Joshua 8:15

Joshua 8:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
• New International Version (NIV)Joshua and all Israel let themselves be driven back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.
• English Standard Version (ESV)And Joshua and all Israel pretended to be beaten before them and fled in the direction of the wilderness.
• New King James Version (NKJV)And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.

Context of Joshua 8:15

13The army was in position – the main army north of the city and the rear guard west of the city. That night Joshua went into the middle of the valley. 14When the king of Ai saw Israel, he and his whole army quickly got up the next day and went out to fight Israel at the meeting place near the Arabah. But he did not realize men were hiding behind the city. Joshua and all Israel pretended to be defeated by them and they retreated along the way to the desert. 16All the reinforcements in Ai were ordered to chase them; they chased Joshua and were lured away from the city. 17No men were left in Ai or Bethel; they all went out after Israel. They left the city wide open and chased Israel.

Joshua 8:15 word by word

וַיִּנָּֽגְע֛וּ יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיָּנֻ֖סוּ דֶּ֥רֶךְ הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And Joshuaיְהוֹשׁוּעַyehôshûa‛ yehôshûa‛ · JoshuaH3091
• and all Israelיִשְׂרָאֵלyiώrâ'êl · IsraelH3478
• made as if they were beatenנָגַעnâga‛ · to touchH5060
• beforeפָּנֶהpânîym · face: beforeH6440
• them, and fledנוּסnûs · to fleeH5127
• by the wayדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: directionH1870
• of the wildernessמִדְבָּרmidbâr · wildernessH4057

Cross-references for Joshua 8:15

• Joshua 18:12Their northern border started at the Jordan, went up to the slope of Jericho on the north, ascended westward to the hill country, and extended to the desert of Beth Aven.

Commentaries on Joshua 8:15

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3-22Verses 3-22 Observe Joshua's conduct and prudence. Those that would maintain their spiritual conflicts must not love their ease. Probably he went into the valley alone, to pray to God for a blessing, and he did not seek in vain. He never drew back till the work was done. Those that have stretched out their hands against their spiritual enemies, must never draw them back.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 15Joshua and the Israelite army ran away like they did in the first attack (7:4–5).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 15-1715-17. Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them--the pretended flight in the direction of the wilderness; that is, southeast, into the Ghor, the desert valley of the Jordan, decoyed all the inhabitants of Ai out of the city, while the people of Beth-el hastened to participate in the expected victory. It is supposed by some, from "the city," and not "cities," being spoken of, that the effective force of Beth-el had been concentrated in…Read the comment

Topics related to Joshua 8:15

• Ambush
• Armies
• Strategy

In the dictionaries

• Israel
• Joshua
• Israel, Israelites
• Jacob, Israel
• Ai
• Ambush
• Heap
• Raise
• Wait
• Exodus, the Book of

Commentaries on Joshua 8

• 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
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings