Joshua 8:16

And all the people that [were] in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.

And all the people {H5971} that were in Ai {H5857}{H5892} were called {H2199} together to pursue {H7291} after {H310} them: and they pursued {H7291} after {H310} Joshua {H3091}, and were drawn away {H5423} from the city {H5892}.

All the people in 'Ai were summoned together to pursue them, so they chased Y'hoshua and were drawn away from the city.

Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city.

And all the people that were in the city were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.

Commentary

Joshua 8:16 describes a pivotal moment in Israel's second military engagement with the city of Ai. Following their initial, humiliating defeat (due to Achan's sin, detailed in Joshua chapter 7), God had given Joshua a specific, intricate strategy for victory.

Context of Joshua 8:16

This verse is part of the detailed account of Israel's successful second attempt to conquer Ai. After receiving divine instructions from God (as recorded in Joshua 8:1-2), Joshua deployed his forces. The strategy involved an ambush party hidden behind the city, while the main Israelite army, led by Joshua, feigned a retreat. Verse 16 highlights the critical success of this tactical deception: the entire defending force of Ai was lured out of the city, leaving it undefended and ripe for the ambush.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Strategic Deception: The verse showcases the effectiveness of Joshua's military strategy, which was divinely inspired. The feigned retreat successfully drew the enemy out, demonstrating God's wisdom in warfare.
  • The Trap is Set: "Drawn away from the city" signifies the moment the trap sprung. The people of Ai, eager to repeat their earlier victory, pursued Israel, unwittingly abandoning their fortified position and sealing their own fate.
  • Vulnerability and Overconfidence: Ai's defenders, perhaps emboldened by their previous success against Israel, pursued them relentlessly, failing to recognize the strategic vulnerability this created for their city. Their overconfidence led directly to their downfall.
  • Divine Guidance and Obedience: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the entire campaign against Ai was orchestrated by God. Joshua's strict adherence to God's commands (as seen in Joshua 8:8, for example) was crucial to the success of this intricate plan.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase translated "drawn away" (ื ึดืฉึฐึผืื›ื•ึผ - nishkevu, from the root ืฉืื›ืš - shakakh) can imply being enticed, lured, or stretched out. It effectively conveys the idea that the people of Ai were not merely chasing, but were actively pulled further and further from their city's defenses, falling completely into the Israelite trap.

Practical Application

Joshua 8:16 offers insights into various aspects of life:

  • Learning from Past Failures: Just as Israel learned from their initial defeat at Ai, we too can adapt and overcome challenges by seeking divine wisdom and employing new strategies.
  • The Power of Strategy and Patience: Sometimes victory requires more than brute force; it demands careful planning, patience, and the ability to execute a well-thought-out strategy.
  • Beware of Overconfidence: The people of Ai's eagerness to pursue highlights the danger of overconfidence, which can blind us to potential dangers or traps. Humility and careful assessment are always wise.
  • God's Orchestration: Even in complex situations, God can orchestrate events to bring about His purposes, often using unexpected means or seemingly disadvantageous positions to achieve ultimate victory.

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Cross-References

  • Judges 20:31 (4 votes)

    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 20:36 (2 votes)

    So the children of Benjamin saw that they were smitten: for the men of Israel gave place to the Benjamites, because they trusted unto the liers in wait which they had set beside Gibeah.

  • Judges 20:39 (2 votes)

    And when the men of Israel retired in the battle, Benjamin began to smite [and] kill of the men of Israel about thirty persons: for they said, Surely they are smitten down before us, as [in] the first battle.

  • Revelation 16:14 (2 votes)

    For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, [which] go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

  • Joshua 8:5 (2 votes)

    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,

  • Joshua 8:6 (2 votes)

    (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.

  • Ezekiel 38:11 (2 votes)

    And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,