CINXE.COM

<!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 8:17 Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/8-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/06_Jos_08_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 8:17 - The Conquest of Ai" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel." /><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/8-17.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/8-17.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/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 17</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="/ad17.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/8-16.htm" title="Joshua 8:16">◄</a> Joshua 8:17 <a href="/joshua/8-18.htm" title="Joshua 8:18">►</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/8.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/8.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Not a man remained in Ai or Bethel who did not go after Israel. They left the city open and went in pursuit of Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not chase after the Israelites, and the town was left wide open.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. They left the city open and pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. So they left the city open and pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So not a man was left in Ai or Bethel, but they had all gone out after Israel, and they left the city unguarded and pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel, and they left the city unguarded and pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel, and they left the city unguarded and pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So not a man remained in Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel, and they forsook the city, <i>leaving it</i> open, and pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel; so they left the city open <i>and</i> unguarded and they pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city exposed while they pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city exposed while they pursued Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Not one man was left in Ai or Bethel; they all went after Israel. So the city was left unprotected as they chased Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Every man in Ai went after the Israelites, and the city was left wide open, with no one to defend it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />There wasn't a single man left in Ai or Bethel who didn't run out after Israel. They left the city open and pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />No men were left in Ai or Bethel; they all went out after Israel. They left the city wide open and chased Israel. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />There was not a man left in Ai or Beth El who did not go out after Israel. They left the city open, and pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And there was not a man left in Ai, or Beth-el that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who didn’t go out after Israel. They left the city open, and pursued Israel. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and there has not been a man left in Ai and Bethel who has not gone out after Israel, and they leave the city open, and pursue after Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and there hath not been left a man in Ai and Bethel who hath not gone out after Israel, and they leave the city open, and pursue after Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And a man was not left in Ai and the house of God, who will not go forth after Israel: and they will leave the city opened and will pursue after Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And not one remained in the city of Hai and of Bethel, that did not pursue after Israel, leaving the towns open as they had rushed out, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />and indeed not one remained in the city of Ai and of Bethel who did not pursue after Israel, (leaving the towns open after they had rushed out,)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />not a soldier remained in Ai or Bethel. They abandoned the city, leaving it open, as they pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel; they left the city open, and pursued Israel.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el who did not go out after Israel; and they left the city open, and pursued Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And there was not a man left in Ai or in Bayth Eil who did not go out after Israel and they left the city when it was opened up and they pursued after Israel<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el, that went not out after Israel; and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />There was no one left in Gai who did not pursue after Israel; and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/8-17.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=1879" 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/8.htm">The Conquest of Ai</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city. <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Not</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.">a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/7604.htm" title="7604: niš·’ar (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To remain, be left over. A primitive root; properly, to swell up, i.e. Be redundant.">was left</a> <a href="/hebrew/5857.htm" title="5857: bā·‘ay (Prep-b, 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.">in Ai</a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: ū·ḇêṯFrom bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1008.htm" title="1008: ’êl (Conj-w:: N-proper-fs) -- From bayith and 'el; house of God; Beth-El, a place in Palestine.">or Bethel</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yā·ṣə·’ū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">go out</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">after</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5800.htm" title="5800: way·ya·‘az·ḇū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To loosen, relinquish, permit. A primitive root; to loosen, i.e. Relinquish, permit, etc.">leaving</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/6605.htm" title="6605: pə·ṯū·ḥāh (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-fs) -- To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve. A primitive root; to open wide; specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve.">wide open</a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: way·yir·də·p̄ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">while they pursued</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">Israel.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Hold out your battle lance toward Ai, for into your hand I will deliver the city.” So Joshua held out his battle lance toward Ai,…<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="/joshua/2-9.htm">Joshua 2:9-11</a></span><br />and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you. / For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites across the Jordan, whom you devoted to destruction. / When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/6-1.htm">Joshua 6:1-2</a></span><br />Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. / And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31-32</a></span><br />The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. / “We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/10-9.htm">2 Samuel 10:9-10</a></span><br />When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/7-14.htm">2 Kings 7:14-16</a></span><br />Then the scouts took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and see.” / And they tracked them as far as the Jordan, and indeed, the whole way was littered with the clothing and equipment the Arameans had thrown off in haste. So the scouts returned and told the king. / Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/13-13.htm">2 Chronicles 13:13-17</a></span><br />Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them. / When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets, / and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-33.htm">Isaiah 37:33-35</a></span><br />So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city,’ declares the LORD. / ‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/21-4.htm">Jeremiah 21:4-7</a></span><br />this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will turn against you the weapons of war in your hands, with which you are fighting the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the wall, and I will assemble their forces in the center of this city. / And I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, with anger, fury, and great wrath. / I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/34-21.htm">Jeremiah 34:21-22</a></span><br />And I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives, to the army of the king of Babylon that had withdrawn from you. / Behold, I am going to give the command, declares the LORD, and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, capture it, and burn it down. And I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/21-22.htm">Ezekiel 21:22</a></span><br />In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-15.htm">Matthew 24:15-18</a></span><br />So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination of desolation,’ spoken of by the prophet Daniel (let the reader understand), / then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/13-14.htm">Mark 13:14-16</a></span><br />So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/21-20.htm">Luke 21:20-22</a></span><br />But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-19.htm">Acts 5:19-20</a></span><br />But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out, saying, / “Go, stand in the temple courts and tell the people the full message of this new life.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/12-18.htm">Acts 12:18-19</a></span><br />At daybreak there was no small commotion among the soldiers as to what had become of Peter. / After Herod had searched for him unsuccessfully, he examined the guards and ordered that they be executed. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent some time there.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.</p><p class="hdg">a man</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/8-3.htm">Joshua 8:3,24,25</a></b></br> So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/11-20.htm">Joshua 11:20</a></b></br> For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, <i>and</i> that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/2-30.htm">Deuteronomy 2:30</a></b></br> But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as <i>appeareth</i> this day.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/8-16.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/joshua/7-2.htm">Beth</a> <a href="/joshua/8-12.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/joshua/8-12.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/joshua/8-16.htm">City</a> <a href="/genesis/35-7.htm">El</a> <a href="/joshua/8-15.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/4-3.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-25.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/8-16.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/joshua/8-16.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/joshua/2-7.htm">Pursuit</a> <a href="/luke/11-54.htm">Unguarded</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/8-18.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/joshua/10-10.htm">Beth</a> <a href="/joshua/12-9.htm">Bethel</a> <a href="/joshua/12-9.htm">Beth-El</a> <a href="/joshua/8-18.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/19-14.htm">El</a> <a href="/joshua/8-21.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/6-4.htm">Leave</a> <a href="/joshua/8-24.htm">Open</a> <a href="/joshua/10-19.htm">Pursue</a> <a href="/joshua/8-24.htm">Pursued</a> <a href="/judges/8-4.htm">Pursuit</a> <a href="/luke/11-54.htm">Unguarded</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-1.htm">God encourages Joshua</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-3.htm">The plan whereby Ai was taken</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-29.htm">The king thereof is hanged</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-30.htm">Joshua builds an altar</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-32.htm">writes the law on stones</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-33.htm">and pronounces the blessings and curses</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/8.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/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel</b><br>This phrase highlights the complete mobilization of the forces from both Ai and Bethel. Ai was a smaller city near Bethel, and both were located in the central hill country of Canaan. The strategic alliance between these cities indicates the threat Israel posed to the region. Historically, Bethel was a significant city, often associated with worship and later idolatry. The absence of men suggests a total commitment to the battle, leaving their cities vulnerable. This reflects the desperation and confidence of the Canaanites in their military strategy.<p><b>who did not go out after Israel</b><br>The pursuit of Israel by the men of Ai and Bethel demonstrates their belief in a potential victory, likely due to the previous defeat of Israel at Ai (Joshua 7). This overconfidence was part of Joshua's strategy, as he used a feigned retreat to draw them out. The tactic of luring the enemy away from their stronghold is a classic military maneuver, showing Joshua's wisdom and God's guidance in battle. This also serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God, contrasting the earlier failure due to Achan's sin.<p><b>leaving the city wide open</b><br>The phrase indicates the vulnerability of Ai and Bethel, as their defenses were abandoned. This was a critical error, as it allowed the Israelites to execute their ambush successfully. The open city symbolizes the exposure of the Canaanite's false security and the impending judgment upon them. In a broader biblical context, it reflects the theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel regarding the conquest of Canaan.<p><b>while they pursued Israel</b><br>The pursuit signifies the Canaanites' aggressive stance, driven by their desire to defeat Israel decisively. This action, however, plays into the hands of Joshua's strategy, orchestrated by divine instruction. The pursuit is reminiscent of other biblical narratives where the enemies of God's people are lured into traps, such as the Egyptians at the Red Sea (Exodus 14). It underscores the theme of God using the plans of the wicked to bring about their downfall, ultimately pointing to the sovereignty of God in the affairs of nations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/ai.htm">Ai</a></b><br>A Canaanite city that Israel initially failed to conquer due to Achan's sin but later defeated under God's guidance.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel</a></b><br>A nearby city to Ai, whose men joined the pursuit against Israel, leaving both cities vulnerable.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, led by Joshua, executing a strategic military plan to conquer Ai.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of Israel, who followed God's instructions to orchestrate a successful ambush against Ai.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_ambush.htm">The Ambush</a></b><br>A strategic military tactic commanded by God, where part of the Israelite army lured the men of Ai and Bethel away from their cities.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_strategy.htm">Obedience to God's Strategy</a></b><br>Joshua's success at Ai underscores the importance of following God's specific instructions. Believers are reminded to seek and adhere to God's guidance in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_sin.htm">The Consequences of Sin</a></b><br>The initial failure at Ai due to Achan's sin serves as a warning about the communal impact of individual disobedience. It calls for personal and communal holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_battle.htm">God's Sovereignty in Battle</a></b><br>The victory at Ai illustrates that ultimate success in any endeavor comes from God. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_vigilance.htm">The Importance of Vigilance</a></b><br>The men of Ai and Bethel left their cities unguarded, leading to their defeat. Christians are reminded to remain vigilant and not leave their spiritual "cities" unprotected.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/u/unity_and_cooperation.htm">Unity and Cooperation</a></b><br>The Israelites worked together under Joshua's leadership, demonstrating the power of unity and cooperation in achieving God's purposes.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_isn't_ai_mentioned_later_in_the_bible.htm">If Ai was truly annihilated, why does it not appear in later references to the region's cities in the Old Testament?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_don't_joshua's_battles_match_archaeology.htm">Why do battles in the Book of Joshua (e.g., Ai’s destruction) not match the archaeological record?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_joshua_8's_ambush_unique.htm">Why does the ambush strategy described in Joshua 8:2-22 differ from other accounts of Israelite conquests?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_ai's_destruction_just_and_loving.htm">How can the total extermination of Ai's inhabitants (Joshua 8:24-25) be reconciled with a just and loving God?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">There was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el.</span>--Another singular justification of the peculiar strategy of Joshua. The road past Beth-el to Ai had been left open. It passes the north end of the two ravines in which Joshua's ambush was posted. At the same time, it would have been easy to conceal a chain of sentinels that could observe it and tell the 35,000 men in ambush what was going on, so that if any attempt had been made by the men of Beth-el to protect Ai, it could easily have been frustrated. But no one suspected any danger, and therefore no such attempt was made. The men of Beth-el and Ai took the road that was left open to them and pursued the Israelites, probably down the ancient way past Michmash towards the Shebarim, leaving Beth-el and Ai both unprotected. After they had gone some distance, about a mile or a mile and a half from Ai, this road would bring them past the lower end of the ravine in which the ambush was posted. A second chain of outposts would easily take the signal from Joshua when this point had been passed, and then all was over with the town of Ai.<p>It is curious that we do not hear of the capture of Beth-el at this time, though it would have been perfectly easy to take it. The king of Beth-el is named in the list of those whom Joshua smote (<a href="/joshua/12-16.htm" title="The king of Makkedah, one; the king of Bethel, one;">Joshua 12:16</a>). We read of its capture in <a href="/judges/1-22.htm" title="And the house of Joseph, they also went up against Bethel: and the LORD was with them.">Judges 1:22</a>, and of the "entrance into the city" being sought for and betrayed. But that can hardly have been the <span class= "ital">first </span>capture of the town.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 17.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Or Bethel.</span> These words are not in the LXX., and they may possibly have been a marginal gloss, for the intervention of the people of Bethel in this battle is very unintelligible. See note on Joshua 7:2. On the other hand, it is quite possible that the difficulty involved in their retention may have caused their omission from the LXX., and it may perhaps be thought possible that, on the capture of Ai, the Bethelites returned with all speed to their city, and that Joshua postponed its capture in consequence of the formidable confederacy (<a href="/joshua/9-1.htm">Joshua 9:1, 2</a>), which his success had called into existence, or, perhaps, by a desire to signalise at once the victory at Ai by the ceremony (vers. 30-35) at Gerizim. We read in <a href="/joshua/12-16.htm">Joshua 12:16</a> that Bethel was taken. In <a href="/judges/1-22.htm">Judges 1:22</a> we read that it was not (see note on Joshua 12:16). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/8-17.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">Not</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֗ישׁ</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">was left</span><br /><span class="heb">נִשְׁאַ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(niš·’ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7604.htm">Strong's 7604: </a> </span><span class="str2">To swell up, be, redundant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in Ai</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּעַי֙</span> <span class="translit">(bā·‘ay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, 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 /><br /><span class="word">or Bethel</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֔ל</span> <span class="translit">(’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1008.htm">Strong's 1008: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">did not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">go out</span><br /><span class="heb">יָצְא֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ṣə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, bring, out, direct and proxim</span><br /><br /><span class="word">after</span><br /><span class="heb">אַחֲרֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’a·ḥă·rê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The hind or following part</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel,</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">leaving</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיַּעַזְב֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·‘az·ḇū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5800.htm">Strong's 5800: </a> </span><span class="str2">To loosen, relinquish, permit</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the city</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִיר֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wide open</span><br /><span class="heb">פְּתוּחָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(pə·ṯū·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6605.htm">Strong's 6605: </a> </span><span class="str2">To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve</span><br /><br /><span class="word">while they pursued</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yir·də·p̄ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pursue, chase, persecute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/8-17.htm">Joshua 8:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/8-17.htm">Joshua 8:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/8-17.htm">Joshua 8:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/8-17.htm">Joshua 8:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/8-17.htm">Joshua 8:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/8-17.htm">Joshua 8:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/8-17.htm">Joshua 8:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/8-17.htm">Joshua 8:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/8-17.htm">Joshua 8:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/8-17.htm">Joshua 8:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/8-17.htm">OT History: Joshua 8:17 There was not a man left (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/8-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 8:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/8-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 8:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:18" /></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>