Joshua 7:9

Verse

When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?”

American Standard Version (1901)

For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and will compass us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do for thy great name?

Bible in Basic English

For when the news comes to the Canaanites and all the people of the land, they will come up, shutting us in and cutting off our name from the earth: and what will you do for the honour of your great name?

Free Bible Version

The Canaanites and everyone living in the land will come and surround us and wipe us out so completely that even our name will be forgotten. Then what will happen to your great reputation?”

Geneva Bible 1599

For the Canaanites, and all the inhabitants of the land shall heare of it, and shall compasse vs, and destroy our name out of the earth: and what wilt thou doe vnto thy mightie Name?

King James (Authorized) Version

For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do unto thy great name?

Translation for Translators

The Canaan people-group and all the other people who are living in this land will hear about this. Then they will surround us and kill all of us! Then what will you do ◄to defend your reputation [MTY]/to show that you are a powerful God►?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it. They will surround us and make the people of the earth forget our name. What will you do for your great name?”

Noah Webster Bible

For the Canaanites, and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it , and will environ us, and cut off our name from the earth: and what wilt thou do to thy great name?

World English Bible

For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and will surround us, and cut off our name from the earth. What will you do for your great name?”

Young's Literal Translation

and the Canaanite and all the inhabitants of the land do hear, and have come round against us, and cut off our name out of the earth; and what dost Thou do for Thy great name?'

Context

The Defeat at Ai

⁸O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?⁹When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?”

Sermons

The Greatness and Glory of God's Name

T. Austin-Sparks

Summary

In Joshua 7:9, Joshua expresses his distress to God after the Israelites were defeated in battle by the people of Ai. He questions God's decision to bring them across the Jordan River only to be destroyed by their enemies. This verse reflects Joshua's confusion and concern over the situation, seeking God's guidance and intervention in the face of defeat. It shows Joshua's humility and dependence on God's wisdom and power to overcome challenges and achieve victory for the Israelites.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

For the Canaanites,.... Those that dwell on the east and on the west of the land, see Jos 11:3; who were one of the seven nations: and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it; of this defeat; not only the Amorites, among whom they now were, and the Canaanites before mentioned, but the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites: and shall environ us round; come with all their forces from all parts of the land, and surround us, so that there will be no escaping for us: and cut off our name from the earth; utterly destroy us, that we shall be no more a nation and people, and the name of an Israelite no more be heard of, see Psa 83:4, and what wilt thou do unto thy great name? this, though mentioned last, was uppermost in the heart of Joshua, and was reserved by him as his strongest argument with God to appear for them and save them; since his own glory, the glory of his perfections, his wisdom, goodness, power, truth, and faithfulness, was so much concerned in their salvation.