Was it ethical for God to command a deceptive tactic like a feigned retreat?

This question touches on the ethics of warfare in the Old Testament and the nature of divine command. From a biblical perspective, the command for a feigned retreat in Joshua 8:2 is presented as a direct instruction from God to Joshua. In ancient warfare, deception was a commonly accepted and often necessary tactic, not viewed as a moral failing but as a legitimate part of military strategy. Furthermore, God's commands to Israel regarding the conquest of Canaan were part of a unique historical and theological context—the judgment of wicked nations whose iniquity was full (Genesis 15:16) and the establishment of His covenant people in the promised land. The primary ethical consideration here is not human deception in general, but God's sovereign right to use various means, including military strategy, to fulfill His redemptive and judgmental purposes within a specific historical framework. The Bible does not condemn this particular act of deception, but rather presents it as a divinely sanctioned means to achieve a just outcome in the context of the conquest.

8:4 8:4

Joshua 8:5

8:6 8:6

Bible Versions

And I, and all the people that [are] with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,

And I, and all the people {H5971} that are with me, will approach {H7126} unto the city {H5892}: and it shall come to pass, when they come out {H3318} against {H7125} us, as at the first {H7223}, that we will flee {H5127} before {H6440} them,

I and all the troops with me will approach the city; and when they come out to attack us, as they did before, we will run away from them.

Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them.

and I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city. And it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them;

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.

Verse Lookup

Cross-References

Joshua 7:5

And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.
Judges 20:31

And the children of Benjamin went out against the people, [and] were drawn away from the city; and they began to smite of the people, [and] kill, as at other times, in the highways, of which one goeth up to the house of God, and the other to Gibeah in the field, about thirty men of Israel.
Judges 20:33

And all the men of Israel rose up out of their place, and put themselves in array at Baaltamar: and the liers in wait of Israel came forth out of their places, [even] out of the meadows of Gibeah.
Matthew 10:16

¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Bible Versions

Search Scripture