Joshua 8:16

Verse

Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city.

American Standard Version (1901)

And all the people that were in the city were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.

Bible in Basic English

And all the people in Ai came together to go after them; and they went after Joshua, moving away from the town.

Free Bible Version

All the men of the town were called out to chase after them, and as they pursued Joshua they were drawn father from the town.

Geneva Bible 1599

And all the people of the citie were called together, to pursue after them: and they pursued after Ioshua, and were drawen away out of the city,

King James (Authorized) Version

And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.

Translation for Translators

The men in Ai were ordered to chase after Joshua and his men. So they left the city and started to pursue the Israelis.

Unlocked Literal Bible

All the people who were in the city were called together to go after them, and they went after Joshua and they were drawn away from the city.

Noah Webster Bible

And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue them: and they pursued Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.

World English Bible

All the people who were in the city were called together to pursue after them. They pursued Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.

Young's Literal Translation

and all the people who [are] in the city are called to pursue after them, and they pursue after Joshua, and are drawn away out of the city,

Context

The Conquest of Ai

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.

Sermons

I Will Never Draw Back My Hand

Carter Conlon

3.5K

Summary

In Joshua 8:16, we see Joshua following the instructions given by God to set up an ambush against the city of Ai. This strategic military plan was crucial for the Israelites to defeat their enemies and claim victory. It demonstrates the importance of obedience to God's guidance and the effectiveness of following His divine strategies. This verse serves as a reminder that success in battles, whether physical or spiritual, often requires faithfulness to God's commands and reliance on His wisdom for overcoming obstacles.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them,.... Because the host of Israel was very numerous, it was judged proper that all the people in Ai should assist in pursuing them, not only to kill the more in the pursuit, but to carry off the spoil and prisoners they should take; or rather the sense is, that all the people in Ai, which were come out with the king to battle, when they saw Israel flee, "cried" (x), or shouted, as soldiers do when victorious, "in" or "while pursuing" (y) after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city; at some considerable distance from it; which was the design to be answered by feigning a flight. (x) "vociferantes", V. L. "vociferati sunt", Pagninus, Montanus. (y) "persequendo", Pagninus, Montanus.