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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 8:15 Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/8-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/7/06_Jos_08_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 8:15 - The Conquest of Ai" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.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/8-14.htm" title="Joshua 8:14">◄</a> Joshua 8:15 <a href="/joshua/8-16.htm" title="Joshua 8:16">►</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 />Joshua and all Israel let themselves be driven back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Joshua and the Israelite army fled toward the wilderness as though they were badly beaten.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them and fled in the direction of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Joshua and all Israel pretended to be defeated before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Joshua and all Israel pretended to be defeated by them, and ran toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten back by them and fled toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten back by them and fled toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Joshua and all Israel pretended to be defeated. They ran away toward the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Joshua and his men pretended that they were retreating, and ran away toward the barren country. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Because Joshua and the entire fighting force of Israel pretended to lose the battle by running away in front of them toward the wilderness, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Joshua and all Israel pretended to be defeated by them and they retreated along the way to the desert.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel [seem] struck before them, and flee the way of the wilderness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Joshua and all Israel seem stricken before them, and flee the way of the wilderness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel will be smitten before them, and will flee the way of the desert.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But Josue, and all Israel gave back, making as if they were afraid, and fleeing by the way of the wilderness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Yet truly, Joshua, and all of Israel, withdrew from the place, pretending to be afraid, and fleeing along the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Joshua and the main body of the Israelites fled toward the wilderness, pretending defeat,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel made a pretense of being beaten before them, and fled in the direction of the wilderness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel scattered before them to flee by way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Yeshua scattered and all Israel from before them to flee into the way of wilderness<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Joshua and Israel saw, and retreated from before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/8-15.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=1864" 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">14</span>When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3091.htm" title="3091: yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘ (N-proper-ms) -- Or Yhowshua; from Yhovah and yasha'; Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua, the Jewish leader.">Joshua</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">and all</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/5060.htm" title="5060: way·yin·nā·ḡə·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Nifal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to touch, i.e. Lay the hand upon; by implication, to reach; violently, to strike.">let themselves be beaten back</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê·hem (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 3mp) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">before them,</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.">and they fled</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: de·reḵ (N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">toward</a> <a href="/hebrew/4057.htm" title="4057: ham·miḏ·bār (Art:: N-ms) -- A pasture, a desert, speech. From dabar in the sense of driving; a pasture; by implication, a desert; also speech.">the wilderness.</a> </span><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.…<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="/exodus/14-3.htm">Exodus 14:3-4</a></span><br />For Pharaoh will say of the Israelites, ‘They are wandering the land in confusion; the wilderness has boxed them in.’ / And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart so that he will pursue them. But I will gain honor by means of Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD.” So this is what the Israelites did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-36.htm">Judges 20:36-39</a></span><br />Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah. / The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword. / The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-23.htm">2 Samuel 5:23-25</a></span><br />So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. / As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” / So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-10.htm">2 Kings 3:10-24</a></span><br />“Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!” / But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” / Jehoshaphat affirmed, “The word of the LORD is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-22.htm">2 Chronicles 20:22-23</a></span><br />The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-36.htm">Isaiah 37:36-37</a></span><br />Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/37-9.htm">Jeremiah 37:9-10</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Do not deceive yourselves by saying, ‘The Chaldeans will go away for good,’ for they will not! / Indeed, if you were to strike down the entire army of the Chaldeans that is fighting against you, and only wounded men remained in their tents, they would still get up and burn this city down.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-10.htm">1 Samuel 7:10-12</a></span><br />As the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel, Samuel was offering up the burnt offering. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel. / Then the men of Israel charged out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines, striking them down all the way to an area below Beth-car. / Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the LORD has helped us.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">2 Kings 19:35-36</a></span><br />And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! / So Sennacherib king of Assyria broke camp and withdrew. He returned to Nineveh and stayed there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/13-13.htm">2 Chronicles 13:13-18</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="/matthew/4-1.htm">Matthew 4:1-11</a></span><br />Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. / After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry. / The tempter came to Him and said, “If You are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/4-1.htm">Luke 4:1-13</a></span><br />Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, / where for forty days He was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they had ended, He was hungry. / The devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/18-4.htm">John 18:4-8</a></span><br />Jesus, knowing all that was coming upon Him, stepped forward and asked them, “Whom are you seeking?” / “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas His betrayer was standing there with them. / When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/5-38.htm">Acts 5:38-39</a></span><br />So in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone. Let them go! For if their purpose or endeavor is of human origin, it will fail. / But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”<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?</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.</p><p class="hdg">by the way</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/18-12.htm">Joshua 18:12</a></b></br> And their border on the north side was from Jordan; and the border went up to the side of Jericho on the north side, and went up through the mountains westward; and the goings out thereof were at the wilderness of Bethaven.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/17-11.htm">Acting</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-2.htm">Beaten</a> <a href="/joshua/5-10.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-3.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-17.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/joshua/8-14.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/8-13.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-30.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/genesis/42-7.htm">Pretended</a> <a href="/philippians/1-18.htm">Pretense</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-3.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/genesis/24-1.htm">Stricken</a> <a href="/joshua/8-13.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/joshua/5-5.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/joshua/7-8.htm">Way</a> <a href="/joshua/5-6.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/9-4.htm">Acting</a> <a href="/judges/20-36.htm">Beaten</a> <a href="/joshua/15-1.htm">Desert</a> <a href="/joshua/8-18.htm">Direction</a> <a href="/joshua/13-12.htm">Driven</a> <a href="/joshua/8-17.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/8-16.htm">Joshua</a> <a href="/joshua/13-12.htm">Overcome</a> <a href="/1_samuel/21-13.htm">Pretended</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-10.htm">Pretense</a> <a href="/joshua/24-15.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/joshua/13-1.htm">Stricken</a> <a href="/joshua/8-27.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/joshua/8-28.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/joshua/8-20.htm">Way</a> <a href="/joshua/8-20.htm">Wilderness</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>Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them</b><br>This phrase describes a strategic retreat orchestrated by Joshua. The context is the battle against Ai, following the initial defeat due to Achan's sin. This time, God provided a specific battle plan (<a href="/joshua/8.htm">Joshua 8:1-2</a>). The retreat was a ruse to draw the men of Ai away from the city, demonstrating Joshua's obedience to God's instructions and his military acumen. This tactic is reminiscent of other biblical strategies where apparent weakness is used to achieve victory, such as Gideon's battle against the Midianites (Judges 7).<p><b>and they fled toward the wilderness</b><br>The wilderness here refers to the barren region east of Ai, likely the Judean wilderness. This area was familiar to the Israelites from their wanderings and served as a strategic location for ambushes. The flight toward the wilderness was part of the deception to lure Ai's forces away from the city, leaving it vulnerable to the ambush set by Joshua. This tactic highlights the importance of obedience and trust in God's plan, as seen in other biblical narratives where God uses unexpected means to deliver His people, such as the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of Israel, successor to Moses, who is orchestrating the military strategy against Ai.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The nation chosen by God, consisting of the twelve tribes, engaged in the conquest of Canaan.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ai.htm">Ai</a></b><br>A Canaanite city that Israel is attempting to conquer after a previous defeat.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wilderness.htm">The Wilderness</a></b><br>The area to which Joshua and the Israelites feigned retreat, part of their strategic deception.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_of_ai.htm">The Men of Ai</a></b><br>The inhabitants and defenders of the city of Ai, who are drawn out of the city by Israel's feigned retreat.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/strategic_wisdom.htm">Strategic Wisdom</a></b><br>Joshua's leadership demonstrates the importance of strategic planning and wisdom in achieving God's purposes. Believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance in their endeavors.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_timing.htm">Divine Timing</a></b><br>The victory at Ai underscores the significance of God's timing. After dealing with sin in the camp, Israel is now ready for victory, teaching us the importance of spiritual readiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_obedience.htm">Faith and Obedience</a></b><br>Joshua's actions reflect faith in God's promises and obedience to His commands. Believers are called to trust and obey God, even when His plans seem unconventional.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/overcoming_past_failures.htm">Overcoming Past Failures</a></b><br>The renewed attack on Ai shows that past failures do not define our future. With repentance and reliance on God, we can overcome setbacks.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_leadership.htm">Community and Leadership</a></b><br>The success at Ai required unity and trust in leadership. This highlights the importance of community and following godly leadership in the church.<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/who_were_the_amalekites.htm">What is the historical identity of the Amalekites?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_include_ben_hinnom_in_joshua_15_8.htm">In Joshua 15:8, why does the boundary include the Valley of Ben Hinnom if archaeological evidence suggests a different urban layout for Jerusalem at that time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_hosea_9_15_show_god's_love.htm">In Hosea 9:15, how do we reconcile an 'all-loving' God with the statement that God hates His people in Gilgal?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_jehovah-nissi_mean.htm">What does Jehovah-Nissi mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Made as though they were beaten.</span> "Joshua conquered by yielding. So our Lord Jesus Christ, when He bowed His head and gave up the ghost, seemed as if death had triumphed over Him; but in His resurrection He rallied again, and gave the powers of darkness a total defeat" (Matthew Henry). <span class="cmt_word">By the way of the wilderness.</span> Northwestward, in the direction of the wilderness of Bethel (<a href="/joshua/16-1.htm">Joshua 16:1</a>) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/8-15.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">Joshua</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3091.htm">Strong's 3091: </a> </span><span class="str2">Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל</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">let themselves be beaten back</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּנָּֽגְע֛וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yin·nā·ḡə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5060.htm">Strong's 5060: </a> </span><span class="str2">To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">before them,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(lip̄·nê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural<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">and they fled</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּנֻ֖סוּ</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">toward</span><br /><span class="heb">דֶּ֥רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the wilderness.</span><br /><span class="heb">הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(ham·miḏ·bār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> </span><span class="str2">A pasture, a desert, speech</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/8-15.htm">Joshua 8:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/8-15.htm">OT History: Joshua 8:15 Joshua and all Israel made as if (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/8-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 8:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/8-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 8:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:16" /></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>