance for the Israel of his own day.</p><p>Willis J. Beecher</p>