Joshua 7:8

Joshua 7:8 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!
• New International Version (NIV)Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?
• English Standard Version (ESV)O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies!
• New King James Version (NKJV)O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies?

Context of Joshua 7:8

6Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground before the ark of the Lord until evening, as did the elders of Israel; they all put dust on their heads. 7“Oh, Lord God,” Joshua said, “why did you ever bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites for our destruction? If only we had been content to remain on the other side of the Jordan! What can I say, Lord, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies? 9When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will you do about your great name?” 10The Lord then said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen facedown?

Joshua 7:8 word by word

בִּ֖י אֲדֹנָ֑י מָ֣ה אֹמַ֔ר אַ֠חֲרֵי אֲשֶׁ֨ר הָפַ֧ךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל עֹ֖רֶף לִפְנֵ֥י אֹיְבָֽיו׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Oבִּיbîy · pleaseH994
• Lordאֲדֹנָי'ădônây · LordH136
• what shall I sayאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
• whenאַחַר'achar · afterH310
• Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• turnethהָפַךְhâphak · to overturnH2015
• their backsעֹ֫רֶף‛ôreph · neckH6203
• beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• their enemiesאֹיֵב'ôyêb 'ôyêb · enemyH341

Cross-references for Joshua 7:8

• Ezra 9:10Now, our God, what can we say in light of this? For we have abandoned the commands
• Habakkuk 2:1I will stand at my guard post and station myself on the lookout tower. I will watch to see what he will say to me and what I should reply about my complaint.
• Romans 3:5But if our unrighteousness highlights God’s righteousness, what are we to say? I am using a human argument: Is God unrighteous to inflict wrath?

Commentaries on Joshua 7:8

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-9Verses 6-9 Joshua's concern for the honour of God, more than even for the fate of Israel, was the language of the Spirit of adoption. He pleaded with God. He laments their defeat, as he feared it would reflect on God's wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness. We cannot at any time urge a better plea than this, Lord, what wilt thou do for thy great name? Let God be glorified in all, and then welcome his whole will.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 8-9Joshua’s fears were realistic. All of Canaan had believed that Israel could not be defeated. However, because the small town of Ai defeated Israel, the Canaanites might think this could happen again. If God allowed the wicked to destroy his people completely, the nations would no longer have a witness. They would not see that God continues to be involved with his world. Your great name: Compare Exodus 32:11–12; Numbers 14:13–19.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 6-96-9. Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth ... before the ark ... he and the elders--It is evident, from those tokens of humiliation and sorrow, that a solemn fast was observed on this occasion. The language of Joshua's prayer is thought by many to savor of human infirmity and to be wanting in that reverence and submission he owed to God. But, although apparently breathing a spirit of bold remonstrance and complaint, it was in reality the…Read the comment

Topics related to Joshua 7:8

• Ai
• Ark
• Intercession
• Prayer

In the dictionaries

• Israel
• Israel, Israelites
• Jacob, Israel
• Folly
• Hide
• Tell
• Wedge
• Achan
• Ai
• Covetousness

Commentaries on Joshua 7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings