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

6Joshua tore his clothes; he and the leaders of Israel lay face down on the ground before the ark of the Lord until evening and threw dirt on their heads. 7Joshua prayed, “O, Master, Lord! Why did you bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites so they could destroy us? If only we had been satisfied to live on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say now that Israel has retreated before its enemies? 9When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will turn against us and destroy the very memory of us from the earth. What will you do to protect your great reputation?” 10The Lord responded to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying there face down?

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 9:10“And now what are we able to say after this, our God? For we have forsaken your commandments
• Habakkuk 2:1I will stand at my watch post; I will remain stationed on the city wall. I will keep watching, so I can see what he says to me and can know how I should answer when he counters my argument.
• Romans 3:5But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is he? (I am speaking in human terms.)

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