Joshua 8:17

Verse

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

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

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

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.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

There was not a man left in Ai and Bethel who had not gone out to pursue Israel. They abandoned the city and left it open as they pursued Israel.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

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.

Context

The Conquest of Ai

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.

Summary

In Joshua 8:17, we see the strategic military tactics employed by Joshua and the Israelites as they set an ambush to capture the city of Ai. This verse showcases the importance of wisdom, planning, and obedience in achieving victory with God's guidance. It also serves as a reminder that God can use various methods and individuals to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating His sovereignty over all circumstances. The account in Joshua 8:17 encourages believers to trust in God's wisdom and timing, even in the face of challenges and setbacks, knowing that He is always working for their good.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

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 Jdg 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.

Joshua 8:17

The Conquest of Ai

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

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

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

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.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

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.

Unlocked Literal Bible

There was not a man left in Ai and Bethel who had not gone out to pursue Israel. They abandoned the city and left it open as they pursued Israel.

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

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.

Young's Literal Translation

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.

Adam Clarke
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Joshua 8:17

Verse

Context

The Conquest of Ai

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Joshua 8:17

The Conquest of Ai

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes