Midrash su Giosuè 7:12

Our Rabbis were taught: The term na. used in Joshua's talk to Achan, means, "I pray." At the time the Holy One, praised be He! said unto Joshua (Josh. 7, 11) Israel hath sinned, Joshua said before Him: "Sovereign of the Universe! who has sinned?" To which the Lord answered: "Am I then a talebearer? Go and draw lots." He went and drew lots, and the lot fell upon Achan. Achan said to Joshua: "Joshua, do you accuse me because of a lot? Thou and Elazar, who are the greatest of this generation, if I were to draw lots between you and him, to one of you the lot would fall." And Joshua rejoined: "I pray thee, do not discredit the decision of the lots, as the land of Israel will be divided by lots, as it is said (Num. 20, 55) Through the lot shall the land he divided. Make confession!" Rabina said: "He won him over with persuasive words. He said to him: 'Do we want of you more than a confession? Confess and you will be free.' " (Josh. 7, 12) And Achan answered Joshua, and said: "Truly, I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done." R. Assi said in the name of R. Chanina: "Infer from this that Achan had committed a similar crime thrice — twice in the days of Moses and once in the days of Joshua, for it is said: And thus and thus I have done." R. Jochanan in the name of R. Elazar b. Simon said: "Five times — four in the time of Moses and once in the days of Joshua, as it is said: I have sinned, and thus and thus have I done. "But why was he not punished until the last crime? R. Jochanan said in the name of R. Elazar b. R. Simon: "Because for crimes committed in secrecy Israel was not punished until they passed the Jordan."

R. Parnakh said in the name of R. Johanan: Observe what is written: When I saw among the spoil a goodly Shinar mantle (Josh. 7:12). This alludes to the purple mantle worn by the king of Babylonia when he ruled over Jericho. Therefore it states: The goodliest heritage of the nations.