Joshua 8 19

Joshua 8:19 kjv

And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.

Joshua 8:19 nkjv

So those in ambush arose quickly out of their place; they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand, and they entered the city and took it, and hurried to set the city on fire.

Joshua 8:19 niv

As soon as he did this, the men in the ambush rose quickly from their position and rushed forward. They entered the city and captured it and quickly set it on fire.

Joshua 8:19 esv

And the men in the ambush rose quickly out of their place, and as soon as he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it. And they hurried to set the city on fire.

Joshua 8:19 nlt

As soon as Joshua gave this signal, all the men in ambush jumped up from their position and poured into the town. They quickly captured it and set it on fire.

Joshua 8 verses

Joshua 8 19 Meaning

Joshua 8:19 describes the precise and rapid execution of a strategic ambush by the Israelites against the city of Ai. As soon as Joshua gave the prearranged signal—stretching out his spear—the hidden ambush force swiftly moved from their position, entered the city, took control, and immediately set it on fire. This act served as both the successful capture of Ai and a crucial signal to the main Israelite army that was feigning retreat, initiating the second phase of Joshua’s divinely ordained battle plan. It signifies God's restoration of Israel's victory through obedience and a renewed focus on His strategy after the previous defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin.

Joshua 8 19 Context

Joshua 8:19 is central to the second, successful conquest of Ai. This victory comes immediately after a significant defeat in Joshua 7, which was a direct result of Achan's disobedience in taking devoted things from Jericho. Chapter 7 emphasizes Israel's failure, God's holiness, and the necessity of national repentance and purification before His continued blessing.

Chapter 8 begins with God reassuring Joshua, commanding him not to fear, and providing a detailed strategy for taking Ai—a military ambush (Josh 8:1-2). This divine strategy stands in stark contrast to the first unapproved and human-reliant assault on Ai. Joshua meticulously follows God's instructions: deploying 30,000 elite warriors for a feigned attack, and setting 5,000 men in ambush to the west of the city. The main force draws the men of Ai out of the city through a pretended retreat (Josh 8:10-17). The verse captures the crucial moment when Joshua, having ascended to a visible position (likely the nearby height, as in v. 18), stretched out his spear (the javelin or 'kidon'), giving the predetermined signal. The fire from the burning city served as an immediate visual confirmation to both the main Israelite army to turn and the men of Ai that their city was captured, demoralizing them and entrapping them between the two Israelite forces. This historical context highlights God's strategic brilliance, His demand for obedience, and His unwavering commitment to fulfilling His covenant promises despite human failure. The utter destruction of Ai, commanded by God, was an act of holy war (herem), eradicating a pagan, idolatrous stronghold as part of God's judgment and purification of the land for His chosen people.

Joshua 8 19 Word analysis

• And the ambush (וְהָאוֹרֵב – wəhā’ôrēv): From אָרַב ('arav) meaning to lie in wait, to ambush. Refers specifically to the 5,000 hidden Israelite soldiers (Josh 8:12). This military tactic implies stealth, surprise, and a well-planned, concealed deployment, directly opposite of the Jericho method, showing God's diverse strategies.
• arose quickly (קָמוּ מַהֵר – qāmū mahēr): Qāmū from קוּם (qûm) means 'stood up, arose'; mahēr (מַהֵר) means 'quickly, speedily, swiftly.' Emphasizes immediate, decisive action. There was no hesitation; once the signal was given, the plan was executed with great alacrity. This swiftness was crucial for the ambush's success.
• out of their place (מִמְּקוֹמָם – mim'm’qôlâm): Indicates their pre-arranged, hidden position, designed for concealment and sudden attack. This implies meticulous preparation and discipline from the Israelite soldiers.
• and they ran (וַיָּרוּצוּ – wayyārūṣū): From רוּץ (rūṣ) meaning 'to run.' Reiterates the swift, energetic movement towards their objective, indicating urgency and a strong sense of purpose.
• as soon as he had stretched out his hand (כְּהוֹשִׁיטוֹ יָדוֹ – k’hōshīṭô yādô): Kəhōshīṭô from יָשַׁט (yāshaṭ) means 'to stretch out'; yādô (יָדוֹ) means 'his hand' (referring to Joshua's hand, specifically holding the javelin from v. 18). This phrase denotes instantaneous, perfect coordination based on a visible command, highlighting Joshua's role as God's chosen leader and the soldiers' absolute obedience.
• and they entered into the city (וַיָּבֹאוּ בָּעִיר – wayyāḇō’ū bā'īr): Wāyāḇō’ū from בּוֹא (bô’) means 'to come, enter.' Signifies the physical breach of the city defenses, made possible because the city was left undefended when Ai's forces pursued Joshua's feigned retreat.
• and took it (וַיִּלְכְּדֻהָ – wayyilkəḏuhā): From לָכַד (lākhaḏ) meaning 'to capture, seize.' Conveys complete and immediate control over the city, the primary objective of the ambush.
• and hasted (וַיְמַהֲרוּ – wayməharū): Again mahēr from מָהַר (māhar) 'to hasten, hurry.' Repetition emphasizes the extreme urgency and rapidity of their actions, underscoring the crucial timing required by the battle plan.
• and set the city on fire (וַיַּצִּיתוּ אֶת הָעִיר בָּאֵשׁ – wayyaṣṣîtū ʾeṯ hā'îr bā'ēš): Wayyaṣṣîtū from יָצַת (yāṣat) meaning 'to kindle, set on fire'; bā’ēš (בָּאֵשׁ) 'with fire.' This final act in the verse fulfills the divine command (Josh 8:8) and served as the visible signal for the rest of the Israelite army and the returning men of Ai, triggering the climax of the battle. The burning symbolized not just military victory but divine judgment and utter destruction (Herem).

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And the ambush arose quickly out of their place": This phrase highlights the element of surprise and precise timing inherent in a well-executed ambush. It signifies the soldiers' disciplined readiness and the effectiveness of Joshua's detailed planning, under divine guidance. The "quickness" here emphasizes the immediacy required by the signal and the urgency of the moment.
• "and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand": This powerfully portrays perfect synchronization between Joshua's command and the soldiers' obedience. Joshua's physical act of stretching his javelin served as the signal given directly from God (v.18), illustrating a spiritual chain of command—God to Joshua, Joshua to the army—resulting in a perfectly coordinated, swift response. It demonstrates a trust in leadership that directly reflects trust in God.
• "and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire": This sequence encapsulates the total and swift success of the ambush. The unhindered entry, rapid capture, and immediate burning underscore the lack of resistance within the city due to the deceptive maneuver. The dual "hasted" and "quickly" emphasis shows the absolute commitment to the strategic timing. The burning was the clear visual signal confirming the victory and prompting the next phase of battle. It also carries the profound theological weight of divine judgment and dedication of the city to the Lord.

Joshua 8 19 Bonus section

The narrative of Ai's fall, encapsulated in Josh 8:19, subtly teaches the importance of psychological warfare in divine strategy. By drawing the entire population out, leaving the city defenseless, and then displaying the burning city, Ai's fighting spirit was completely broken, demoralizing them and trapping them between the two Israelite forces. This psychological impact highlights God's holistic approach to victory, encompassing physical, strategic, and mental elements.

Furthermore, Joshua's act of holding out his spear until all the inhabitants of Ai were utterly destroyed (Josh 8:26) is a powerful symbol of sustained obedience and unwavering resolve in fulfilling God's complete command. It’s not just about starting right, but persevering until God's purpose is fully accomplished. This visual continuity from verse 19 to 26 signifies that God’s instructions demand full execution, leaving no room for half-measures in carrying out His divine justice and purposes.

Joshua 8 19 Commentary

Joshua 8:19 is a vivid account of divine strategy meeting human obedience, leading to decisive victory. Following the humbling defeat at Ai due to sin (Joshua 7), this verse represents God's renewed favor and the restoration of Israel's martial success through adherence to His explicit instructions. Unlike Jericho's miraculous fall, the taking of Ai employs a military tactic – an ambush – demonstrating God's diverse ways of delivering victory, often integrating human planning and effort within His sovereign will.

The speed and precision ('arose quickly,' 'ran,' 'hasted') are paramount. They underscore the discipline of the Israelite forces and the effectiveness of Joshua's leadership, but more importantly, they highlight the divine timing and enablement. Joshua's outstretched hand, an immediate command directly from God, underscores the necessity of instantaneous obedience for God's plans to unfold successfully. The act of setting the city on fire was not merely a military tactic to signal success, but a deeply significant act of "herem" (holy war), commanded by God to purge the land of its idolatrous corruption. This symbolized God's judgment against the wickedness of Canaan and consecrated the land to Israel, reinforcing the covenant promise.

Practically, this verse teaches that while sin can cause immediate setbacks and defeats (Ai's first fall), genuine repentance and a return to God's ordained path bring restoration and victory. It illustrates the critical link between divine guidance (God's detailed plan for the ambush), human obedience (Joshua's precise execution and the army's swift response), and ultimate triumph. It's a testament that true victory in God's will is found not in human strength or ingenuity alone, but in diligent submission to His strategic wisdom, however unexpected or complex it may appear. The fire also serves as a poignant reminder that sin brings destruction, and God, in His righteousness, judges wickedness severely.