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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 7:4 So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of Ai.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/7-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/06_Jos_07_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 7:4 - Israel Defeated at Ai" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of Ai." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/joshua/7-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/joshua/7-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/joshua/">Joshua</a> > <a href="/joshua/7.htm">Chapter 7</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/joshua/7-3.htm" title="Joshua 7:3">◄</a> Joshua 7:4 <a href="/joshua/7-5.htm" title="Joshua 7:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/joshua/7.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/joshua/7.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />So about three thousand went up; but they were routed by the men of Ai,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/7.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So approximately 3,000 warriors were sent, but they were soundly defeated. The men of Ai<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/7.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So about three thousand men went up there from the people. And they fled before the men of Ai,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/7.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/7.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/7.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So about three thousand men went up there from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/7.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/7.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/7.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/7.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/7.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So about three thousand men from the sons of Israel went up there, but they fled [in retreat] from the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/7.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So about three thousand men went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/7.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So about 3,000 men went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/7.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/7.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/7.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So about three thousand men were sent. However, they fled from the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/7.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So about three thousand Israelites made the attack, but they were forced to retreat. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/7.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So about three thousand went up there, but they ran away from the men of Ai. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/7.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/7.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So about three thousand men went up, but they fled from the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/7.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So about three thousand men of the people went up there, and they fled before the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/7.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/7.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />So about three thousand men of the people went up there, and they fled before the men of Ai. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/7.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />So about three thousand men of the people go up from there, and they flee before the men of Ai,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/7.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And there go up of the people thither about three thousand men, and they flee before the men of Ai,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/7.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they will go up there from the people about three thousand men: and they will flee from the face of the men of Ai.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/7.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />There went up therefore three thou- sand fighting men: who immediately turned their backs, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/7.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, they went up with three thousand fighters. And they promptly turned their backs,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/7.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />About three thousand of the people made the attack, but they fled before the army at Ai,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/7.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So about three thousand of the people went up there; and they fled before the men of Ai.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/7.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So there went up about three thousand men; and they fled before the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/7.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And some of the people went up there, about three thousand men, and they fled from before the men of Ai<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/7.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men; and they fled before the men of Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/7.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And there went up about three thousand men, and they fled from before the men of Gai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/7-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=1397" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/7.htm">Israel Defeated at Ai</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>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.” <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: kiš·lō·šeṯ (Prep-k:: Number-msc) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">So about three</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ă·lā·p̄îm (Number-mp) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">thousand</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">men</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: way·ya·‘ă·lū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">went up,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4480.htm" title="4480: min- (Prep) -- From. Or minniy; or minney; for men; properly, a part of; hence, from or out of in many senses."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: šām·māh (Adv:: 3fs) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: way·yā·nu·sū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">but they fled</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/5857.htm" title="5857: hā·‘āy (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- A Canaanite city. Or uaya((Neh. 11:31); or eayath (Isaiah 10:28); for iy; Ai, Aja or Ajath, a place in Palestine.">of Ai.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-21.htm">Judges 20:21</a></span><br />And the Benjamites came out of Gibeah and cut down 22,000 Israelites on the battlefield that day.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/4-10.htm">1 Samuel 4:10</a></span><br />So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and each man fled to his tent. The slaughter was very great—thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/26-17.htm">Leviticus 26:17</a></span><br />And I will set My face against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee when no one pursues you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/28-25.htm">Deuteronomy 28:25</a></span><br />The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will march out against them in one direction but flee from them in seven. You will be an object of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/11-25.htm">2 Samuel 11:25</a></span><br />Then David told the messenger, “Say this to Joab: ‘Do not let this matter upset you, for the sword devours one as well as another. Strengthen your attack against the city and demolish it.’ Encourage him with these words.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-17.htm">Isaiah 30:17</a></span><br />A thousand will flee at the threat of one; at the threat of five you will all flee, until you are left alone like a pole on a mountaintop, like a banner on a hill.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/19-7.htm">Jeremiah 19:7</a></span><br />And in this place I will ruin the plans of Judah and Jerusalem. I will make them fall by the sword before their enemies, by the hands of those who seek their lives, and I will give their carcasses as food to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/44-10.htm">Psalm 44:10</a></span><br />You have made us retreat from the foe, and those who hate us have plundered us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/14-12.htm">2 Kings 14:12</a></span><br />And Judah was routed before Israel, and every man fled to his home.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-16.htm">Hosea 4:16</a></span><br />For Israel is as obstinate as a stubborn heifer. Can the LORD now shepherd them like lambs in an open meadow?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-31.htm">Romans 8:31</a></span><br />What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-12.htm">1 Corinthians 10:12</a></span><br />So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-1.htm">Hebrews 4:1</a></span><br />Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be deemed to have fallen short of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-6.htm">James 4:6</a></span><br />But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-5.htm">1 Peter 5:5</a></span><br />Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.</p><p class="hdg">fled</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/26-17.htm">Leviticus 26:17</a></b></br> And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/28-25.htm">Deuteronomy 28:25</a></b></br> The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Deuteronomy 32:30</a></b></br> How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/7-3.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/exodus/14-27.htm">Routed</a> <a href="/joshua/7-3.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/joshua/7-3.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/joshua/7-3.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/7-5.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/joshua/7-8.htm">Routed</a> <a href="/joshua/20-3.htm">Thither</a> <a href="/joshua/8-3.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/joshua/9-16.htm">Three</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 7</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/7-1.htm">The Israelites are smitten at Ai</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/7-6.htm">Joshua's complaint</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/7-10.htm">God instructs him what to do</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/7-16.htm">Achan is taken by the lot</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/7-19.htm">His confession</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/7-24.htm">He and all he had are destroyed in the valley of Achor</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/7.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/7.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So about three thousand men went up</b><br>This phrase indicates a relatively small contingent of Israelite soldiers was sent to attack Ai. The decision to send only about three thousand men suggests a level of overconfidence, possibly due to the previous victory at Jericho. The number reflects a strategic choice based on the spies' report in <a href="/joshua/7-3.htm">Joshua 7:3</a>, which underestimated the strength of Ai. This decision contrasts with the larger forces typically used in ancient warfare, highlighting a reliance on human judgment rather than seeking divine guidance.<p><b>but they fled before the men of Ai</b><br>The Israelites' retreat marks a significant and unexpected defeat, especially after the miraculous victory at Jericho. This phrase underscores the consequences of disobedience and sin within the camp, as Achan's transgression (<a href="/joshua/7.htm">Joshua 7:1</a>) led to the loss of divine favor. The flight before Ai's men serves as a humbling reminder of the need for reliance on God rather than human strength. This event foreshadows the importance of holiness and obedience in achieving victory, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament. The defeat also prefigures the necessity of repentance and atonement, pointing to the ultimate redemption through Jesus Christ, who provides victory over sin and death.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of the Israelites, who succeeded Moses and led the people into the Promised Land. He is responsible for the military campaigns to conquer Canaan.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who are on a mission to take possession of the land promised to them by God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ai.htm">Ai</a></b><br>A Canaanite city that the Israelites attempted to conquer after their victory at Jericho. The name "Ai" means "ruin" in Hebrew.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_of_ai.htm">The Men of Ai</a></b><br>The inhabitants of the city of Ai, who successfully defended their city against the initial attack by the Israelites.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_defeat_at_ai.htm">The Defeat at Ai</a></b><br>An event where the Israelites, confident after their victory at Jericho, underestimated their enemy and suffered a defeat due to disobedience and sin within their camp.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_disobedience.htm">The Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>The defeat at Ai serves as a stark reminder that disobedience to God's commands can lead to failure and defeat. It is crucial to seek God's guidance and adhere to His instructions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_overconfidence.htm">The Danger of Overconfidence</a></b><br>The Israelites' assumption that Ai would be an easy victory led to their downfall. We must remain humble and reliant on God, recognizing that past successes do not guarantee future victories.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_community_accountability.htm">The Importance of Community Accountability</a></b><br>Achan's sin affected the entire community, illustrating the interconnectedness of the body of believers. We must hold each other accountable and address sin within our communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>After the defeat, Joshua and the Israelites sought God's guidance, leading to repentance and eventual victory. This teaches us the importance of turning back to God and seeking His forgiveness when we fall short.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_7.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 7</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_deut._7_16_align_with_israel's_losses.htm">How can Deuteronomy 7:16’s promise of victory over enemies be reconciled with records of Israel’s military setbacks in other biblical accounts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_collective_guilt_in_joshua_7_11.htm">Why does Joshua 7:11 emphasize collective guilt when only Achan committed the offense? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/augustus_caesar's_biblical_role.htm">What is Ai's significance in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_achan_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Achan in the Bible?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/7.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">They fled before the men of Ai.</span>--A very natural reaction from overweening confidence to utter dismay is exhibited in this incident and its effect (<a href="/joshua/7-5.htm" title="And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even to Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: why the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.">Joshua 7:5</a>), "the heart of the people melted and became as water." The demoralisation of Israel was a suitable penalty for their assumption, quite apart from its supernatural cause. It was absolutely necessary that the character of the conquest of Canaan should be vindicated, at whatever cost.<p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/7-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So about three</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּשְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(kiš·lō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thousand</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲלָפִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·lā·p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thousand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">men</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֑ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">went up,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעֲל֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘ă·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but they were put to flight</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּנֻ֕סוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·nu·sū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> </span><span class="str2">To flit, vanish away</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> </span><span class="str2">The face</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the men</span><br /><span class="heb">אַנְשֵׁ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(’an·šê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Ai.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘āy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5857.htm">Strong's 5857: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ai -- a Canaanite city</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/7-4.htm">OT History: Joshua 7:4 So about three thousand men (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/7-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 7:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 7:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/7-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 7:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 7:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>