Joshua 8 5

Joshua 8:5 kjv

And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,

Joshua 8:5 nkjv

Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city; and it will come about, when they come out against us as at the first, that we shall flee before them.

Joshua 8:5 niv

I and all those with me will advance on the city, and when the men come out against us, as they did before, we will flee from them.

Joshua 8:5 esv

And I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out against us just as before, we shall flee before them.

Joshua 8:5 nlt

When our main army attacks, the men of Ai will come out to fight as they did before, and we will run away from them.

Joshua 8 verses

Joshua 8 5 Meaning

Joshua 8:5 outlines a critical part of God's renewed strategy for capturing Ai, following Israel's earlier defeat. It describes Joshua's role in leading the main Israelite force to "approach" the city, intentionally drawing out Ai's defenders. Based on their prior victory, the Ai forces were expected to "come out against us as at the first," presuming another easy rout. This would trigger the Israelite contingent's planned "flee[ing] before them," a strategic feigned retreat designed to lure Ai's army away from their fortified city and into a carefully set ambush by another Israelite force. This tactic illustrates strategic deception, the leverage of past events, and unwavering reliance on God-given wisdom for triumph.

Joshua 8 5 Context

Joshua chapter 8 follows the crucial events of chapter 7, where Israel suffered a humiliating defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin and disobedience regarding the devoted things from Jericho. Chapter 7 starkly illustrates the direct link between sin and national defeat, emphasizing God's holiness and His commitment to His covenant. With the camp now cleansed through Achan's execution, chapter 8 opens with God immediately reaffirming His promise of victory and instructing Joshua on the precise, complex strategy to conquer Ai. Joshua 8:5 details the specific maneuver of this divinely given battle plan: the main Israelite army's role in initiating a feigned retreat, essential for luring the enemy out of the safety of their city walls. Historically, this account takes place early in the Israelites' conquest of Canaan, demonstrating God's sovereign hand in establishing His people in the land promised to their forefathers, through military campaigns that frequently transcend conventional human tactics. This pivotal moment symbolizes restoration and renewed faith after a significant spiritual and military setback.

Joshua 8 5 Word analysis

• and I and all the people

  • "I" (וְאָנִי, va'ani): Signifies Joshua's direct and personal leadership in the execution of God's strategic plan. His presence ensures accountability and reinforces the authority of the command.
  • "all the people" (וְכָל הָעָם, vekol ha`am): Refers to the substantial portion of the Israelite fighting force under Joshua's command. This full deployment, unlike the prior partial attempt, underscores the comprehensive nature of the divinely orchestrated assault and highlights renewed unity and obedience within Israel.

• who are with me

  • This phrase clarifies that the segment of the army led by Joshua for the feigned retreat is distinct from the ambush force positioned behind Ai (Josh 8:4). It points to the detailed coordination within God's multifaceted plan.

• will approach the city

  • "approach" (וְקָרַבְתִּי, veqarafti, from קָרַב, qarab): Implies a deliberate advance or drawing near to engage. It's an intentional military maneuver designed to provoke and draw the enemy's attention. This aggressive front is crucial for inciting the Ai defenders to respond.
  • "the city" (אֶל הָעִיר, el ha`iyr): Refers to Ai. Proximity to the city walls is necessary to tempt the defenders into leaving their stronghold.

• and it will be that when they come out against us

  • "it will be" (וְהָיָה, vehayah): Indicates certainty or a planned outcome. It's a prophetic assurance of Ai's predictable reaction, confirming the precision of God's strategic foresight.
  • "they" (יֵצְאוּ, yetze'u, from יָצָא, yatsa): Designates the inhabitants and soldiers of Ai.
  • "come out against us": Signifies their aggressive advance beyond their fortifications. This exit from the safety of their walls is essential for them to become vulnerable to the ambush. It highlights their presumed strength and desire to engage.

• as at the first

  • "as at the first" (כַּבָּרִאשׁוֹנָה, kabarishonah): This critical phrase directly references Israel's previous, unsuccessful assault on Ai in Joshua 7. It speaks to the overconfidence of Ai's defenders, who, emboldened by their prior victory, are expected to anticipate another easy triumph and eagerly pursue the retreating Israelites. This phrase reveals God's ingenious psychological tactic: turning the enemy's past success and overconfidence into the very means of their downfall. It marks the profound shift from Israel's initial humiliation to their divinely orchestrated victory, strategically exploiting the enemy's fixed expectations.

• we shall flee before them

  • "we shall flee" (וְנַסְנוּ, venasnu, from נוּס, nus): Describes a carefully executed, feigned retreat, not a genuine panicked flight. This act of tactical deception requires precision and discipline to appear convincing. This "flight" is the linchpin of the overall strategy, designed to lure the pursuing Ai forces farther from their city and into the prepared ambush. It represents a deliberate strategic surrender of the apparent advantage to gain ultimate victory.

Joshua 8 5 Bonus section

The detailed battle plan for Ai, including the feigned retreat, contrasts sharply with the miraculous, wall-crumbling capture of Jericho. This shows that God's methods for achieving victory are diverse and depend on His specific purpose for each situation and His people's spiritual state. It also demonstrates God teaching Israel advanced military tactics and leadership skills, but always within the framework of divine instruction and dependence on Him, not solely on human prowess. The repetition of "as at the first" highlights the concept of divine turning the tables, where previous failure, once repented of, can be integrated into a new plan for triumph. This tactical retreat could also serve as a psychological lesson for Israel, reinforcing that outward appearances or temporary setbacks do not equate to ultimate defeat when following God's commands.

Joshua 8 5 Commentary

Joshua 8:5 unveils the strategic ingenuity behind God's revised plan for conquering Ai. This verse is deeply significant, demonstrating that divine wisdom can outmaneuver any human strategy. It particularly capitalizes on the Ai forces' predictable hubris stemming from their prior victory. Their expectation that Israel would once again "flee as at the first" became the fatal flaw in their defense, leading them to abandon their fortified city. Joshua's personal involvement, leading "all the people," symbolizes Israel's restored obedience and unified commitment after Achan's sin. This seemingly simple command for a feigned retreat is, in fact, a sophisticated military stratagem, designed to draw the enemy away from the safety of their walls and into a pre-arranged ambush. The verse underscores the principle that God often uses unconventional methods, turning apparent weakness into strength, and the enemy's perceived advantages into their undoing, all in order to secure victory for His people when they operate in humble obedience.