Joshua 7 5

Joshua 7:5 kjv

And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

Joshua 7:5 nkjv

And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six men, for they chased them from before the gate as far as Shebarim, and struck them down on the descent; therefore the hearts of the people melted and became like water.

Joshua 7:5 niv

who killed about thirty-six of them. They chased the Israelites from the city gate as far as the stone quarries and struck them down on the slopes. At this the hearts of the people melted in fear and became like water.

Joshua 7:5 esv

and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people melted and became as water.

Joshua 7:5 nlt

chased the Israelites from the town gate as far as the quarries, and they killed about thirty-six who were retreating down the slope. The Israelites were paralyzed with fear at this turn of events, and their courage melted away.

Joshua 7 verses

Joshua 7 5 Meaning

Joshua 7:5 describes the immediate and devastating outcome of Israel's first encounter with the city of Ai, where the smaller Canaanite force decisively defeated the Israelites. It details the precise number of casualties, the rout of the Israelite army, and the profound psychological impact of this unexpected defeat, leading to widespread demoralization and a complete loss of courage among the people, whose hearts "melted" in fear. This verse powerfully illustrates the consequence of disobedience, as God's favor had momentarily departed from Israel.

Joshua 7 5 Context

Joshua 7:5 follows the miraculous and absolute victory over Jericho (Joshua 6), which served as a powerful display of God's might and faithfulness to Israel. The immediate context of chapter 7, however, marks a dramatic and devastating shift. Unbeknownst to most of Israel, Achan had secretly taken some forbidden items from the spoil of Jericho, violating God's direct command and bringing trespass upon the whole nation (Joshua 6:18-19; 7:1). Consequently, God's presence and active participation in battle against Israel's enemies had withdrawn. When Joshua sent a small contingent (about 3,000 men) to take Ai, assuming an easy victory given Jericho's fall and Ai's relatively small size (implied in Josh 7:3), they were completely routed. Verse 5 is the climax of this defeat, depicting the physical loss and, more importantly, the overwhelming psychological blow to a nation that had previously known only divine victory. This defeat was not merely a military setback but a profound theological crisis, indicating a breakdown in their covenant relationship with God due to unconfessed sin.

Joshua 7 5 Word analysis

• And the men of Ai: ʼAnshê Ay (Hebrew: אַנְשֵׁי עַי). Ai (עַי - Ay) means "heap of ruins" or "ruin." Ironically, the name foreshadows its eventual fate but highlights its momentary unexpected victory. The term "men of Ai" indicates a distinct, perhaps more united or desperate, fighting force than anticipated by Israel. This emphasizes that Israel's defeat came not from overwhelming enemy might but from within, due to sin.
• slew: yakku (Hebrew: יַכּוּ). This verb indicates a decisive striking, inflicting a heavy blow. It highlights the direct, effective violence meted out by the Ai warriors.
• of them: mēhem (Hebrew: מֵהֶם). Specifies the target of the killing was from the Israelite contingent.
• about thirty and six men: kishloshim vāshêsh ›ish (Hebrew: כִּשְׁלֹשִׁים וְשֵׁשׁ אִישׁ). The specificity of "thirty-six" makes the loss tangible and emphasizes the human cost. While not a huge number in absolute terms, for a small initial raiding party of 3,000 men (as sent by Joshua), this represents over 1% casualties, enough to signify a rout, especially when it was utterly unexpected and occurred in battle against an inferior force. It shatters the myth of Israel's invincibility under God, reinforcing that their power stemmed from God's active presence, not their numbers or skill.
• for they chased them: vayi̇rdefûm (Hebrew: וַיִּרְדְּפוּם). The verb "chased" implies pursuit, signifying a full-blown rout where the Israelites were fleeing in disarray, losing control, and being actively pursued rather than an orderly retreat. This highlights the complete defeat and humiliation.
• from before the gate: mippenê hashsha˓ar (Hebrew: מִפְּנֵי הַשַּׁעַר). The "gate" of the city of Ai was a strategic and vulnerable point of defense. For Israel to be chased from the gate implies they had attempted to assault the city directly or were at least positioned there, and were then immediately pushed back. It signals that they could not even hold their ground at the city's entrance.
• even unto Shebarim: ˓ad hashshebārîm (Hebrew: עַד הַשְּׁבָרִים). The term Shebarim (שְׁבָרִים) likely refers to "quarries," "breaches," or "breaks," possibly a topographical feature or a specific locale characterized by rugged, broken ground. Being chased to such a place indicates a sustained, brutal pursuit, far from the city. The brokenness of the terrain could also symbolize the broken morale of the Israelite army.
• and smote them: vayyakûm (Hebrew: וַיַּכּוּם). Again, the verb for "smote" or "struck," emphasizing the active and painful infliction of defeat upon the fleeing Israelites.
• in the going down: bammoreād (Hebrew: בַּמּוֹרָד). This phrase refers to "the descent" or "downward slope." This topographic detail suggests the pursuit continued downhill, making it easier for the attackers to run down their fleeing opponents and harder for the Israelites to gain footing or defend themselves. It compounds the humiliation and difficulty of retreat.
• wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water: vayyimmas lēvav hā˓am vayyehî l<sup>e</sup>mayim (Hebrew: וַיִּמַּס לְבַב הָעָם וַיְהִי לְמָיִם). This powerful double metaphor illustrates absolute fear and despair.
  • "Melted" (vayyimmas): Like a solid dissolving, signifying a complete loss of resolve, courage, and internal strength.
  • "Became as water" (vayyehî l<sup>e</sup>mayim): Water has no shape, no firmness. This indicates an utter lack of stability, backbone, or courage. It describes extreme demoralization and fear, where their spirit had utterly collapsed. This contrasts starkly with how the Canaanites' hearts "melted" before Israel due to God's presence (Josh 2:9, 11); now Israel experiences the same fate from God's absence.

Joshua 7 5 Bonus section

The specific number "thirty and six" (36) is debated among scholars regarding its symbolic or numerical significance beyond a literal count. Some interpret it as a specific, divinely noted amount, while others see it as a relatively small, yet sufficient, number to cause widespread demoralization. However, its exactness highlights that the defeat was measurable and impactful. This single defeat dramatically reversed the previous narrative of fear instilled in the Canaanites by Israel and Yahweh. Instead, the terror of defeat and the absence of divine favor fell upon Israel. The rout at Ai effectively 'levelled the playing field' psychologically, allowing Israel to experience the kind of debilitating fear they had just inflicted upon Jericho, driving home the reality that their covenant obligations and God's holiness were non-negotiable foundations for their very existence and success in the promised land. It prepares the ground for a renewed act of national cleansing and covenant reaffirmation before true victory could be achieved (Joshua 8).

Joshua 7 5 Commentary

Joshua 7:5 provides a stark, painful image of Israel's defeat at Ai, serving as a pivotal moment in the book of Joshua. After the incredible divine victory at Jericho, this seemingly minor engagement against a small town results in a shocking rout and a casualty count, though small, that resonates deeply. The significance lies not in the numbers, but in the theological implication: God's presence and active hand in battle had been withdrawn.

The description of the rout—chased "from before the gate even unto Shebarim" and "smote them in the going down"—highlights the complete disarray and humiliation of the Israelite army. This was not a tactical retreat but an unmitigated flight, marked by continued loss of life. The specific geographical details intensify the vividness of their predicament, trapped and helpless.

Most profoundly, the verse reveals the emotional and spiritual fallout: "the hearts of the people melted, and became as water." This evocative double metaphor captures the depth of their despair and fear. It signifies a profound loss of courage, moral conviction, and confidence in God's continuing protection. Their previous boldness, rooted in divine assurance, completely vanished. This incident immediately teaches that Israel's strength lay not in its military might or strategy, but solely in its faithful obedience to God. When that covenant relationship was breached by Achan's sin, even a small, seemingly insignificant foe could bring them to their knees, exposing their true vulnerability without divine aid. The episode functions as a divine object lesson, emphasizing the grave consequences of corporate sin and the indispensable need for national holiness and absolute dependence on the Lord.

For practical application, this teaches us:

• Unaddressed sin, even of one, can hinder the progress and success of the entire community (e.g., in a church or family context).
• Past victories do not guarantee future success; continuous faithfulness and obedience are crucial for sustained blessing.
• The absence of God's favor due to disobedience can render us utterly helpless against challenges, even minor ones, that we might otherwise overcome with His strength.