Keraia
Joshua 8

Joshua 8:6

The Conquest of Ai · Joshua 8:1–29
Read Joshua 8

Translations

Modern
They will pursue us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, ‘The Israelites are running away from us as they did before.’ So as we flee from them,
Traditional
(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.
Literal
And they will come out after us until we have drawn them from the city, for they will say, ‘They are fleeing before our faces as at the first.’ And we will flee before their faces,
Latin
…donec persequentes ab urbe longius protrahantur: putabunt enim nos fugere sicut prius.

Original

Hebrew
English
They will pursue us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, ‘The Israelites are running away from us as they did before.’ So as we flee from them,

Notes

Joshua 8:4–9

Joshua told the selected group what to expect from Israel’s main army. This special unit would be separated from Joshua’s direct command for almost two days. Because of this, they needed to understand clearly what they were supposed to do.

Israel’s success in this second attack on Ai depended on exact timing. The group had to rush into the town at the right moment.

Joshua 8:1–13

The Israelites made the first attempt to conquer Ai without consulting God. The second attempt was at God's command and direction. Before this attempt, God spoke to Joshua and gave him a strategy. More importantly, after Israel's recent disaster, God offered encouragement and a promise.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua

Events

Glossary

Ai Conquest and Allotment of the Land Joshua, Book of Judah, Tribe of Judges, Book of Tribe of Dan Warfare

Topics

Ambush: At Ai Armies: March in Ranks: Ambushes, at Ai Armies: March in Ranks: Decoy Cities were Frequently: Stormed Sieges: Ai Strategy in War