So Joshua rose up early in the morning, and brought Israel near by their tribes; and the tribe of Judah was taken:
"Of a truth I have sinned ..."  (Joshua 7:20).  It has long been apparent that physical death as inflicted for punishment in the O.T. did not always mean the eternal condemnation of those who thus died.  Adam Clarke said of this case, "This seems a very honest and hearty confession, and there is hope that this poor culprit escaped perdition."[12]