דברי הימים א, פרק ב׳, פסוק ז׳

Genealogical records often serve as more than simple family trees; they act as historical ledgers that pass moral judgment on the past. In tracing the lineage of the Israelites, the historical account pauses to recall a traumatic event from the era of Joshua, permanently branding a sinner's disgrace into the nation's memory.

The narrative introduces the sons of Carmi, even though Carmi himself does not appear in the immediately preceding lineage. This reflects the standard method of these genealogical records, which draw upon well-known traditions or larger, more comprehensive archives. Carmi is recognized from earlier history as a member of the Zerah family [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Although the record refers to his "sons" in the plural, it proceeds to list only one individual. The original archives likely contained many names, but Ezra the Scribe, who compiled this record, selected only the specific individuals essential to his narrative purpose, intentionally skipping the rest [מלבי״ם].

The central figure brought into focus is Achar. Commentators unanimously identify him as Achan, the infamous figure from the conquest of Jericho. His name is deliberately altered from Achan to Achar as a mark of profound disgrace, highlighting the sheer gravity of his actions [רש״י, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. He is labeled as the one who troubled Israel, a harsh title given to someone who brought confusion, corruption, and ruin upon the nation [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ].

This severe reputation was earned because he committed a grave crime by taking from the banned spoils of Jericho [מצודת ציון]. His violation directly caused a military disaster for the Israelites, resulting in the tragic loss of thirty-six men [רש״י, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Highlighting this shameful act is not accidental; it aligns with a broader historical purpose. By exposing the severe moral failures of certain families, the record explains why the ultimate royal dynasty of Israel could never have emerged from their ranks [רש״י].