Joshua 8:17

Joshua 8:17 in Multiple Translations

Berean Standard Bible BSB

Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel.

King James Version KJV

And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.

American Standard Version ASV

And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.

Bible in Basic English BBE

There was not a man in Ai and Beth-el who did not go out after Israel; and the town was open and unwatched while they went after Israel.

Free Bible Version FBV

There wasn't a man left in Ai and Bethel who didn't go out to chase the Israelites. They left the town wide open as they pursued the Israelites.

Geneva Bible 1599 GNV

So that there was not a man left in Ai, nor in Beth-el, that went not out after Israel: and they left the citie open, and pursued after Israel.

Young's Literal Translation YLT

and there hath not been left a man in Ai and Bethel who hath not gone out after Israel, and they leave the city open, and pursue after Israel.

World English Bible WEB

There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who didn’t go out after Israel. They left the city open, and pursued Israel.

Noah Webster Bible WBS

And there was not a man left in Ai, or Beth-el that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued Israel.

Douay-Rheims 1899 DRV

And not one remained in the city of Hai and of Bethel, that did not pursue after Israel, leaving the towns open as they had rushed out,

Translation for Translators T4T

All the men of Ai and the men of Bethel pursued the Israeli army. They did not leave even one man in Ai to defend it. The gates of the city were left wide open.

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Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 8:17

BAB

Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

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 8:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB

HEB וְ/לֹֽא נִשְׁאַ֣ר אִ֗ישׁ בָּ/עַי֙ וּ/בֵ֣ית אֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא יָצְא֖וּ אַחֲרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַ/יַּעַזְב֤וּ אֶת הָ/עִיר֙ פְּתוּחָ֔ה וַֽ/יִּרְדְּפ֖וּ אַחֲרֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Conj | Part

נִשְׁאַ֣ר shâʼar H7604 to remain V-Niphal-Perf-3ms

אִ֗ישׁ ʼîysh H376 man N-ms

בָּ/עַי֙ ʻAy H5857 Ai Prep | N-proper

וּ/בֵ֣ית Bêyth-ʼÊl H1008 Bethel Conj | N-proper

אֵ֔ל Bêyth-ʼÊl H1008 Bethel N-proper

אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 which Rel

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 not Part

יָצְא֖וּ yâtsâʼ H3318 to come out V-Qal-Perf-3cp

אַחֲרֵ֣י ʼachar H310 after Prep

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper

וַ/יַּעַזְב֤וּ ʻâzab H5800 Forsaken Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM

הָ/עִיר֙ ʻîyr H5892 excitement Art | N-fs

פְּתוּחָ֔ה pâthach H6605 to open V-Qal-Inf-c

וַֽ/יִּרְדְּפ֖וּ râdaph H7291 to pursue Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

אַחֲרֵ֥י ʼachar H310 after Prep

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל Yisrâʼêl H3478 Israel N-proper

Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 8:17

וְ/לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Conj | Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)

Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.

נִשְׁאַ֣ר shâʼar H7604 "to remain" V-Niphal-Perf-3ms

To remain or be left over, as in Joshua 10:20. It can also mean to spare or reserve something, like God sparing Noah in Genesis 7:23. This word is used to describe the remnant of Israel.

Definition: 1) to remain, be left over, be left behind 1a) (Qal) to remain 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be left over, be left alive, survive 1b1a) remainder, remnant (participle) 1b2) to be left behind 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to leave over, spare 1c2) to leave or keep over 1c3) to have left 1c4) to leave (as a gift)

Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: leave, (be) left, let, remain, remnant, reserve, the rest. See also: Genesis 7:23; 1 Kings 22:47; Isaiah 4:3.

אִ֗ישׁ ʼîysh H376 "man" N-ms

The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.

Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)

Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.

בָּ/עַי֙ ʻAy H5857 "Ai" Prep | N-proper

Ai means 'heap of ruins', a city in Palestine east of the Jordan River, mentioned in the Bible as part of the Ammonites' territory. It appears in the book of Joshua and is associated with Heshbon. The city's name reflects its history of destruction.

Definition: § Ai or Aija or Aiath or Hai = "heap of ruins" a city of the Ammonites on the east of the Jordan and apparently attached to Heshbon

Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Ai, Aija, Aijath, Hai. See also: Genesis 12:8; Joshua 8:20; Isaiah 10:28.

וּ/בֵ֣ית Bêyth-ʼÊl H1008 "Bethel" Conj | N-proper

Bethel, meaning house of God, is a significant location in the Bible, particularly in the book of Genesis. It was a place of worship and sacrifice, where Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven. The name Bethel signifies its importance as a spiritual site, where God was believed to dwell.

Definition: § Bethel = "house of God" a place in south country of Judah

Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: Beth-el. See also: Genesis 12:8; 1 Samuel 30:27; Jeremiah 48:13.

אֵ֔ל Bêyth-ʼÊl H1008 "Bethel" N-proper

Definition: § Bethel = "house of God" a place in south country of Judah

Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: Beth-el. See also: Genesis 12:8; 1 Samuel 30:27; Jeremiah 48:13.

אֲשֶׁ֥ר ʼăsher H834 "which" Rel

This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.

Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when

Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.

לֹֽא lôʼ H3808 "not" Part

The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.

יָצְא֖וּ yâtsâʼ H3318 "to come out" V-Qal-Perf-3cp

In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.

Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth

Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.

אַחֲרֵ֣י ʼachar H310 "after" Prep

Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.

Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after

Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל 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.

וַ/יַּעַזְב֤וּ ʻâzab H5800 "Forsaken" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

Forsaken means to loosen or relinquish something, often implying abandonment. In the Bible, the word appears in Psalm 22:1, where David cries out to God, saying my God, why have you forsaken me. The term signifies a sense of desperation and isolation.

Definition: This name means to restore, repair Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)

Usage: Occurs in 206 OT verses. KJV: commit self, fail, forsake, fortify, help, leave (destitute, off), refuse, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 2:24; Nehemiah 5:10; Psalms 9:11.

אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM

In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.

Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)

Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.

הָ/עִיר֙ ʻîyr H5892 "excitement" Art | N-fs

In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.

Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror

Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.

פְּתוּחָ֔ה pâthach H6605 "to open" V-Qal-Inf-c

This verb means to engrave or carve, and is used in Exodus to describe the intricate carvings on the furniture of the tabernacle.

Definition: 1) to open 1a) (Qal) to open 1b) (Niphal) to be opened, be let loose, be thrown open 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to free 1c2) to loosen 1c3) to open, open oneself 1d) (Hithpael) to loose oneself Aramaic equivalent: pe.tach (פְּתַח "to open" H6606)

Usage: Occurs in 133 OT verses. KJV: appear, break forth, draw (out), let go free, (en-) grave(-n), loose (self), (be, be set) open(-ing), put off, ungird, unstop, have vent. See also: Genesis 7:11; Psalms 39:10; Psalms 5:10.

וַֽ/יִּרְדְּפ֖וּ râdaph H7291 "to pursue" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp

To pursue or chase after someone means to follow them with hostile intent. This can be a physical pursuit or a pursuit of someone's life or well-being, as seen in many biblical stories.

Definition: 1) to be behind, follow after, pursue, persecute, run after 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pursue, put to flight, chase, dog, attend closely upon 1a2) to persecute, harass (fig) 1a3) to follow after, aim to secure (fig) 1a4) to run after (a bribe) (fig) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be pursued 1b2) one pursued (participle) 1c) (Piel) to pursue ardently, aim eagerly to secure, pursue 1d) (Pual) to be pursued, be chased away 1e) (Hiphil) to pursue, chase

Usage: Occurs in 135 OT verses. KJV: chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). See also: Genesis 14:14; 2 Samuel 20:13; Psalms 7:2.

אַחֲרֵ֥י ʼachar H310 "after" Prep

Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל Yisrâʼêl H3478 "Israel" N-proper

Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.

Study Notes — Joshua 8:17

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Context
Cross References
Joshua 8:17 Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Reflection Questions
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 8:17
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 8:17
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 8:17
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 8:17
Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 8:17
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 8:17
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 8:17
Barnes' Notes on Joshua 8:17
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 8:17
Sermons on Joshua 8:17

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.

18Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Hold out your battle lance toward Ai, for into your hand I will deliver the city.” So Joshua held out his battle lance toward Ai, 19and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire.

Cross References

	Reference	Text (BSB)
1	Job 5:13	He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.
2	Joshua 8:3	So Joshua and the whole army set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor and sent them out at night
3	Isaiah 19:11–13	The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”? Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt. The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.
4	Joshua 8:24–25	When Israel had finished killing all the men of Ai who had pursued them into the field and wilderness, and when every last one of them had fallen by the sword, all the Israelites returned to Ai and put it to the sword as well. A total of twelve thousand men and women fell that day—all the people of Ai.
5	Deuteronomy 2:30	But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the LORD your God had made his spirit stubborn and his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as is the case this day.
6	Joshua 11:20	For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts to engage Israel in battle, so that they would be set apart for destruction and would receive no mercy, being annihilated as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Joshua 8:17 Summary

In Joshua 8:17, the men of Ai and Bethel chased after the Israelites, leaving their city wide open and unguarded. This happened because they were deceived into thinking they were winning the battle, similar to how we can be deceived by our enemy, Satan, as seen in 1 Peter 5:8. We can learn from this verse that sometimes we must trust in God's power and plan, even when things seem to be going against us, and that He can use our weaknesses to achieve His purposes (2 Corinthians 12:9-10). By trusting in God and being aware of the enemy's tactics, we can overcome spiritual battles and accomplish God's plan for our lives (Romans 8:37).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the men of Ai and Bethel chase after the Israelites in Joshua 8:17?

The men of Ai and Bethel chased after the Israelites because they were deceived into thinking they were winning the battle, as stated in Joshua 8:15-16, similar to the way the enemy tries to deceive us today, as seen in 1 Peter 5:8.

What happened to the city of Ai while its men were chasing the Israelites?

The city of Ai was left wide open and unguarded, as stated in Joshua 8:17, because all the men had gone out to pursue the Israelites, making it vulnerable to attack, much like how we can leave ourselves vulnerable to spiritual attack when we are not careful, as warned in Ephesians 6:10-18.

How does this verse relate to the concept of spiritual warfare?

This verse illustrates how our enemy, Satan, can deceive us and lead us into spiritual battles, as seen in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, and how we must be aware of his tactics and trust in God's power to overcome them, as encouraged in Romans 8:37.

What can we learn from the Israelites' actions in this verse?

We can learn from the Israelites' actions that sometimes we must retreat or appear weak in order to accomplish God's plan, as seen in Joshua 8:15-19, and that God can use our weaknesses to achieve His purposes, as stated in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.

Reflection Questions

What are some ways that I may be chasing after the wrong things in my life, leaving myself vulnerable to spiritual attack?
How can I trust in God's power and plan, even when things seem to be going against me, like the Israelites in this verse?
What are some areas in my life where I need to be aware of the enemy's deception and tactics, and how can I protect myself, as seen in Ephesians 6:10-18?
How can I apply the principle of appearing weak or retreating in order to accomplish God's plan in my own life, as seen in this verse?

Gill's Exposition on Joshua 8:17

And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel that went not out after Israel,.... For as these two places were very near to each other, but a mile apart, they were in confederacy, and acted together,

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 8:17

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. No JFB commentary on these verses.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 8:17

Not a man, to wit, fit for war. Beth-el, being a neighbouring city, and encouraged by the former success, had sent some forces to assist them; and now, upon notice sent to them of the flight of their common enemies, or upon some other signal given, which might easily be done, having been appointed beforehand, as is usual in such cases, all their men of war join with those of Ai in the pursuit.

Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 8:17

Joshua 8:17 And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.Ver. 17. And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel.] Thus obdurate sinners are even ambitious of destruction. Judgments need not go to find them out; they run to meet their bane. And they left the city open.] Security ushereth in destruction. God’ s saints are oft outwitted by the devil, whilst by a wile he getteth them out of the city, - the promise and God’ s gracious presence, - and then doth what he will with them. "Little children," saith St John, "if ye abide in God’ s commandments" (and so keep home), "ye abide in God," and so are in safety.

Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 8:17

(17) There was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el.—Another singular justification of the peculiar strategy of Joshua. The road past Beth-el to Ai had been left open. It passes the north end of the two ravines in which Joshua’s ambush was posted. At the same time, it would have been easy to conceal a chain of sentinels that could observe it and tell the 35,000 men in ambush what was going on, so that if any attempt had been made by the men of Beth-el to protect Ai, it could easily have been frustrated. But no one suspected any danger, and therefore no such attempt was made. The men of Beth-el and Ai took the road that was left open to them and pursued the Israelites, probably down the ancient way past Michmash towards the Shebarim, leaving Beth-el and Ai both unprotected. After they had gone some distance, about a mile or a mile and a half from Ai, this road would bring them past the lower end of the ravine in which the ambush was posted. A second chain of outposts would easily take the signal from Joshua when this point had been passed, and then all was over with the town of Ai. It is curious that we do not hear of the capture of Beth-el at this time, though it would have been perfectly easy to take it. The king of Beth-el is named in the list of those whom Joshua smote (Joshua 12:16). We read of its capture in Judges 1:22, and of the “entrance into the city” being sought for and betrayed. But that can hardly have been the first capture of the town.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on Joshua 8:17

Verse 17. There was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el] It is very likely that the principal strength of Beth-el had been previously brought into Ai, as the strongest place to make a stand in; Beth-el being but about three miles distant from Ai, and probably not greatly fortified. Therefore Ai contained on this occasion all the men of Beth-el - all the warriors of that city, as well as its own troops and inhabitants. Others think that the Beth-elites, seeing the Israelites fly, sallied out of their city as against a common enemy; but that, finding the men of Ai discomfited, and the city taken, they returned to Beth-el, which Joshua did not think proper to attack at this time. From Judges 1:24 we find that Beth-el was then a walled city, in the hands of the Canaanites, and was taken by the house of Joseph.

Cambridge Bible on Joshua 8:17

17. or Beth-el] The inhabitants of Bethel would seem on this occasion to have sent help to the people of Ai in resisting the attack of Joshua.

Barnes' Notes on Joshua 8:17

Or Bethel - See the Joshua 8:1 note.

Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 8:17

17. Or Bethel — This small city, three miles distant on the west, had probably concentrated its military strength at Ai, as the next probable point of attack by Joshua after the conquest of Jericho;

Sermons on Joshua 8:17

	Sermon	Description
	(The Word for Today) Isaiah 19:11 - Part 2 by Chuck Smith	In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith discusses the importance of standing up for righteousness in a fallen world. He uses the example of Daniel, a young man who took a stand for God

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