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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 8:20 When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/8-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/06_Jos_08_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 8:20 - The Conquest of Ai" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. 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For the Israelites who had fled in the direction of the wilderness now turned on their pursuers. <a href="/esv/joshua/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> So when the men of Ai looked back, behold, the smoke of the city went up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that, for the people who fled to the wilderness turned back against the pursuers. <a href="/bsb/joshua/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers. <a href="/kjv/joshua/8.htm">King James Bible</a> And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. <a href="/nkjv/joshua/8.htm">New King James Version</a> And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven. So they had no power to flee this way or that way, and the people who had fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers. <a href="/nasb_/joshua/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers. <a href="/nasb/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers. <a href="/nasb77/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers. <a href="/lsb/joshua/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Then the men of Ai turned back and looked, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers. <a href="/amp/joshua/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city was ascending toward the sky, and they had no opportunity to run this way or that way. Then the people who had been running to the wilderness turned back toward the pursuers. <a href="/csb/joshua/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> The men of Ai turned and looked back, and smoke from the city was rising to the sky! They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers. <a href="/hcsb/joshua/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> The men of Ai turned and looked back, and smoke from the city was rising to the sky! They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers. <a href="/asv/joshua/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. <a href="/erv/joshua/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. <a href="/gwt/joshua/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When the men of Ai looked back, they could see the city going up in smoke. They had no place to go, since the Israelites, who had been running toward the desert, had now turned back on them. <a href="/gnt/joshua/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> When the men of Ai looked back, they saw the smoke rising to the sky. There was no way for them to escape, because the Israelites who had run toward the barren country now turned around to attack them. <a href="/isv/joshua/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Then the men of Ai looked back behind them—and all of a sudden!—smoke from the city was rising into the sky. They were unable to run in any direction, because the Israelis who had fled toward the wilderness had turned around to attack their pursuers. <a href="/msb/joshua/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers. <a href="/net/joshua/8.htm">NET Bible</a> When the men of Ai turned around, they saw the smoke from the city ascending into the sky and were so shocked they were unable to flee in any direction. In the meantime the men who were retreating to the desert turned against their pursuers. <a href="/nheb/joshua/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and look, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way. The people who fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers. <a href="/wbt/joshua/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. <a href="/web/joshua/8.htm">World English Bible</a> When the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way. The people who fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joshua/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And the men of Ai look behind them, and see, and behold, the smoke of the city has gone up to the heavens, and there has not been power in them to flee here and there—and the people who are fleeing to the wilderness have turned against the pursuer— <a href="/ylt/joshua/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And the men of Ai look behind them, and see, and lo, the smoke of the city hath gone up unto the heavens, and there hath not been in them power to flee hither and thither -- and the people who are fleeing to the wilderness have turned against the pursuer, -- <a href="/slt/joshua/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the men of Ai will turn back behind them and will see, and behold, the smoke of the city went up to the heavens, and there was not with them hands to flee hither and thither: and the people having fled, turned back to the pursuers.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joshua/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And the men of the city, that pursued after Josue, looking back and seeing the smoke of the city rise up to heaven, had no more power to flee this way or that way: especially as they that had counterfeited flight, end were going toward the wilderness, turned back most valiantly against them that pursued. <a href="/cpdv/joshua/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Now the men of the city who were pursuing Joshua, looking back and seeing the smoke of the city rising up even to heaven, were no longer able to flee in one direction or another, especially since those who had pretended to flee, and who were heading toward the wilderness, had turned back very strongly against those who were pursuing them. <a href="/nabre/joshua/8.htm">New American Bible</a> By the time the army of Ai looked back, the smoke from the city was going up to the heavens. Escape in any direction was impossible, because the Israelites retreating toward the wilderness now turned on their pursuers; <a href="/nrsvce/joshua/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> So when the men of Ai looked back, the smoke of the city was rising to the sky. They had no power to flee this way or that, for the people who fled to the wilderness turned back against the pursuers.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joshua/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw the smoke of their city going up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way; and the people of Israel that fled to the wilderness turned back upon their pursuers. <a href="/hpbt/joshua/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And the men of Ai turned their back and they saw the smoke of their city ascending unto Heaven, and they could not flee here or there, and the people of Israel who had fled into the wilderness turned back against its pursuers<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joshua/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way; and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. <a href="/sep/joshua/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And when the inhabitants of Gai looked round behind them, then they saw the smoke going up out of the city to heaven, and they were no longer able to flee this way or that way. <a href="/parallel/joshua/8-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=1913" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/joshua/8.htm">The Conquest of Ai</a> …19and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire. 20<a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">When the men</a> <a href="/hebrew/5857.htm" title="5857: hā·‘ay (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- A Canaanite city. Or uaya((Neh. 11:31); or eayath (Isaiah 10:28); for iy; Ai, Aja or Ajath, a place in Palestine.">of Ai</a> <a href="/hebrew/6437.htm" title="6437: way·yip̄·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To turn. A primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. Appear, look, etc.">turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: way·yir·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">and looked</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: wə·hin·nêh (Conj-w:: Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!"></a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">back,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6227.htm" title="6227: ‘ă·šan (N-msc) -- Smoke. From ashan; smoke, literally or figuratively.">the smoke</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.">of the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ā·lāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">was rising</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·may·māh (Art:: N-mp:: 3fs) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">into the sky.</a> <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.">They could not</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-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/ḇā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3027.htm" title="3027: yā·ḏa·yim (N-fd) -- Hand (indicating power, means, direction, etc.)"></a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: lā·nūs (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">escape</a> <a href="/hebrew/2008.htm" title="2008: hên·nāh (Adv) -- Hither. From hen; hither or thither.">in any direction,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2008.htm" title="2008: wā·hên·nāh (Conj-w:: Adv) -- Hither. From hen; hither or thither."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: wə·hā·‘ām (Conj-w, Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">and the troops</a> <a href="/hebrew/5127.htm" title="5127: han·nās (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To flee, escape. A primitive root; to flit, i.e. Vanish away.">who had fled</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.">to the wilderness</a> <a href="/hebrew/2015.htm" title="2015: neh·paḵ (V-Nifal-Perf-3ms) -- To turn, overturn. A primitive root; to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert."></a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7291.htm" title="7291: hā·rō·w·ḏêp̄ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To pursue, chase, persecute. A primitive root; to run after (of time) gone by).">now became the pursuers.</a> 21When Joshua and all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and struck down the men of Ai.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/exodus/14-24.htm">Exodus 14:24-25</a> At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. / He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!” <a href="/judges/20-36.htm">Judges 20:36-41</a> 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, ... <a href="/2_kings/3-22.htm">2 Kings 3:22-23</a> When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way. / “This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!” <a href="/2_samuel/5-24.htm">2 Samuel 5:24</a> 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.” <a href="/isaiah/13-6.htm">Isaiah 13:6-8</a> Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. / Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt. / Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear. <a href="/jeremiah/51-30.htm">Jeremiah 51:30-32</a> The warriors of Babylon have stopped fighting; they sit in their strongholds. Their strength is exhausted; they have become like women. Babylon’s homes have been set ablaze, the bars of her gates are broken. / One courier races to meet another, and messenger follows messenger, to announce to the king of Babylon that his city has been captured from end to end. / The fords have been seized, the marshes set on fire, and the soldiers are terrified.” <a href="/ezekiel/21-22.htm">Ezekiel 21:22</a> 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. <a href="/1_samuel/14-16.htm">1 Samuel 14:16</a> Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, <a href="/2_kings/19-35.htm">2 Kings 19:35</a> 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! <a href="/isaiah/37-36.htm">Isaiah 37:36</a> 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! <a href="/revelation/18-9.htm">Revelation 18:9-10</a> Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. / In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” <a href="/matthew/24-30.htm">Matthew 24:30</a> At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. <a href="/luke/21-25.htm">Luke 21:25-27</a> There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. / Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. / At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. <a href="/revelation/6-15.htm">Revelation 6:15-17</a> Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3</a> While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers.the smoke<a href="/genesis/19-28.htm">Genesis 19:28</a> And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.<a href="/isaiah/34-10.htm">Isaiah 34:10</a> It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.<a href="/revelation/18-9.htm">Revelation 18:9</a> And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,and they had<a href="/job/11-20.htm">Job 11:20</a> But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.<a href="/psalms/48-5.htm">Psalm 48:5,6</a> They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away… <a href="/psalms/76-5.htm">Psalm 76:5</a> The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.power [heb] hand <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/8-18.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-3.htm">Ascended</a> <a href="/joshua/8-19.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/2-11.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/34-12.htm">Power</a> <a href="/joshua/2-22.htm">Pursuers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-20.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/joshua/7-26.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/joshua/8-15.htm">Way</a> <a href="/joshua/8-15.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/8-21.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/joshua/8-21.htm">Ascended</a> <a href="/joshua/8-21.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/10-11.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/joshua/14-11.htm">Power</a> <a href="/nehemiah/9-11.htm">Pursuers</a> <a href="/joshua/8-21.htm">Smoke</a> <a href="/joshua/8-21.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/joshua/9-13.htm">Way</a> <a href="/joshua/8-24.htm">Wilderness</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 8</div>1. <a href="/joshua/8-1.htm">God encourages Joshua</a> 3. <a href="/joshua/8-3.htm">The plan whereby Ai was taken</a> 29. <a href="/joshua/8-29.htm">The king thereof is hanged</a> 30. <a href="/joshua/8-30.htm">Joshua builds an altar</a> 32. <a href="/joshua/8-32.htm">writes the law on stones</a> 33. <a href="/joshua/8-33.htm">and pronounces the blessings and curses</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>When the men of Ai turned and looked back This phrase highlights a pivotal moment in the battle strategy orchestrated by Joshua. The men of Ai, confident in their initial pursuit of the Israelites, are caught off guard. This turning back signifies a realization of their vulnerability. Biblically, this moment echoes the theme of divine intervention and strategic wisdom granted to Israel, reminiscent of other instances where God confounds Israel's enemies, such as in <a href="/exodus/14-24.htm">Exodus 14:24-25</a> during the crossing of the Red Sea.the smoke of the city was rising into the sky The rising smoke serves as a signal of the successful ambush and destruction of Ai, fulfilling God's promise of victory. This imagery of smoke is often associated with divine judgment and presence, as seen in <a href="/genesis/19-28.htm">Genesis 19:28</a> with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Archaeologically, the site of Ai has been debated, but the narrative underscores the completeness of the conquest, a common theme in ancient Near Eastern warfare accounts.They could not escape in any direction This phrase emphasizes the totality of the trap set by Joshua. The men of Ai find themselves surrounded, illustrating the completeness of God's deliverance for Israel. This mirrors the fate of the Egyptians in <a href="/exodus/14-27.htm">Exodus 14:27-28</a>, where they were similarly trapped and defeated. Theologically, it underscores the futility of opposing God's plans and the assurance of His promises to His people.and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers The strategic retreat by the Israelites was a ruse, drawing Ai's forces away from the city. This turning back signifies the reversal of fortunes, a common biblical motif where God turns the plans of the wicked against them, as seen in <a href="/esther/9.htm">Esther 9:1</a>. The wilderness, often a place of testing and encounter with God, here becomes the staging ground for victory. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of God using unexpected means and places to achieve His purposes, foreshadowing the ultimate victory through Christ, who often turned societal expectations upside down.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a> The leader of the Israelites, who succeeded Moses and led the people into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. 2. <a href="/topical/a/ai.htm">Ai</a> A Canaanite city that the Israelites attacked and eventually conquered. The initial defeat at Ai was due to Achan's sin, but this passage describes the successful second attempt. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God, chosen to inherit the Promised Land. They are executing God's judgment on the Canaanite cities as part of their divine mandate. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_men_of_ai.htm">The Men of Ai</a> The defenders of the city of Ai, who initially repelled the Israelites but were ultimately defeated due to a strategic ambush. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_ambush.htm">The Ambush</a> A military tactic used by Joshua and the Israelites to deceive and defeat the men of Ai, involving a feigned retreat and a surprise attack.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_obedience.htm">The Importance of Obedience</a> The initial defeat at Ai was due to disobedience. Obedience to God is crucial for success in our spiritual battles. <a href="/topical/g/god's_strategic_wisdom.htm">God's Strategic Wisdom</a> Just as God provided Joshua with a strategy for victory, He offers us wisdom and guidance in our daily lives. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_repentance_and_restoration.htm">The Power of Repentance and Restoration</a> After dealing with Achan's sin, the Israelites were restored and able to achieve victory. Repentance restores our relationship with God. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a> The Israelites had to wait for God's instruction before attacking Ai again. Trusting in God's timing is essential for our spiritual journey. <a href="/topical/v/victory_through_faith.htm">Victory Through Faith</a> The Israelites' victory at Ai was a result of faith in God's promises. Our faith in Christ assures us of victory over life's challenges.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 8</a> <a href="/q/where's_proof_of_joshua's_refuge_cities.htm">Where is the archaeological evidence confirming the six cities of refuge mentioned in Joshua 20:7-8?</a> <a href="/q/where's_the_evidence_of_ai's_destruction.htm">Where is the archaeological evidence supporting the complete destruction of Ai (Joshua 8:28)?</a> <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> <a href="/q/what_are_key_events_in_joshua's_life.htm">What are key events in Joshua's life?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 20. - And they had no power. Literally, no hands. Our version here follows the Arabic, Syriac, and Chaldee versions. The LXX. and Vulgate render no direction in which to fly. But in this case לָהֶם would seem preferable to בָהֶם. The Vulgate translates the last clause of the verse, "Praesertim cum hi, qui simulaverint fugam... fortissime restitissent." They could not flee back to the city, for it was in flames. They could not advance northward, because the Israelites had faced about and were coming to meet them. To flee in any other direction would be to cut off the last hope of saving the city. For יָד in the sense of side or direction, however, see <a href="/exodus/2-5.htm">Exodus 2:5</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/2-37.htm">Deuteronomy 2:37</a>, and especially the dual, as here, in <a href="/genesis/34-21.htm">Genesis 34:21</a>; <a href="/isaiah/33-21.htm">Isaiah 33:21</a>. <a href="/commentaries/joshua/8-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When the men אַנְשֵׁי֩ (’an·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person of Ai הָעַ֨י (hā·‘ay) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5857.htm">Strong's 5857: </a> Ai -- a Canaanite city turned וַיִּפְנ֣וּ (way·yip̄·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6437.htm">Strong's 6437: </a> To turn, to face, appear, look and looked וַיִּרְא֗וּ (way·yir·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see back, אַחֲרֵיהֶ֜ם (’a·ḥă·rê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part the smoke עֲשַׁ֤ן (‘ă·šan) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6227.htm">Strong's 6227: </a> Smoke of the city הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement was rising עָלָ֜ה (‘ā·lāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> To ascend, in, actively to the sky. הַשָּׁמַ֔יְמָה (haš·šā·may·māh) Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky They could not וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no escape לָנ֖וּס (lā·nūs) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> To flit, vanish away in any direction, הֵ֣נָּה (hên·nāh) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2008.htm">Strong's 2008: </a> Hither, thither and the troops וְהָעָם֙ (wə·hā·‘ām) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock who had fled הַנָּ֣ס (han·nās) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5127.htm">Strong's 5127: </a> To flit, vanish away to the wilderness הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר (ham·miḏ·bār) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4057.htm">Strong's 4057: </a> A pasture, a desert, speech now became the pursuers. הָרוֹדֵֽף׃ (hā·rō·w·ḏêp̄) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7291.htm">Strong's 7291: </a> To pursue, chase, persecute <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joshua/8-20.htm">Joshua 8:20 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joshua/8-20.htm">OT History: Joshua 8:20 When the men of Ai looked behind (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/8-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 8:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/8-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 8:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:21" /></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>