Joshua 8:21

Verse

When Joshua and all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and struck down the men of Ai.

American Standard Version (1901)

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.

Bible in Basic English

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the town had been taken by the surprise attack, and that the smoke of the town had gone up, turning round they overcame the men of Ai.

Free Bible Version

For when Joshua and the Israelites saw that the ambush group had captured the town, and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and attacked the men of Ai.

Geneva Bible 1599

When Ioshua and all Israel sawe that they that lay in waite, had taken the citie, and that the smoke of the citie mounted vp, then they turned againe and slewe the men of Ai.

King James (Authorized) Version

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.

Translation for Translators

Joshua and his men saw that the men who had been hiding had captured the city and were burning it, and they saw the smoke rising. So they turned around and started to attack the men of Ai.

Unlocked Literal Bible

When Joshua and all Israel saw the ambush had captured the city with the smoke rising, they turned around and killed the men of Ai.

Noah Webster Bible

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again and slew the men of Ai.

World English Bible

When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned back and killed the men of Ai.

Young's Literal Translation

and Joshua and all Israel have seen that the ambush hath captured the city, and that the smoke of the city hath gone up, and they turn back and smite the men of Ai;

Context

The Conquest of Ai

²⁰When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers.²¹When Joshua and all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and struck down the men of Ai.²²Meanwhile, those in the ambush came out of the city against them, and the men of Ai were trapped between the Israelite forces on both sides. So Israel struck them down until no survivor or fugitive remained.

Summary

In this verse, Joshua and the Israelites execute a strategic military plan to defeat the city of Ai. By pretending to retreat, they lure the men of Ai out of their city, leaving it vulnerable. This displays the wisdom and guidance of God in battle, as He orchestrates the victory for His people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of following God's instructions and trusting in His divine intervention, even in the midst of challenging circumstances.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And when Joshua,.... Or "for Joshua" (z): and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city; which they knew by the smoke, as follows: and that the smoke of the city ascended; in large columns, which sufficiently indicated that the whole city was taken and fired by the ambush: then, or, "and": they turned again and slew the men of Ai; great numbers of them. (z) "et enim Josua", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; so Masius.

Joshua 8:21

The Conquest of Ai

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

When Joshua and all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and struck down the men of Ai.

American Standard Version (1901)

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.

Bible in Basic English

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the town had been taken by the surprise attack, and that the smoke of the town had gone up, turning round they overcame the men of Ai.

Free Bible Version

For when Joshua and the Israelites saw that the ambush group had captured the town, and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and attacked the men of Ai.

Geneva Bible 1599

When Ioshua and all Israel sawe that they that lay in waite, had taken the citie, and that the smoke of the citie mounted vp, then they turned againe and slewe the men of Ai.

King James (Authorized) Version

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.

Translation for Translators

Joshua and his men saw that the men who had been hiding had captured the city and were burning it, and they saw the smoke rising. So they turned around and started to attack the men of Ai.

Unlocked Literal Bible

When Joshua and all Israel saw the ambush had captured the city with the smoke rising, they turned around and killed the men of Ai.

Noah Webster Bible

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again and slew the men of Ai.

World English Bible

When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned back and killed the men of Ai.

Young's Literal Translation

and Joshua and all Israel have seen that the ambush hath captured the city, and that the smoke of the city hath gone up, and they turn back and smite the men of Ai;