Joshua 7 3

Joshua 7:3 kjv

And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labor thither; for they are but few.

Joshua 7:3 nkjv

And they returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people there, for the people of Ai are few."

Joshua 7:3 niv

When they returned to Joshua, they said, "Not all the army will have to go up against Ai. Send two or three thousand men to take it and do not weary the whole army, for only a few people live there."

Joshua 7:3 esv

And they returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few."

Joshua 7:3 nlt

When they returned, they told Joshua, "There's no need for all of us to go up there; it won't take more than two or three thousand men to attack Ai. Since there are so few of them, don't make all our people struggle to go up there."

Joshua 7 verses

Joshua 7 3 Meaning

Joshua 7:3 describes the faulty human assessment by the spies sent to reconnoiter Ai, urging Joshua not to commit the entire Israelite army. Based on their observation of Ai's perceived small size and its inhabitants' few numbers, they recommended dispatching only a small contingent of two to three thousand men. This counsel reflected human confidence and strategic calculation rather than seeking divine guidance, setting the stage for the upcoming defeat due to Israel's unaddressed sin and their forgotten dependence on God's power.

Joshua 7 3 Context

Joshua chapter 7 immediately follows the miraculous victory at Jericho, where God delivered the city into Israel's hands through an unprecedented act of divine power, emphasizing that victory came from Him, not human strength or strategy. Joshua 7:3 occurs after Achan's sin of taking devoted things from Jericho, a transgression unknown to Joshua and the Israelites at this point but one that had already broken God's covenant with Israel and incurred His wrath (Josh 7:1). The spies, buoyed by the Jericho success and possibly underestimating God's requirements for holiness, did not consult God before making their assessment. Their recommendation to send a small force against Ai represents a pivot from God-directed warfare to human-reasoned strategy, leading to a disastrous defeat in Joshua 7:4-5, and highlighting that past victories do not guarantee future success when faith is absent and sin is present.

Joshua 7 3 Word analysis

• So they returned (Hebrew: וַיָּשֻׁבוּ, vayyāšuvu from שׁוּב, shuv): Signifies the completion of their reconnaissance. It's a simple return but laden with consequence, as their report is fatally flawed by human presumption rather than divine insight.
• to Joshua: The spies report directly to their leader, but crucially, Joshua himself, and through him the people, failed to inquire of the Lord. The proper order of consultation (God, then leader) was missed.
• and said to him: Direct counsel given based on their observation.
• 'Do not let all the people go up (אַל־יַעֲלוּ, ’al-ya‘alū - negative imperative of עָלָה, ‘alah, to go up, ascend): The spies' initial advice, born of an arrogant confidence stemming from Jericho's ease. The phrase "go up" indicates both military advance and geographic ascent to the hill-country Ai.
• but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai; (כְּאַלְפַיִם אִישׁ אוֹ כִּשְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים אִישׁ יַעֲלוּ וְיַכּוּ, ke'alpāyim 'ish 'o kishloshét 'alaphīm 'ish ya'alu veyakku - approx. 2k or 3k men ascend and strike): This specific number (2,000-3,000) reflects their estimation of minimal necessary force, displaying hubris. They miscalculated the spiritual barrier imposed by Achan's sin and relied solely on physical strength. The verb yakku (וְיַכּוּ from נָכָה, nakah, to strike/smite) implies an easy victory.
• since those are few (כִּי־מְעַט הֵמָּה, ki-me'aṭ hēmmâ - because they are few): This is the basis of their faulty judgment – the size of Ai's population. They assess by quantity, not by quality of divine support, failing to recognize that numerical advantage is irrelevant without God's presence.
• do not make all the people toil up there' (אַל־תְּיַגַּע שָׁמָּה אֶת־כָּל־הָעָם, ’al-teyaggéa‘ shāmmāh ’eṯ-kol-hā‘ām - do not make the whole people weary/tired there): The Hebrew verb יָגַע (yāga') means "to be weary," "to labor exhaustingly," or "toil." The concern for the people's weariness is ironic, as their presumptuousness leads to a more severe form of "toil"—defeat, loss of life, and spiritual distress for the whole nation.
• "two or three thousand men...since those are few, do not make all the people toil": This phrase highlights human comfort and efficiency as priorities over seeking God's will. It's a stark contrast to the commitment required at Jericho. This also subtly reflects a professional soldier's mentality – economize effort, but misses the supernatural element inherent in Israel's victories. The concern about "toil" implies a practical, but faithless, reasoning that underestimates the seriousness of the task and the hidden spiritual corruption.

Joshua 7 3 Bonus section

The advice given in Joshua 7:3 by the spies demonstrates a classic example of "playing God" – assuming full understanding and control without consulting the divine source of their previous victory. This attitude subtly ignores the divine command that had accompanied their victories, especially the destruction of all things at Jericho (except those specified), including the devoted things Achan took. Their confident, yet misinformed, assessment reveals an unspiritual evaluation of the upcoming conflict. The lack of prayer or divine inquiry from Joshua and the elders before dispatching these few thousand men indicates a quick drift from their reliance on the Ark and the voice of the Lord. The incident at Ai underscores the profound truth that victory for Israel was never about military strategy or numbers but always about God's presence, purity, and power among them.

Joshua 7 3 Commentary

Joshua 7:3 exposes a pivotal moment of human folly and pride in the narrative of Israel's conquest. After the unprecedented, supernatural victory at Jericho, which should have profoundly cemented their reliance on God's power alone, the Israelite spies and Joshua himself appear to have forgotten the lesson. Their counsel is entirely pragmatic, based on superficial observation of Ai's perceived small size. They assume numerical superiority and past success dictate future outcomes, failing to acknowledge that without God's direct involvement and blessing, even the weakest adversary can defeat them. The verse starkly contrasts human strength and wisdom (a "few men can do it, why weary everyone?") with the spiritual reality that Israel's true strength lay solely in their obedient relationship with God. This episode serves as a powerful cautionary tale against overconfidence, self-reliance, and neglecting to seek divine counsel, especially after experiencing great victories. It underscores that God's people remain dependent on His grace and obedience, even after remarkable demonstrations of His power. This hubris and unacknowledged sin (Achan's) collectively paved the way for a devastating, humbling defeat.