Joshua 8 21

Joshua 8:21 kjv

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.

Joshua 8:21 nkjv

Now when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city and that the smoke of the city ascended, they turned back and struck down the men of Ai.

Joshua 8:21 niv

For when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city and that smoke was going up from it, they turned around and attacked the men of Ai.

Joshua 8:21 esv

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city went up, then they turned back and struck down the men of Ai.

Joshua 8:21 nlt

When Joshua and all the other Israelites saw that the ambush had succeeded and that smoke was rising from the town, they turned and attacked the men of Ai.

Joshua 8 verses

Joshua 8 21 Meaning

Joshua 8:21 describes the thorough execution of divine judgment against the inhabitants of Ai by the Israelite army. After successfully ambushing the city and drawing its forces out into the wilderness, Israel completed the systematic annihilation of every resident in the surrounding open country and wilderness where they had been pursued. Upon finishing this complete destruction of the people, the entire Israelite force returned to Ai itself and subjected the city to a similar fate, striking down any remaining elements with the sword, ensuring no one or nothing survived as per God's command.

Joshua 8 21 Context

Joshua 8:21 occurs during the second battle for Ai. Israel had previously suffered a humiliating defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin in taking devoted spoil from Jericho. After Achan's sin was addressed and the camp cleansed, God recommissioned Joshua for the conquest of Ai, providing a specific battle strategy involving an ambush (Josh 8:1-8). The plan was meticulously executed: a main force lured the Ai defenders out, while an ambush force entered the city. Once the Ai forces were drawn away, the ambushing party set the city ablaze, signaling the main force to turn and engage the enemy caught between two Israelite groups. The verse describes the crucial stage when the fleeing Ai forces, now pursued into the open country and wilderness, were utterly eliminated. It marks the successful completion of the direct engagement with Ai's army and paves the way for the total destruction of the city itself. This action directly reflects God's command of herem (devotion to destruction) against the Canaanite nations, which was a judgment on their extreme wickedness and idolatry, as well as a measure to protect Israel's spiritual purity.

Joshua 8 21 Word analysis

• When all Israel (כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל, kol Yisrael): This emphasizes the collective obedience and unified action of the entire nation, contrasting sharply with Achan's individual sin in the previous attempt against Ai. It signifies a restoration of corporate solidarity under God's command.
• had finished killing (כָּלוּ לַהֲרֹג, kālu laharog): The verb כָּלוּ (kalu) means 'to finish', 'to complete', or 'to bring to an end'. Here, it highlights the absolute and total cessation of life. It implies thoroughness and no one remaining alive.
• every inhabitant (כֹּל יוֹשֵׁב, kol yoshev): 'Every' (כול) underscores the complete annihilation, leaving no one alive. 'Inhabitant' refers specifically to those dwelling in the city, but here, it includes those who fled the city as well.
• of Ai (הָעַי, ha’Ay): The specific target city. This demonstrates a focused, divinely sanctioned judgment, not random warfare.
• in the open country, in the wilderness where they had pursued them: This phrase clarifies the scope of the slaughter, extending beyond the city walls to the fleeing survivors. It illustrates the effectiveness of the pursuit and encirclement.
  • open country (בַשָּׂדֶה, ba-sadeh): The agricultural land or fields surrounding the city.
  • wilderness (בַמִּדְבָּר, ba-midbar): The uncultivated, wild area often adjacent to cities, suggesting a far-reaching chase.
  • pursued them (רְדָפוּם, redafum): Indicates active and determined chasing of the fleeing enemies until their destruction was complete.
• and all of them had fallen by the sword, put to death: This is a powerful, repetitive affirmation of the total demise.
  • all of them had fallen (נָפְלוּ כֻלָּם, naflu khullam): Emphasizes that none escaped. The verb 'fall' often signifies death in battle.
  • by the sword (בַחֶרֶב, ba-herev): The primary instrument of the warriors, indicating the manner of their death—violent execution of judgment.
  • put to death (הֻמַתּוּ, humatu): The passive Hophal stem of מוּת (to die) highlights that they were made to die, a direct consequence of Israel's action executing God's will.
• then all Israel returned to Ai: This indicates a deliberate and organized return to the main objective after securing the perimeter. It shows military discipline and adherence to the larger strategy.
• and struck it with the edge of the sword: This signifies the second phase of destruction, specifically directed at the physical city itself and any final remnants. The city was physically assaulted and cleansed. 'Edge of the sword' is a common idiom for comprehensive destruction by military force.

Words-group Analysis:

• "When all Israel had finished killing every inhabitant of Ai in the open country, in the wilderness where they had pursued them, and all of them had fallen by the sword, put to death": This entire clause is a single, powerful statement about the utter, complete, and comprehensive extermination of the human population of Ai. It stresses that no inhabitant, regardless of where they fled or were pursued, survived. This extreme measure was the core of the herem command given by God, illustrating the severity of His judgment against the wicked Canaanite inhabitants and the faithfulness of Israel's renewed obedience. The dual focus on the pursuit (beyond the city walls) and the finality ("fallen... put to death") leaves no ambiguity about the extent of the operation.
• "then all Israel returned to Ai and struck it with the edge of the sword": This forms the second part of the destruction of Ai. Having eradicated the population, the unified Israelite army systematically dealt with the city itself. This final action implies the physical razing or further securing of the city, completing the process of consecrating Ai to destruction. The dual destruction—people first, then the city—underscores the total nature of the 'devoted thing' (herem).

Joshua 8 21 Bonus section

The meticulous detail of the two-pronged destruction – first the inhabitants who were drawn out, then the physical city itself – is a key aspect of this victory that reinforces Israel's strict adherence to God's command for Ai. Unlike Jericho where certain treasures were part of the devoted things not to be touched (except gold/silver for the tabernacle treasury), in Ai, all its inhabitants were to be utterly destroyed, but the livestock and spoil were allowed for Israel (Josh 8:2). This difference demonstrates God's sovereign authority in detailing the 'herem' based on specific contexts. This comprehensive victory, secured through strategic obedience, not only removed a threat but also served as a powerful sign to the remaining Canaanite nations of Israel's divinely backed power, fostering widespread fear as recorded later in Joshua.

Joshua 8 21 Commentary

Joshua 8:21 portrays the ruthless and absolute fulfillment of God's command regarding the city of Ai. This verse is central to understanding the concept of herem – 'devotion to destruction' – applied to Canaanite cities. It was not mere human savagery, but a divinely commanded act of judgment. The extreme thoroughness ("every inhabitant," "all of them had fallen," "put to death") highlights the total nature of this 'ban.' This was God's holy wrath against the deep-seated wickedness and idolatry of the Canaanite nations, which included practices like child sacrifice and pervasive immorality, described in texts like Leviticus 18 and Deuteronomy 12. Such an extreme measure served to purify the land for God's chosen people, ensuring that the pervasive evil of Canaanite religion would not infect Israel (Deut 7:2-6).

The detailed description of the pursuit and destruction "in the open country, in the wilderness" emphasizes that this was not a quick, opportunistic massacre, but a systematic military operation carried out with deliberate precision and zeal. The return to the city to "strike it with the edge of the sword" signifies the complete physical demolition, completing the herem on both the living and the material structures. This absolute obedience of Israel, a stark contrast to their previous failure at Ai due to Achan's partial obedience (Josh 7), underscored their renewed covenant faithfulness and reliance on God's strategic guidance. It demonstrates that the prior defeat was due to their sin, but full obedience, however severe the task, brought victory. From a theological perspective, it illustrates God's sovereign authority over nations, His justice in dealing with egregious sin, and the grave consequences of persistent rebellion against His holiness.