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And when they come out against us just as before, we shall flee before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And I, and all the people that <i>are</i> with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Then I and all the people who <i>are</i> with me will approach the city; and it will come about, when they come out against us as at the first, that we shall flee before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out to meet us as <i>they did</i> the first <i>time,</i> we will flee before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out to meet us as at the first, we will flee before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And it will come about when they come out to meet us as at the first, that we will flee before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then I and all the people who are with me will come near the city. And it will be that when they come out to meet us as at the first, we will flee before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out to meet us [for battle] as [they did] the first time, we will run away from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city. And it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I'll approach the city with the rest of the troops. When they come out to attack us as they did the first time, we will run away from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />My men and I will approach the city. When the men of Ai come out against us, we will turn and run, just as we did the first time. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />I and all of the army with me will advance upon the city. When they come out after us like they did before, we'll run away from them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I and all the troops who are with me will approach the city. When they come out to fight us like before, we will retreat from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />I, and all the people who are with me, will approach to the city. It shall happen, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach to the city: and it shall come to pass when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. It shall happen, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and I and all the people who [are] with me draw near to the city, and it has come to pass, when they come out to meet us as at the first, and we have fled before them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and I and all the people who are with me draw near unto the city, and it hath come to pass when they come out to meet us as at the first, and we have fled before them,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I and all the people that are with me will draw near to the city: and it was when they shall come forth to our meeting as at the first, and we fled before them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But I and the rest of the multitude which is with me; will approach on the contrary side against the city. And when they shall come out against us, we will flee, and turn our backs, as we did before: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But I and the remainder of the multitude that is with me will approach from the opposite side of the city. And when they come out against us, we will flee and turn our backs, just as we did before,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The rest of the people and I will come up to the city, and when they make a sortie against us as they did the last time, we will flee from them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. When they come out against us, as before, we shall flee from them.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And I and the men that are with me will approach the city; and it shall come to pass, when they first come out against us, we will flee before them;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And I and people that is with me shall come to the city and when they have come out to meet us, as at the first, behold we flee from before them<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city; and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Land I and all with me will draw near to the city: and it shall come to pass when the inhabitants of Gai shall come forth to meet us, as before, that we will flee from before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/8-5.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=1752" 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">4</span>with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/589.htm" title="589: wa·’ă·nî (Conj-w:: Pro-1cs) -- I. Contracted from 'anokiy; I.">Then I</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/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the troops</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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tî (Prep:: 1cs) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with me</a> <a href="/hebrew/7126.htm" title="7126: niq·raḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-1cp) -- To come near, approach. A primitive root; to approach for whatever purpose.">will advance</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></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.">on the city.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: wə·hā·yāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">When</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: yê·ṣə·’ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">they come out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: liq·rā·ṯê·nū (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf:: 1cp) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner.">against us</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/7223.htm" title="7223: bā·ri·šō·nāh (Prep-b, Art:: Adj-fs) -- Former, first, chief. Or riishon; from ri'shah; first, in place, time or rank.">they did the first time,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: wə·nas·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cp) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">we will flee</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.">from them.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>They will pursue us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, ‘The Israelites are running away from us as they did before.’ So as we flee from them,…<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/6-2.htm">Joshua 6:2-5</a></span><br />And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. / March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. / Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-29.htm">Judges 20:29-30</a></span><br />So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah. / On the third day the Israelites went up against the Benjamites and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as they had done before.<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/7-12.htm">2 Kings 7:12</a></span><br />So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’”<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="/exodus/17-9.htm">Exodus 17:9-13</a></span><br />So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.” / Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. / As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/31-3.htm">Numbers 31:3-5</a></span><br />So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them. / Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.” / So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-1.htm">Deuteronomy 20:1-4</a></span><br />When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. / When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, / saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a></span><br />Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/20-29.htm">1 Kings 20:29-30</a></span><br />For seven days the armies camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle ensued, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans—a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day. / The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a></span><br />Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/14-31.htm">Luke 14:31-32</a></span><br />Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-37.htm">Romans 8:37</a></span><br />No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/10-3.htm">2 Corinthians 10:3-4</a></span><br />For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/6-10.htm">Ephesians 6:10-11</a></span><br />Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach to the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,</p><p class="hdg">as at</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/7-5.htm">Joshua 7:5</a></b></br> And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them <i>from</i> before the gate <i>even</i> unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.</p><p class="hdg">that we will</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/20-31.htm">Judges 20:31-33</a></b></br> And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, <i>and</i> were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, <i>and</i> kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/10-16.htm">Matthew 10:16</a></b></br> Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/6-7.htm">Advance</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/31-14.htm">Approach</a> <a href="/joshua/8-4.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/7-14.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/joshua/2-16.htm">Meet</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/judges/4-15.htm">Advance</a> <a href="/judges/19-13.htm">Approach</a> <a href="/joshua/8-6.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/8-26.htm">Draw</a> <a href="/joshua/8-22.htm">Meet</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>Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city.</b><br>This phrase indicates a strategic military maneuver led by Joshua. The context is the battle against Ai, following the initial defeat due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7). Joshua's leadership is crucial, as he follows God's renewed instructions for victory. The phrase "advance on the city" suggests a direct approach, which is part of a larger ambush strategy. This reflects the importance of obedience to divine guidance in achieving success. The city of Ai, located near Bethel, was a significant Canaanite stronghold, and its capture was vital for Israel's conquest of the Promised Land.<p><b>When they come out against us as they did the first time,</b><br>This refers to the previous encounter with Ai, where the Israelites were defeated (<a href="/joshua/7-4.htm">Joshua 7:4-5</a>). The phrase highlights the expectation of a similar response from the men of Ai, who would be confident after their initial victory. This expectation is crucial for the success of Joshua's ambush plan. The historical context shows that ancient warfare often involved psychological tactics, and the Israelites' previous defeat would have emboldened Ai's defenders. This also demonstrates the cyclical nature of Israel's battles, where past failures are used to set up future victories.<p><b>we will flee from them.</b><br>The tactic of feigned retreat is a classic military strategy used to draw the enemy out of a fortified position. By pretending to flee, Joshua and his troops aim to lure the men of Ai away from the city, leaving it vulnerable to the ambush set by the rest of the Israelite forces. This strategy requires precise timing and coordination, reflecting Joshua's leadership and the discipline of his troops. Theologically, this can be seen as a test of faith and obedience, as the Israelites must trust in God's plan despite the appearance of retreat. This tactic also foreshadows the ultimate victory of God's people, where apparent defeat is turned into triumph, a theme seen throughout Scripture and fulfilled in the victory of Christ 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 Israel, chosen by God to succeed Moses and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in this passage, orchestrating the military strategy against Ai.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_troops.htm">The Troops</a></b><br>The Israelite soldiers who are under Joshua's command. They play a crucial role in executing the strategy to capture Ai.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ai.htm">Ai</a></b><br>A Canaanite city that the Israelites are attempting to conquer. It represents a significant challenge due to a previous defeat.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_men_of_ai.htm">The Men of Ai</a></b><br>The defenders of the city who previously defeated the Israelites. They are expected to react similarly to the first encounter.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_strategy.htm">The Strategy</a></b><br>A tactical plan involving a feigned retreat to draw the men of Ai out of the city, allowing the Israelites to capture it.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/strategic_obedience.htm">Strategic Obedience</a></b><br>Joshua's plan demonstrates the importance of following God's guidance in our endeavors. We should seek divine wisdom in our strategies, whether in spiritual battles or daily decisions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_past_mistakes.htm">Learning from Past Mistakes</a></b><br>The Israelites' previous defeat at Ai teaches us to learn from our failures. We should examine our lives for areas of disobedience or sin that may hinder our success.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faith_and_action.htm">Faith and Action</a></b><br>Joshua's leadership shows the balance between faith in God's promises and taking decisive action. We are called to trust God while actively participating in His plans.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_unity.htm">The Power of Unity</a></b><br>The success of the strategy depended on the unity and cooperation of the troops. In our Christian walk, unity with fellow believers strengthens our efforts and witness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_battle.htm">God's Sovereignty in Battle</a></b><br>The passage reminds us that ultimate victory comes from the Lord. We should rely on His sovereignty and not solely on human strength or wisdom.<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/augustus_caesar's_biblical_role.htm">What is Ai's significance in the Bible?</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_did_the_forest_'devour'_more_troops.htm">How can the forest 'devour' more troops than swords (2 Samuel 18:8), and is there any historical or natural explanation for such a phenomenon?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/judges_20_29-34__historical_strategy_or_edit.htm">Judges 20:29-34 - Does the described ambush and subsequent slaughter align with known military strategies from this period, or does it reflect later editorial insertions?</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 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">We will flee before them.</span> A common expedient of a sagacious general when contending with undisciplined troops is a strong position. Many instances will occur to the student of history, and among others the celebrated feigned flight of William the Conqueror at Hastings. St. Augustine doubts whether this stratagem were lawful. Cajetan and the Jesuit commentators reply that it was so "quia mendacium non tam facile committitur factis, quam verbis" (Cornelius a Lapide). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/8-5.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">Then I</span><br /><span class="heb">וַאֲנִ֗י</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_589.htm">Strong's 589: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</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">the troops</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָם֙</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with me</span><br /><span class="heb">אִתִּ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(’it·tî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will advance</span><br /><span class="heb">נִקְרַ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(niq·raḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7126.htm">Strong's 7126: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the city.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִ֑יר</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">When</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they come out</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵצְא֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yê·ṣə·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine 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">against us</span><br /><span class="heb">לִקְרָאתֵ֙נוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(liq·rā·ṯê·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7125.htm">Strong's 7125: </a> </span><span class="str2">Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way </span><br /><br /><span class="word">as</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(ka·’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | 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">they did the first time,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(bā·ri·šō·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7223.htm">Strong's 7223: </a> </span><span class="str2">First, in place, time, rank</span><br /><br /><span class="word">we will flee</span><br /><span class="heb">וְנַ֖סְנוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·nas·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common 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">from them.</span><br /><span class="heb">לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃</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 /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/8-5.htm">OT History: Joshua 8:5 I and all the people who (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/8-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 8:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/8-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 8:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:6" /></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>