Joshua 8:15
Joshua 8:15 in Multiple Translations
Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.
And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
Then Joshua and all Israel, acting as if they were overcome before them, went in flight by way of the waste land.
Joshua and the Israelites allowed themselves to be driven back, and ran away in the direction of the wilderness.
Then Ioshua and all Israel as beaten before them, fled by the way of the wildernes.
And Joshua and all Israel [seem] stricken before them, and flee the way of the wilderness,
Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
But Josue, and all Israel gave back, making as if they were afraid, and fleeing by the way of the wilderness.
Joshua and the Israeli soldiers who were with him allowed the army of Ai to push them back. They ran toward the desert.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 8:15
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 8:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּנָּֽגְע֛וּ
יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ
וְ/כָל
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
לִ/פְנֵי/הֶ֑ם
וַ/יָּנֻ֖סוּ
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
הַ/מִּדְבָּֽר
וַ/יִּנָּֽגְע֛וּ
nâgaʻ
H5060
to touch
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ
Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
H3091
Joshua
N-proper
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
לִ/פְנֵי/הֶ֑ם
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp | Suff
וַ/יָּנֻ֖סוּ
nûwç
H5127
to flee
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
derek
H1870
way
N-cs
הַ/מִּדְבָּֽר
midbâr
H4057
mouth
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 8:15
וַ/יִּנָּֽגְע֛וּ
nâgaʻ
H5060
"to touch"
Conj | V-Niphal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This Hebrew word means to touch or reach something, and can also mean to strike or defeat someone. It is used in Exodus to describe God's power and in Psalms to describe human emotions. The word has various translations, including beat, bring, and plague.
Definition: 1) to touch, reach, strike 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to touch 1a2) to strike 1a3) to reach, extend to 1a4) to be stricken 1a4a) stricken (participle) 1b) (Niphal) to be stricken, be defeated 1c) (Piel) to strike 1d) (Pual) to be stricken (by disease) 1e) (Hiphil) to cause to touch, reach, approach, arrive 1e1) to cause to touch, apply 1e2) to reach, extend, attain, arrive, come 1e3) to approach (of time) 1e4) to befall (of fate)
Usage: Occurs in 142 OT verses. KJV: beat, ([idiom] be able to) bring (down), cast, come (nigh), draw near (nigh), get up, happen, join, near, plague, reach (up), smite, strike, touch. See also: Genesis 3:3; 2 Chronicles 3:12; Psalms 32:6.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ
Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
H3091
"Joshua"
N-proper
Joshua was a leader in the Bible, first mentioned in Ezra 2:2, who helped the Israelites return from exile. His name means Jehovah is salvation, and he is also known as Jeshua in some parts of the Bible. He was a key figure in the conquest of Canaan.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.2; son of: Jehozadak (H3087); father of: Joiakim (H3113); also called Jeshua at Ezr.2.2; 3.2,8; 4.3; 5.2; 1x12.1,7,10,26; § Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation" 1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan 2) a resident of Beth-shemesh on whose land the Ark of the Covenant came to a stop after the Philistines returned it 3) son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration 4) governor of Jerusalem under king Josiah who gave his name to a gate of the city of Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare H1954 (הוֹשֵׁעַ), H3442 (יֵשׁוּעַ). See also: Exodus 17:9; Joshua 9:15; Zechariah 6:11.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
לִ/פְנֵי/הֶ֑ם
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp | Suff
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
וַ/יָּנֻ֖סוּ
nûwç
H5127
"to flee"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To flee means to quickly leave a place, like escaping from danger, as seen in the Bible when David fled from King Saul. It can also mean to disappear or vanish. In the book of Psalms, it describes God delivering his people from harm.
Definition: 1) to flee, escape 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to flee 1a2) to escape 1a3) to take flight, m depart, disappear 1a4) to fly (to the attack) on horseback 1b) (Polel) to drive at 1c) (Hithpolel) to take flight 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to put to flight 1d2) to drive hastily 1d3) to cause to disappear, hide Aramaic equivalent: nud (נוּד "to flee" H5111)
Usage: Occurs in 143 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] abate, away, be displayed, (make to) flee (away, -ing), put to flight, [idiom] hide, lift up a standard. See also: Genesis 14:10; 2 Samuel 17:2; Psalms 60:6.
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
הַ/מִּדְבָּֽר
midbâr
H4057
"mouth"
Art | N-ms
The wilderness refers to a desert or open field, like the one the Israelites wandered in after leaving Egypt. It can also mean a place of solitude or a region without many people. In the Bible, it is often associated with the journey to the Promised Land.
Definition: 1) mouth 1a) mouth (as organ of speech)
Usage: Occurs in 257 OT verses. KJV: desert, south, speech, wilderness. See also: Genesis 14:6; Joshua 5:4; Psalms 29:8.
Study Notes — Joshua 8:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Conquest of Ai
13So the forces were stationed with the main camp to the north of the city and the rear guard to the west of the city. And that night Joshua went into the valley.
14When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city.
15Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.
16Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city. 17Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 18:12 | On the north side their border began at the Jordan, went up past the northern slope of Jericho, headed west through the hill country, and came out at the wilderness of Beth-aven. |
| 2 | Joshua 16:1 | The allotment for the descendants of Joseph extended from the Jordan at Jericho to the waters of Jericho on the east, through the wilderness that goes up from Jericho into the hill country of Bethel. |
| 3 | Judges 20:36 | Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah. |
| 4 | Joshua 15:61 | These were in the wilderness: Beth-arabah, Middin, Secacah, |
Joshua 8:15 Summary
[Joshua and the Israelites pretended to flee from the men of Ai to lure them into a trap, as part of their battle strategy. This shows that Joshua trusted in God's plan, even when it seemed like a strange or uncertain approach. In a similar way, we can trust in God's plan for our lives, even when things seem unclear or difficult, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11 where God promises to give us a hope and a future. By trusting in God and following His lead, we can experience victory and success, just like Joshua and the Israelites did.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Joshua and the Israelites pretend to flee in Joshua 8:15?
Joshua and the Israelites pretended to flee to lure the men of Ai into a trap, as part of their battle strategy, similar to the tactics used by God in Joshua 23:10 where He fought for the Israelites.
Is this verse promoting deception or dishonesty?
No, this verse is describing a military tactic, not promoting dishonesty, as seen in 2 Corinthians 12:20 where Paul talks about being truthful in all his interactions.
How does this verse relate to the concept of trust in God's plan?
This verse shows how Joshua trusted in God's plan, even when it seemed counterintuitive, much like in Proverbs 3:5-6 where we are told to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.
What can we learn from Joshua's actions in this verse about leadership?
Joshua's actions demonstrate courageous leadership and faith in God's plan, as seen in 1 Timothy 4:12 where Paul encourages Timothy to be an example to the believers in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.
Reflection Questions
- What are some times in my life when I have had to trust in God's plan, even when it seemed unclear or uncertain?
- How can I apply the principle of trusting in God's plan to my current circumstances?
- What are some ways I can demonstrate courageous leadership and faith in my own life, like Joshua did in this verse?
- In what ways can I use creative strategies, like Joshua's pretended retreat, to further God's kingdom and purposes in my life?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 8:15
And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them,.... Or smitten, as some of them might be in the pursuit: and fled by the way of the wilderness; not a barren desert, but, according
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 8:15
And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness. Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 8:15
Made as if they were beaten before them, i.e. fled from them, as it were for fear of a second blow; and peradventure some of them might be wounded, though none were killed, and might make that the pretence of their fleeing away. The wilderness lay between Ai and Jericho, whither they now seemed to flee.
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 8:15
Joshua 8:15 And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.Ver. 15. Made as if they were beaten.] See Joshua 8:2. So Solomon made as if he would divide the living child. Our Saviour "made as if he would have gone farther."