Joshua 8:22

KJV

And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the other {H428} issued out {H3318} of the city {H5892} against {H7125} them; so they were in the midst {H8432} of Israel {H3478}, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote {H5221} them, so that {H5704} they let {H7604} none of them remain {H8300} or escape {H6412}.

Complete Jewish Bible

while the others came out of the city against them too; so that they were surrounded by Isra'el with some on this side and some on that side. They attacked them, allowing none to remain or escape.

Berean Standard Bible

Meanwhile, 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.

American Standard Version

And the others came forth out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 8:22 vividly describes the climactic moment of Israel's decisive victory over the city of Ai. Following God's meticulously designed ambush strategy, the men of Ai, lured out of their city by a feigned Israelite retreat, found themselves caught in a devastating pincer movement. Surrounded on all sides by the main Israelite force and the hidden ambush unit, they were utterly overwhelmed and annihilated, with not a single one escaping, marking a complete reversal of Israel's prior humiliating defeat.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Joshua 8:22 is the culmination of the second battle for Ai, a pivotal event following Israel's initial, humiliating defeat in [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin and Defeat at Ai"). The previous chapter detailed Achan's sin of taking devoted things, which led to God's withdrawal of favor and Israel's vulnerability. After Achan's judgment and the restoration of God's presence, the Lord Himself provided Joshua with a detailed, strategic plan for attacking Ai (Joshua 8:1-8). This plan involved a large ambush force positioned behind the city, while a smaller main force feigned retreat to draw Ai's defenders out. Verse 22 precisely captures the moment this elaborate trap springs shut, with the men of Ai caught between the two Israelite contingents, ensuring their complete destruction. This verse transitions into the immediate aftermath, including the burning of Ai and the hanging of its king (Joshua 8:23-29).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conquest of Canaan was a divinely mandated act of judgment against the wicked Canaanite nations, whose practices included child sacrifice, idolatry, and gross immorality. The command for *herem*, or "devotion to destruction," applied to certain cities like Ai, was not mere savagery but a judicial act by God to purge the land of evil and protect Israel from spiritual contamination. Ai itself was a strategically important city, likely guarding a major route through the central highlands. The battle tactics employed, particularly the ambush, were common in ancient Near Eastern warfare, but in this instance, they were supernaturally guided by God. The complete annihilation described in the verse reflects the severe consequences of divine judgment and the absolute nature of the *herem* command, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 7:1-6](/deuteronomy/7 "Deuteronomy 7 - Warnings Against Idolatry").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major themes within the book of Joshua and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty and Strategy**: the victory at Ai was not due to Israel's military might alone, but to God's precise, divinely revealed plan, demonstrating His active involvement in the conquest. Secondly, it emphasizes the **Consequences of Obedience and Disobedience**: in stark contrast to the defeat in [Joshua 7:4-5](/joshua/7-4 "Joshua 7:4-5 - Israel's Defeat at Ai"), this overwhelming victory showcases the blessings that flow from Israel's renewed and complete obedience to God's commands. Thirdly, the phrase "let none of them remain or escape" exemplifies the theme of **Divine Judgment and *Herem***, illustrating God's righteous wrath against the wickedness of the Canaanites and His determination to purify the land for His covenant people. Finally, it reinforces God's **Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises** to give Israel the land, even after their initial stumble, demonstrating His restorative grace when His people repent and obey, as ultimately fulfilled in [Joshua 21:43-45](/joshua/21-43 "Joshua 21:43-45 - God's Fulfillment of Promises").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Smote (Hebrew, _nakah_):** This verb signifies a forceful, decisive strike, often leading to defeat, injury, or death. In the context of warfare, it conveys a complete and overwhelming defeat, indicating that the Israelite forces engaged with full might, leaving no doubt as to the outcome. It suggests a relentless and thorough execution of the divine judgment against Ai.
* **None of them remain or escape (Hebrew, _lo hish'ir lo sarid ufalit_):** This phrase is a strong idiom emphasizing absolute and total destruction. "Remain" (שָׂרִיד, _sarid_) refers to a survivor or remnant, while "escape" (פָּלִיט, _palit_) refers to one who flees to safety. The double negative ("none...remain or escape") underscores the utter annihilation of Ai's fighting men, leaving no survivors to regroup or pose a future threat. It highlights the completeness of God's judgment and the success of the ambush.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the other issued out of the city against them;":** This refers to the ambush force, which had been hidden behind Ai. Once the main Israelite force had drawn the men of Ai out, this hidden contingent entered the now-defenseless city and then emerged to attack the Ai army from the rear, completing the pincer movement.
* **"so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side:":** This clause describes the successful execution of the ambush strategy. The men of Ai, having pursued the feigning Israelite force, found themselves trapped. The main Israelite contingent was in front of them, and the ambush force was behind them, effectively surrounding them and cutting off any possibility of retreat back to the city.
* **"and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.":** This is the decisive outcome. Caught in an inescapable trap, the men of Ai were utterly defeated. The phrase emphasizes the totality of the destruction, signifying that the Israelite forces carried out God's command for *herem* with precision and completeness, leaving no survivors from the fighting men of Ai.

#### Literary Devices
The narrative in Joshua 8:22 employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is prominent, as the men of Ai, confident from their previous victory and eager to pursue what they perceived as a fleeing enemy, unwittingly run directly into a divinely orchestrated trap. Their initial success in [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Israel's Defeat at Ai") leads to overconfidence, which becomes their undoing. There is also a strong sense of **Contrast** between Israel's humiliating defeat in the first battle for Ai and this overwhelming, total victory. This stark difference highlights the power of obedience versus the consequences of sin. Furthermore, the meticulous detail of the ambush strategy and its flawless execution demonstrate **Divine Omniscience and Sovereignty**, portraying God as the ultimate strategist who controls the outcome of battles.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 8:22 is a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness, His strategic wisdom, and the severe consequences of divine judgment. It demonstrates that true victory for God's people is not achieved through human might or cleverness alone, but through humble obedience to His specific instructions. The complete annihilation of Ai's fighting force underscores the seriousness of God's judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanites, serving as a stark reminder that sin has ultimate consequences and that God is just in His dealings with humanity. This victory also serves as a profound reassurance of God's restorative grace; despite Israel's previous failure due to Achan's sin, God, upon their repentance and obedience, restored His favor and granted them a resounding triumph, fulfilling His covenant promises to give them the land.

* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command for Destruction")
* [Joshua 7:12](/joshua/7-12 "Consequences of Achan's Sin")
* [Joshua 21:45](/joshua/21-45 "God's Promises Fulfilled")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The overwhelming victory at Ai, as depicted in Joshua 8:22, offers profound lessons for believers today. It reminds us that even after significant failures or setbacks, God's grace and strategic wisdom can lead us to complete triumph if we humble ourselves, confess our sins, and diligently seek and obey His guidance. Just as Israel needed to deal decisively with Achan's sin before they could experience victory, we too must be vigilant in identifying and eradicating areas of disobedience or compromise in our lives. The thoroughness of Ai's defeat challenges us to consider whether we are truly dealing decisively with spiritual strongholds or persistent sinful patterns, leaving "none to remain or escape" their influence over us. God's faithfulness to His promises, even after our stumbles, should inspire us to trust Him implicitly, knowing that when we align our will with His, He empowers us to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's detailed strategy for Ai encourage us to seek His guidance and wisdom in our own personal or spiritual battles?**
* **What "enemies" or sinful patterns in our lives might God be calling us to deal with decisively, "leaving no room for them to remain or escape"?**
* **How does Israel's journey from defeat to overwhelming victory at Ai speak to our own experiences of failure, repentance, and restoration in our walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Why was the destruction of Ai's army so complete, "leaving none to remain or escape"?**

Answer: The total destruction of Ai's fighting force was in accordance with God's command for *herem*, or "devotion to destruction," which applied to certain Canaanite cities. This was not an act of wanton cruelty but a divinely ordained judgment against the extreme wickedness, idolatry, and depravity of the Canaanite nations (cf. [Deuteronomy 9:4-5](/deuteronomy/9-4 "Deuteronomy 9:4-5 - Why the Nations Were Dispossessed")). It served multiple purposes: to punish their egregious sins, to prevent their corrupting influence from spreading to Israel, and to demonstrate God's absolute power and faithfulness in giving the land to His chosen people. The completeness of the destruction underscored the finality of God's judgment and the seriousness of His holy war against evil.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The decisive and total victory over Ai, where "none of them remain or escape," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate triumph achieved by Jesus Christ. Just as Joshua led Israel to conquer a fortified city and its wicked inhabitants, Jesus, the greater Joshua, leads His people in a far more profound conquest. His death on the cross and glorious resurrection constitute the ultimate ambush, decisively defeating sin, death, and the powers of darkness that held humanity captive. Through His finished work, Christ "disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in Him" ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). The completeness of Ai's defeat mirrors the absolute victory of Christ; no enemy of God's kingdom—no sin, no spiritual stronghold, no fear of death—can ultimately "remain or escape" His sovereign authority. Believers, united with Christ, participate in this victory, knowing that the spiritual warfare they engage in is fought from a position of triumph, secured by the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and who promises that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Peter's Confession and the Church")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 7:2

And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, [and] utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:

Joshua 6:21

And they utterly destroyed all that [was] in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.

1 Thessalonians 5:3

For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

Luke 17:26

And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man.

Luke 17:30

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed.

Job 20:5

That the triumphing of the wicked [is] short, and the joy of the hypocrite [but] for a moment?

Joshua 10:28

¶ And that day Joshua took Makkedah, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and the king thereof he utterly destroyed, them, and all the souls that [were] therein; he let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah as he did unto the king of Jericho.