Joshua 8:6

KJV

(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.

KJV (with Strong's)

(For they will come out {H3318} after {H310} us) till we have drawn {H5423} them from the city {H5892}; for they will say {H559}, They flee {H5127} before {H6440} us, as at the first {H7223}: therefore we will flee {H5127} before {H6440} them.

Complete Jewish Bible

They will chase after us until we have drawn them away from the city; because they will say, 'They're running away from us, as they did before'; so we'll run away from them.

Berean Standard Bible

They will pursue us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, ‘The Israelites are running away from us as they did before.’ So as we flee from them,

American Standard Version

and they will come out after us, till we have drawn them away from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: so we will flee before them;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Joshua 8:6 details a crucial element of Israel's divinely ordained strategy for conquering Ai: a feigned retreat designed to lure the city's defenders out from their fortified walls. By appearing to flee "as at the first" — a direct reference to Israel's previous, humiliating defeat — the Israelite forces aimed to exploit the overconfidence of Ai's army, drawing them into an ambush and leaving their city vulnerable. This verse underscores the meticulous planning involved in God's military directives and the psychological warfare employed to ensure victory after a period of national repentance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is an integral part of God's specific instructions to Joshua for the second assault on Ai, following Israel's initial, disastrous defeat due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7). In [Joshua 8:1-2](/joshua/8-1 "Joshua 8:1-2 - God's Instructions for Ai"), the Lord assures Joshua of victory and outlines the general plan, including an ambush. [Joshua 8:3-5](/joshua/8-3 "Joshua 8:3-5 - Joshua's Detailed Plan for Ai") then provides Joshua's detailed deployment of troops, setting the stage for the specific tactic described in verse 6. This verse explains the *why* behind the initial movement of the main Israelite force, which was to act as bait, ensuring the men of Ai would abandon their secure position and pursue them, thereby falling into the trap laid by the hidden ambush force. The narrative immediately proceeds to the execution of this plan in [Joshua 8:7ff](/joshua/8-7 "Joshua 8:7ff - The Execution of the Ai Strategy"), demonstrating the direct fulfillment of this strategic step.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The conquest of Canaan was a pivotal moment in Israel's history, marked by divine intervention and specific military strategies. Fortified cities like Ai were common in the ancient Near East, designed to withstand sieges. Attacking such cities required either prolonged siege warfare or cunning tactics to draw defenders out. Feigned retreats were a recognized, though risky, military stratagem in ancient warfare, relying heavily on the enemy's psychological response. The reference to "as at the first" directly taps into the recent memory of Israel's ignominious defeat at Ai (recounted in [Joshua 7:4-5](/joshua/7-4 "Joshua 7:4-5 - The First Defeat at Ai")), which was a profound national humiliation. This cultural memory, coupled with Ai's presumed arrogance from their prior success, made the decoy tactic particularly potent and believable to the inhabitants of Ai.

* **Key Themes:** [Joshua 8](/joshua/8 "Joshua 8 - The Conquest of Ai") as a whole, and verse 6 in particular, powerfully illustrates several key themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Strategy and Human Obedience**. God provides the plan, but Israel must meticulously execute it, demonstrating that divine guidance often works through human effort and cleverness. Secondly, the phrase "as at the first" underscores the theme of **Learning from Failure**. The painful lesson of Achan's sin and the subsequent defeat was not forgotten; it became a psychological weapon in the new strategy, turning past humiliation into a tool for future victory. Thirdly, the verse exemplifies the **Psychology of Warfare** and the danger of **Overconfidence**. Ai's expected reaction, based on their previous success, leads them directly into a trap, serving as a cautionary tale against hubris. This strategic deception is a testament to God's comprehensive wisdom, which encompasses not only spiritual purity but also practical, effective means of achieving His purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Drawn (Hebrew, _mashakh'_):** This verb (מָשַׁךְ) means "to draw out," "to pull," or "to prolong." In this context, it signifies a deliberate, active pulling out of the enemy from their place of security. It's not merely a passive following, but an intentional enticement or lure that requires the Israelites to maintain the appearance of flight for a sufficient duration to achieve their objective. The term emphasizes the strategic purpose of the feigned retreat.
* **As at the first (Hebrew, _ka-ba-ri'shonah'_):** This phrase (כַּבָּרִאשֹׁנָה) is a direct, emphatic reference to the previous battle against Ai described in [Joshua 7:4-5](/joshua/7-4 "Joshua 7:4-5 - Israel's First Defeat at Ai"). The prefixed "ka-" (כַּ) means "as" or "like," and "ri'shonah" (רִאשֹׁנָה) means "first" or "former." This seemingly simple phrase encapsulates a profound psychological dimension: it exploits the memory of Israel's defeat and Ai's subsequent overconfidence. It implies that Ai's leaders would interpret Israel's retreat as a repeat of their earlier rout, confirming their own perceived superiority and leading them to abandon their defenses without suspicion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"(For they will come out after us)":** This parenthetical clause reveals the anticipated response of the men of Ai. It indicates a certainty in the strategic plan, based on an understanding of the enemy's likely reaction to a feigned retreat, especially given their previous victory over Israel. It sets the stage for the decoy's success.
* **"till we have drawn them from the city;":** This clause states the primary objective of the feigned retreat. The strategic goal is not merely to engage the enemy, but to specifically lure them away from the protective walls of Ai, rendering their fortified position useless and exposing them to the hidden ambush force. This highlights the precision and purposefulness of the divine strategy.
* **"for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first:":** This explains the psychological reasoning behind Ai's anticipated pursuit. The men of Ai are expected to interpret Israel's retreat as a genuine rout, mirroring their previous easy victory. This demonstrates the exploitation of Ai's hubris and the power of past events to shape present perceptions, leading to a fatal miscalculation on their part.
* **"therefore we will flee before them.":** This final clause details Israel's specific action in the decoy tactic. It is a deliberate, calculated "flight" — a strategic maneuver rather than a genuine surrender. This emphasizes the disciplined obedience of the Israelite army to Joshua's (and God's) precise instructions, executing a counter-intuitive action for a greater strategic purpose.

#### Literary Devices
Joshua 8:6 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its strategic depth. **Foreshadowing** and **Anticipation** are prominent, as the verse explicitly predicts the actions and thoughts of the men of Ai ("For they will come out after us," "for they will say"). This narrative technique builds tension and highlights the meticulous planning involved. **Irony** is also central: Ai's overconfidence, stemming from their previous "victory" (which was actually a divine judgment against Israel's sin), becomes the very instrument of their downfall. They believe they are repeating a success, but they are walking into a trap. The phrase "as at the first" functions as a powerful **Echo** or **Allusion**, directly referencing the earlier narrative of [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin and Defeat at Ai"), thereby connecting the two events and emphasizing the theme of learning from past experiences. Finally, the entire verse is an exposition of **Military Strategy** and **Deception**, showcasing how God's plans can involve human ingenuity and calculated maneuvers to achieve victory, even in seemingly paradoxical ways.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 8:6 offers profound theological insights into the nature of divine warfare and the interplay between God's sovereignty and human responsibility. It demonstrates that God's wisdom is not limited to overt miracles but can also manifest through clever, counter-intuitive strategies that leverage human psychology and military tactics. The verse underscores that repentance and obedience (as seen after Achan's sin) restore God's favor, enabling Him to grant victory even through seemingly vulnerable means. It highlights the danger of human pride and overconfidence, as Ai's past success blinds them to the true nature of Israel's "retreat." The Lord's guidance ensures that the "weakness" of the feigned retreat becomes the strength of the ambush, proving that no human wisdom or strength can ultimately thwart God's purposes.

* [Proverbs 21:30](/proverbs/21-30 "Proverbs 21:30 - No Wisdom Against the Lord"): "There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the LORD." This proverb directly aligns with Ai's fatal miscalculation, illustrating that their human wisdom and overconfidence were no match for God's strategic plan.
* [Judges 20:29-48](/judges/20-29 "Judges 20:29-48 - Israel's Ambush of Gibeah"): This passage describes another instance in Israelite history where a feigned retreat and ambush tactic was successfully employed, demonstrating a recurring, divinely-sanctioned military strategy.
* [1 Samuel 23:9](/1_samuel/23-9 "1 Samuel 23:9 - David's Inquiry of the Lord"): David's consistent inquiry of the Lord for strategic guidance in battle mirrors Joshua's reliance on divine instruction, showing that even human military actions are to be submitted to God's will.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 8:6 serves as a powerful reminder that God's ways are often not our ways, and His strategies can appear paradoxical from a human perspective. Just as Israel had to feign weakness to achieve victory, we too may be called to embrace humility or appear vulnerable in certain situations, trusting that God is working through our obedience. This verse encourages us to learn from our past failures, not to be paralyzed by them, but to allow them to inform our future strategies and deepen our reliance on God. The overconfidence of Ai stands as a stark warning against pride, urging us to remain humble even in success, recognizing that true victory comes from God alone. In our own lives, whether in personal struggles, ministry, or professional endeavors, we are called to seek divine wisdom, to plan diligently, and to act in faith, even when God's path seems counter-intuitive or requires us to step outside our comfort zones, trusting that He is orchestrating events for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this account challenge our conventional understanding of "strength" and "weakness" in spiritual or personal battles?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be relying on past successes or personal strength, potentially leading to overconfidence?**
* **How can past failures, like Israel's at Ai, be transformed into valuable lessons and strategic advantages in your current circumstances?**
* **What does Joshua 8:6 teach us about the balance between diligent human planning and absolute reliance on God's divine guidance?**

### FAQ
**Question? Why did God command a strategy involving deception, like a feigned retreat?**

Answer: The use of deception in warfare, particularly against enemies who were resisting God's purposes for His people, is a recurring theme in the Old Testament (e.g., Rahab's deception in [Joshua 2](/joshua/2 "Joshua 2 - Rahab and the Spies"), Gideon's tactics in [Judges 7](/judges/7 "Judges 7 - Gideon's Victory")). From a biblical perspective, within the context of ancient warfare and the specific divine mandate for the conquest of Canaan, such tactics were considered legitimate means of achieving victory against hostile nations. It's crucial to understand this within its specific historical and theological context, where God Himself was leading His people in a holy war to establish His covenant nation. This is not a blanket endorsement of deception in all circumstances, but rather an example of God utilizing various means, including clever military strategy, to fulfill His sovereign plan.

**Question? What was the significance of the phrase "as at the first" for the men of Ai?**

Answer: The phrase "as at the first" (כַּבָּרִאשֹׁנָה) was profoundly significant because it directly exploited the memory of Israel's previous, humiliating defeat at Ai (recounted in [Joshua 7:4-5](/joshua/7-4 "Joshua 7:4-5 - The First Defeat at Ai")). For the men of Ai, this phrase would have triggered a sense of triumph and overconfidence. They would have seen Israel's feigned retreat as a repeat of their earlier rout, confirming their own perceived superiority and leading them to believe that victory was easily within their grasp. This psychological element was critical to the success of the ambush, as it caused Ai's defenders to abandon their secure city walls and pursue the "fleeing" Israelites directly into the trap. It highlights how past events, and the interpretation of them, can profoundly influence future actions, sometimes to one's own detriment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Joshua 8:6 describes a military strategy, its underlying principles resonate deeply with the greater spiritual warfare won by Christ. The feigned retreat of Israel, appearing weak and fleeing, foreshadows the ultimate "weakness" displayed on the cross. To human eyes, Jesus' crucifixion seemed like a complete defeat, a humiliating rout of God's plan, much like Israel's first defeat at Ai. Yet, this apparent weakness was the ultimate strategic maneuver, drawing out the enemy of sin and death. Satan, in his overconfidence, believed he had achieved a decisive victory, much like the men of Ai presuming Israel's flight was genuine. However, Christ's death was not a defeat but the very means by which He disarmed the powers and authorities, triumphing over them by the cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Principalities")). The cross, seemingly a place of vulnerability and shame, was God's ambush, conquering sin and death where they thought they had won. Just as Israel's "first" defeat was turned into a strategic advantage for a greater victory, so too the "first" Adam's sin and humanity's subsequent bondage were ultimately overcome by the "second Adam," Christ, who through His death and resurrection secured a definitive and eternal triumph, leading His people to the promised land of eternal life ([1 Corinthians 15:22](/1_corinthians/15-22 "1 Corinthians 15:22 - In Adam All Die, In Christ All Made Alive") and [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Defeat of Death")).

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

Judges 20:32

And the children of Benjamin said, They [are] smitten down before us, as at the first. But the children of Israel said, Let us flee, and draw them from the city unto the highways.

Ecclesiastes 8:11

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

Exodus 14:3

For Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, They [are] entangled in the land, the wilderness hath shut them in.

Exodus 15:9

The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.

Ecclesiastes 9:12

For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so [are] the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.