עָכוֹר

From the study of Hosea 2:15

Range of meaning

A place name built on the root ʿ-k-r, 'to trouble, stir up, bring disaster on'. The verb is used of bringing ruin on a household or nation (Genesis 34:30; 1 Kings 18:17–18, where Ahab and Elijah each call the other 'troubler of Israel').

Against the English

Most English versions give the name 'Achor' without explaining it. That hides the wordplay. The NLT translates the name as 'Valley of Trouble', which keeps the meaning but loses the place name.

How it drifted

Hebrew place names often carried meanings everyone understood. When they are only transliterated, the English reader gets a sound with no sense.

Used elsewhere in the period

Joshua 7:24–26 tells how Achan took plunder that was devoted to God at Jericho. Israel was defeated at Ai, and Achan and his household were stoned and burned in this valley. Joshua puns: 'Why have you troubled (ʿakhartanu) us? The LORD will trouble (yaʿkorkha) you today', 'therefore the place is called the Valley of Achor'. 1 Chronicles 2:7 even spells Achan as 'Achar, the troubler (ʿokher) of Israel'. Isaiah 65:10 likewise promises that Achor will become 'a resting place for herds'. The valley also appears as a place name in the Copper Scroll from Qumran (3Q15).

From the study of Joshua 7:24

Range of meaning

The verb ʿākar means to stir up or make murky (like churning water), and from that to bring ruin, disaster or calamity on someone, especially a community. It is strong language: Jephthah uses it when his vow destroys his family (Judg 11:35). Jonathan uses it of Saul's oath, which wore out the army (1 Sam 14:29). Ahab calls Elijah the 'troubler of Israel' and Elijah turns the charge back on him (1 Kgs 18:17–18). Achor is the place name built from this root.

Against the English

English versions transliterate 'Achor', and some explain it as 'Trouble'. Today 'trouble' sounds like inconvenience or difficulty. The Hebrew means disaster that pollutes a whole community, the kind that left 36 men dead at Ai (7:5).

How it drifted

English 'trouble' has weakened over time, while the Hebrew kept its sense of covenant disaster.

Used elsewhere in the period

Joshua 6:18 says almost exactly what will happen: if Israel takes the devoted things, they will 'make the camp of Israel devoted to destruction and bring trouble (ʿăkartem) upon it'. 1 Chronicles 2:7 remembers the man as 'Achar, the troubler (ʿôkēr) of Israel'. Later prophets reverse the name: Hosea 2:15 (Heb. 2:17) promises the Valley of Achor as 'a door of hope', and Isaiah 65:10 makes it a resting place for herds. The Dead Sea Copper Scroll (3Q15) also mentions a Valley of Achor.

From the study of Joshua 7:26

Range of meaning

The root ʿ-k-r means to stir up or muddy (water), and from that to bring ruin, disaster or taboo on a group: making someone 'stink' to their neighbours, or bringing a curse that spreads to everyone around. The place-name ʿĀkôr is formed from this root.

Against the English

Most English versions leave 'Achor' untranslated, so the wordplay is lost unless the reader remembers 'trouble' from v. 25. The NLT translates it as 'Valley of Trouble'. Even 'trouble' is weak in modern English, where it suggests a nuisance. The Hebrew means calamity brought on a whole community.

How it drifted

English 'trouble' has softened over time ('sorry to trouble you'), while the KJV-era sense of distress or affliction has faded.

Used elsewhere in the period

Gen 34:30: Jacob tells Simeon and Levi, 'You have brought ʿakar on me, making me stink to the inhabitants of the land.' 1 Sam 14:29: Jonathan says his father's rash curse 'has ʿakar-ed the land'. 1 Kgs 18:17–18: Ahab calls Elijah 'troubler (ʿoker) of Israel'. 1 Chr 2:7 calls the man himself 'Achar, the ʿoker of Israel, who broke faith over the devoted things'. The Greek translation spells his name Achar throughout Joshua 7. Hos 2:15 [Heb 2:17] and Isa 65:10 later promise that this valley will become 'a door of hope' and a pasture.