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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Akan</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/a/akan.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/genesis/36-27.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/a/akan.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Akan</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/naves/a/ajalon--a_valley.htm" title="Ajalon: A Valley">◄</a> Akan <a href="/topical/naves/a/akan--a_horite.htm" title="Akan: A Horite">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#smi" title="Smith's Bible Dictionary">Smith's</a> • <a href="#isb" title="International Standard Bible Encyclopedia">ISBE</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Introduction:</b> <br>Akan is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Joshua. He is a member of the tribe of Judah and is most notably associated with the sin of taking forbidden items during the conquest of Jericho, which led to severe consequences for the Israelites.<br><br><b>Biblical Account:</b> <br>Akan, also referred to as Achan in some translations, is introduced in <a href="/bsb/joshua/7.htm">Joshua 7</a>. After the fall of Jericho, God commanded the Israelites to devote the city and all that was in it to destruction, sparing only Rahab and her family. The Israelites were instructed not to take any of the devoted things for themselves, as doing so would bring trouble upon the camp of Israel.<br><br>Despite this clear command, Akan disobeyed. <a href="/joshua/7.htm">Joshua 7:1</a> states, "But the Israelites acted unfaithfully regarding the devoted things; Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the LORD’s anger burned against the Israelites."<br><br><b>The Consequences of Akan's Sin:</b> <br>Akan's transgression had immediate and dire consequences. The Israelites, unaware of Akan's sin, went to battle against the city of Ai and suffered a humiliating defeat. Joshua, perplexed by the loss, sought the Lord, who revealed that Israel had sinned by taking some of the devoted things.<br><br>The Lord instructed Joshua to sanctify the people and identify the guilty party. Through a process of elimination, Akan was singled out. <a href="/joshua/7-19.htm">Joshua 7:19-21</a> records the confrontation: "So Joshua said to Achan, 'My son, give glory to the LORD, the God of Israel, and give Him the praise. Tell me now what you have done; do not hide it from me.' Achan replied, 'It is true; I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. They are hidden in the ground inside my tent, with the silver underneath.'"<br><br><b>Judgment and Restoration:</b> <br>Upon Akan's confession, Joshua sent messengers to retrieve the stolen items. Akan, along with his family and possessions, was taken to the Valley of Achor. There, he faced the judgment of God. <a href="/joshua/7-25.htm">Joshua 7:25-26</a> recounts the event: "And Joshua said, 'Why have you brought this trouble upon us? The LORD will bring trouble upon you this day.' Then all Israel stoned him to death. They stoned the others as well and burned them. And they raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place has been called the Valley of Achor to this day."<br><br><b>Theological Significance:</b> <br>Akan's account serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commands. His actions not only affected him but also brought consequences upon the entire community of Israel. The narrative underscores the concept of corporate responsibility and the need for communal holiness.<br><br>The Valley of Achor, where Akan was judged, later becomes a symbol of hope and restoration in the prophetic literature. In <a href="/hosea/2-15.htm">Hosea 2:15</a>, the Valley of Achor is mentioned as a "door of hope," indicating God's ability to transform places of judgment into opportunities for renewal and blessing.<br><br><b>Conclusion:</b> <br>Akan's account is a powerful testament to the holiness of God and the necessity for His people to live in accordance with His will. It highlights the destructive nature of sin and the importance of confession and repentance in restoring one's relationship with God.<a name="smi" id="smi"></a><div class="vheading2">Smith's Bible Dictionary</div><span class="encheading">Akan</span><p>(<i>sharp sighted</i>), son of Ezer, one of the "dukes" or chieftains of the Horites, and descendant of Seir. (<a href="/genesis/36-27.htm">Genesis 36:27</a>) He is called <a href="../j/jakan.htm">JAKAN</a> in (<a href="/1_chronicles/1-42.htm">1 Chronicles 1:42</a>)<a name="isb" id="isb"></a><div class="vheading2">International Standard Bible Encyclopedia</div><span class="encheading">AKAN</span><p>a'-kan (`aqan, "twisted"): A son of Ezer, a descendant of Esau of Seir (<a href="/genesis/36-27.htm">Genesis 36:27</a>). He is called Jaakan in <a href="/1_chronicles/1-42.htm">1 Chronicles 1:42</a>. The King James Version margin has Jakan.<p><a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/5912.htm"><span class="l">5912. <b>Akan</b> -- an Israelite name</span></a><br><b>...</b> 5911, 5912. <b>Akan</b>. 5913 . an Israelite name. Transliteration: <b>Akan</b> Phonetic<br> Spelling: (aw-kawn') Short Definition: Achan. <b>...</b> 5911, 5912. <b>Akan</b>. 5913 . <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/5912.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/6130.htm"><span class="l">6130. Aqan -- a descendant of Esau</span></a><br><b>...</b> Aqan. 6131 . a descendant of Esau. Transliteration: Aqan Phonetic Spelling:<br> (aw-kawn') Short Definition: <b>Akan</b>. <b>...</b> of Esau NASB Word Usage <b>Akan</b> (1). <b>Akan</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/6130.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/3275.htm"><span class="l">3275. Yakan -- a Gadite</span></a><br><b>...</b> Word Origin from the same as <b>Akan</b> Definition a Gadite NASB Word Usage Jacan (1).<br> Jachan. From the same as <b>Akan</b>; troublesome; Jakan, an Israelite -- Jachan. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/3275.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><p> <a href="/hebrew/5917.htm"><span class="l">5917. Akar -- a man of Judah</span></a><br><b>...</b> Achar. From akar; troublesome; Akar, an Israelite -- Achar. Compare <b>Akan</b>. see HEBREW<br> akar. see HEBREW <b>Akan</b>. 5916, 5917. Akar. 5918 . Strong's Numbers. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/5917.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/leupold/exposition_of_genesis_volume_1/chapter_xxxvi.htm"><span class="l">Chapter xxxvi</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Shepho ""bald"; 'Ajah (v. Genesis 36:24) ""hawk"; 'Eshban (v. Genesis 36:26)<br> ""restorer"; Ithran ""advantage"; Cheran ""turtle"; '<b>Akan</b> (v. Genesis 36 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvi.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/a/akan.htm"><span class="l"><b>Akan</b> (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b><b>AKAN</b>. a'-kan (`aqan, "twisted"): A son of Ezer, a descendant of Esau of Seir<br> (Genesis 36:27). <b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Akan</b> (2 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/akan.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/j/ja'akan.htm"><span class="l">Ja'<b>akan</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br>Ja'<b>akan</b>. Jaakan, Ja'<b>akan</b>. Jaakanites . Multi-Version Concordance<br> Ja'<b>akan</b> (1 Occurrence). 1 Chronicles 1:42 The sons <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/j/ja'akan.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/bene-ja'akan.htm"><span class="l">Bene-ja'<b>akan</b> (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br>Bene-ja'<b>akan</b>. Bene-jaakan, Bene-ja'<b>akan</b>. Ben-elah . Multi-Version<br> Concordance Bene-ja'<b>akan</b> (3 Occurrences). Numbers <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/bene-ja'akan.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/ajalon.htm"><span class="l">Ajalon (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/ajalon.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/z/za'avan.htm"><span class="l">Za'avan (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Zaavan, Za'avan. Zabad . Multi-Version Concordance Za'avan (2 Occurrences).<br> Genesis 36:27 These are the children of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and <b>Akan</b>. (See RSV <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/z/za'avan.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/z/zaavan.htm"><span class="l">Zaavan (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Zaavan (2 Occurrences). Genesis 36:27 These are the children of Ezer: Bilhan,<br> Zaavan, and <b>Akan</b>. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/z/zaavan.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/j/jaakan.htm"><span class="l">Jaakan (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/j/jaakan.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/j/jaakanites.htm"><span class="l">Jaakanites (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/j/jaakanites.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/e/ezer.htm"><span class="l">Ezer (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Edom. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 36:27 These<br> are the children of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and <b>Akan</b>. (WEB <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/e/ezer.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/ben-elah.htm"><span class="l">Ben-elah (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br>Ben-elah. Bene-ja'<b>akan</b>, Ben-elah. Benevolence . Multi-Version Concordance <b>...</b> (YLT). <br> Bene-ja'<b>akan</b>, Ben-elah. Benevolence . Reference Bible. <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/ben-elah.htm - 6k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://clyx.com/term/akan.htm">Akan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Akan (2 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/genesis/36-27.htm">Genesis 36:27</a></span><br />These are the children of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and <span class="boldtext">Akan</span>.<br /><span class="source">(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_chronicles/1-42.htm">1 Chronicles 1:42</a></span><br />The sons of Ezer: Bilhan, and Zaavan, Jaakan. The sons of Dishan: Uz, and Aran.<br /><span class="source">(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/a/akan.htm">Akan</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/a/akan--a_horite.htm">Akan: A Horite</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/a/akan--also_called_jaakan.htm">Akan: Also Called Jaakan</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/a/akan--and_jakan.htm">Akan: And Jakan</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/ja'akan.htm">Ja'akan (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bene-ja'akan.htm">Bene-ja'akan (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/ajalon.htm">Ajalon (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/za'avan.htm">Za'avan (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zaavan.htm">Zaavan (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jaakan.htm">Jaakan (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jaakanites.htm">Jaakanites (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/ezer.htm">Ezer (10 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/ben-elah.htm">Ben-elah (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bene-jaakan.htm">Bene-jaakan (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bilhan.htm">Bilhan (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/akatan.htm">Akatan</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/naves/a/ajalon--a_valley.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Ajalon: A Valley"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Ajalon: A Valley" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/naves/a/akan--a_horite.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Akan: A Horite"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Akan: A Horite" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>