Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
, one who troubles (1 Chr. 2:7), in commemoration of his crime, which brought upon him an awful destruction (Josh. 7:1). On the occasion of the fall of Jericho, he seized, contrary to the divine command, an ingot of gold, a quantity of silver, and a costly Babylonish garment, which he hid in his tent. Joshua was convinced that the defeat which the Israelites afterwards sustained before Ai was a proof of the divine displeasure on account of some crime, and he at once adopted means by the use of the lot for discovering the criminal.
It was then found that Achan was guilty, and he was stoned to death in the valley of Achor. He and all that belonged to him were then consumed by fire, and a heap of stones was raised over the ashes.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
(troubler), an Israelite of the tribe of Judah, who, when Jericho and all that it contained were accursed and devoted to destruction, secreted a portion of the spoil in his tent. For this sin he was stoned to death with his whole family by the people, in a valley situated between Ai and Jericho, and their remains, together with his property, were burnt. e. trouble).
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
A'CHAN, or A'CHAR (troubler), son of Carmi, of the tribe of Judah, whose concealment of a part of the spoils of Jericho in violation of the divine command. Josh 6:18, brought defeat upon his countrymen at Ai. Josh 7:18;1 Chr 2:7. He was providentially convicted, and with his family was stoned to death, and his property, together with their remains, was burnt. The valley in which this event occurred was called after him. See Achor. A'CHAZ, Matt 1:9, the Greek form of Ahaz.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
or Achar, he that troubleth
Schaff's Bible Dictionary
A'CHAN, or A'CHAR (troubler), son of Carmi, of the tribe of Judah, whose concealment of a part of the spoils of Jericho in violation of the divine command. Josh 6:18, brought defeat upon his countrymen at Ai. Josh 7:18;1 Chr 2:7. He was providentially convicted, and with his family was stoned to death, and his property, together with their remains, was burnt. The valley in which this event occurred was called after him. See Achor.