Joshua 7:3

Translations

Modern

On returning to Joshua, they reported, “There is no need to send all the people; two or three thousand men are enough to go up and attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, you need not wear out all our people there.”

Traditional

And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.

Literal

And they returned to Joshua and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up, but let about two thousand men or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not wear out all the people there, for they are few.”

Latin

Et reversi dixerunt ei: Non ascendat omnis populus, sed duo vel tria millia virorum pergant, et deleant civitatem: quare omnis populus frustra vexabitur contra hostes paucissimos?

Original

Hebrew

English

On returning to Joshua, they reported, “There is no need to send all the people; two or three thousand men are enough to go up and attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, you need not wear out all our people there.”

Notes

Joshua 7:3–4

God’s gift of victory at Jericho seems to have led to complacency and overconfidence (a false sense of security). Joshua did not even ask God for guidance before he sent a small group of soldiers to Ai.

Joshua 7:1–26

After Jericho became part of Israel, Joshua's first military task was to secure a position in the hill country. Conquering Jericho boosted Israel's confidence and left the people of Canaan feeling discouraged and without hope. However, everything depended on Israel's obedience to God. The sin of one man and its consequences show the importance of the command to destroy Jericho (see “Complete Dedication” Theme Note).

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua Community Identity Community Responsibility: Achan’s Sin Holy War Remove the Evil Retribution The Dangers of Sin

Events

War with Canaanitesc. 1451 BC

Related verses

Hebrews 6:11–12
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
2 Peter 1:10
Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,
Luke 13:24
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.
2 Peter 1:5
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
Hebrews 4:11
Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
Proverbs 13:4
The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
Proverbs 21:25
The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.

People

Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan

Places

Ai: A Canaanite city conquered by Joshua after initial defeat

Glossary

Ai Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Carmi Conquest and Allotment of the Land Curse, Cursed Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Tribe of Dan Zerah Zimri (Person)

Topics

Armies: Employed in Assaulting Cities Armies: March in Ranks of Ai Sieges: Ai

Joshua 7:3

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