Joshua 8 26

Joshua 8:26 kjv

For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.

Joshua 8:26 nkjv

For Joshua did not draw back his hand, with which he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.

Joshua 8:26 niv

For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin until he had destroyed all who lived in Ai.

Joshua 8:26 esv

But Joshua did not draw back his hand with which he stretched out the javelin until he had devoted all the inhabitants of Ai to destruction.

Joshua 8:26 nlt

For Joshua kept holding out his spear until everyone who had lived in Ai was completely destroyed.

Joshua 8 verses

Joshua 8 26 Meaning

Joshua chapter 8, verse 26 describes Joshua's unwavering posture during the battle for Ai: he did not lower his hand, which held the stretched-out spear, until the Israelite army had completely annihilated all the inhabitants of Ai. This action symbolized the ongoing divine command for judgment, serving as a constant signal for the Israelite forces to persist in the battle until the task of utterly destroying the city and its people, as ordained by God, was fully accomplished.

Joshua 8 26 Context

Joshua 8:26 is found within the narrative of Israel's conquest of Ai, a significant event following their humiliating defeat at the same city in chapter 7. After the sin of Achan was dealt with, God restored His favor upon Israel and provided Joshua with a detailed strategy for capturing Ai (Josh 8:1-2). This verse specifically highlights Joshua's sustained obedience and his active role in executing God's judgment. God had commanded Joshua in verse 18: "Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand." Joshua's maintained posture with the spear served as a crucial signal for the ambush forces hidden behind the city to attack and for the main Israelite army to press the battle until complete victory and utter destruction were achieved. This act visually underscores the principle of 'cherem' (devotion to destruction)—a divinely ordained act of judgment against wicked nations, not mere conquest for plunder, ensuring that God alone received the "firstfruits" or judgment of these pagan strongholds, leaving no room for idolatry to re-enter Israel.

Joshua 8 26 Word analysis

• For Joshua drew not his hand back

  • Joshua (וְיֹשֻׁעַ, *və·yo·šu·a'): The leader of Israel, whose name means "Yahweh is salvation." His actions here underscore his divinely appointed role as God's instrument for leading the conquest and executing God's commands. This demonstrates his complete obedience to God, which was central to Israel's success.
  • drew not back (לֹא הֵשִׁיב, lo he·šib): Literally "did not cause to return." From the Hebrew root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to return, turn back." This emphasizes Joshua's unwavering resolve and the continuous, unbroken nature of the action. It implies perseverance and steadfastness until the mission's absolute completion.
  • his hand (יָדוֹ, ya·do): יד (yad), "hand." Symbolizes strength, power, authority, and active leadership. The uplifted hand indicates not just physical action but also spiritual resolve and an outward sign of command, mirroring God's empowering presence with Joshua.

• wherewith he stretched out the spear,

  • stretched out (אֲשֶׁר נָטָה, a·šer na·ṭah): From the root נָטָה (natah), meaning "to stretch out, extend, incline." This highlights the deliberate and purposeful nature of the gesture. It wasn't an accidental position but a consciously maintained posture for a specific duration and purpose, as commanded by God.
  • the spear (בַּכִּידוֹן, bak·ki·ḏōn): כִּידוֹן (kidon), "javelin" or "short spear." In Joshua 8:18, it is specifically referred to as the object Joshua was to extend. It served as a visible signal to the ambushing Israelites, signifying the duration of the 'cherem' battle until total victory. It's a symbolic marker of divine judgment and command being continuously enacted.

• until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.

  • until (עַד, 'ad): This preposition marks the termination point of Joshua's action and the beginning of a new phase. It highlights that the continued holding of the spear was necessary until the specified objective was completely fulfilled.
  • utterly destroyed (הֶחֱרִים, he·ḥĕ·rim): From the Hebrew root חָרַם (ḥaram), the origin of 'cherem' (or 'herem'), meaning "to devote to destruction," "to consecrate by destroying." This is not ordinary warfare or plunder. It signifies a divine judgment against the inherent wickedness and idolatry of the Canaanites. By placing them under 'cherem,' they were rendered completely to God—through destruction—with no spoils to be taken, preventing contamination of Israel. It emphasizes God's holiness and His justice against sin.
  • all the inhabitants (אֵת כָּל יֹשְׁבֵי, 'et kol yoš·ḇei): "All the residents/dwellers." The word כָּל (kol), "all," signifies totality and comprehensiveness. This was a complete and thorough execution of God's command for the 'cherem,' leaving no one alive who was devoted to destruction. This speaks to the absolute nature of God's judgment and Israel's obedience.
  • of Ai (הָעָי, hā·'āy): "Ai" literally means "the heap" or "the ruin." This name is tragically prophetic, as the city was utterly destroyed and reduced to a ruinous heap, fulfilling God's word (Josh 8:28).

Joshua 8 26 Bonus section

The sustained posture of Joshua with the spear also carries a subtle polemic against any notion that the Israelite victory was solely due to their military prowess or clever strategy. By keeping his hand extended as a constant signal until complete destruction, Joshua emphasizes that the entire operation was under continuous divine sanction and leadership. It points away from human effort as the primary source of success and towards the enduring power of God's presence and specific command. It implies a 'divine battery' or energy sustaining the will to fight and the strength of the army. This action also symbolically represents the total commitment required in spiritual warfare against evil, where the battle must be waged ceaselessly until God's purpose is completely achieved, rather than withdrawing prematurely.

Joshua 8 26 Commentary

Joshua 8:26 profoundly illustrates the principles of unwavering obedience, divine command, and thorough execution of God's judgment. Joshua's steadfast posture, maintaining his hand outstretched with the spear, was not a superstitious ritual but a continuous, visible sign of authority and the ongoing divine command. Like Moses' uplifted hands against Amalek, Joshua's action demonstrated his relentless commitment and the source of Israel's strength in battle: God's explicit instruction and active presence. The phrase "utterly destroyed" points to 'cherem,' a sacred and severe act commanded by God against nations whose wickedness had reached its fullness, particularly their deep-seated idolatry, child sacrifice, and abominable practices. This divine judgment through Israel was a means of cleansing the land and protecting Israel from spiritual defilement. Joshua's continued hand signal was crucial for sustaining the battle's intensity until this total eradication was completed, showcasing that God’s victory is contingent on faithful, sustained obedience to His specific commands, no matter how rigorous. This moment underscores that the battle for Ai was ultimately God's, executed through Joshua and His people, demonstrating the consequences of sin and the need for God’s righteous judgment.