Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The men of Ai looked back and saw the smoke of the city rising up into the sky, but they had no chance to escape in any direction; the Israelites who had been fleeing toward the wilderness had turned back against their pursuers. New Living Translation When the men of Ai looked behind them, smoke from the town was filling the sky, and they had nowhere to go. For the Israelites who had fled in the direction of the wilderness now turned on their pursuers. English Standard Version So when the men of Ai looked back, behold, the smoke of the city went up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that, for the people who fled to the wilderness turned back against the pursuers. Berean Standard Bible When 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 turned against their pursuers. King James Bible And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. New King James Version And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven. So they had no power to flee this way or that way, and the people who had fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers. New American Standard Bible When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers. NASB 1995 When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers. NASB 1977 When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers. Legacy Standard Bible Then the men of Ai turned back and looked, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers. Amplified Bible When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city was ascending toward the sky, and they had no opportunity to run this way or that way. Then the people who had been running to the wilderness turned back toward the pursuers. Christian Standard Bible The men of Ai turned and looked back, and smoke from the city was rising to the sky! They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers. Holman Christian Standard Bible The men of Ai turned and looked back, and smoke from the city was rising to the sky! They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers. American Standard Version And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. English Revised Version And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. GOD'S WORD® Translation When the men of Ai looked back, they could see the city going up in smoke. They had no place to go, since the Israelites, who had been running toward the desert, had now turned back on them. Good News Translation When the men of Ai looked back, they saw the smoke rising to the sky. There was no way for them to escape, because the Israelites who had run toward the barren country now turned around to attack them. International Standard Version Then the men of Ai looked back behind them—and all of a sudden!—smoke from the city was rising into the sky. They were unable to run in any direction, because the Israelis who had fled toward the wilderness had turned around to attack their pursuers. Majority Standard Bible When 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 turned against their pursuers. NET Bible When the men of Ai turned around, they saw the smoke from the city ascending into the sky and were so shocked they were unable to flee in any direction. In the meantime the men who were retreating to the desert turned against their pursuers. New Heart English Bible When the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and look, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way. The people who fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers. Webster's Bible Translation And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. World English Bible When the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way. The people who fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the men of Ai look behind them, and see, and behold, the smoke of the city has gone up to the heavens, and there has not been power in them to flee here and there—and the people who are fleeing to the wilderness have turned against the pursuer— Young's Literal Translation And the men of Ai look behind them, and see, and lo, the smoke of the city hath gone up unto the heavens, and there hath not been in them power to flee hither and thither -- and the people who are fleeing to the wilderness have turned against the pursuer, -- Smith's Literal Translation And the men of Ai will turn back behind them and will see, and behold, the smoke of the city went up to the heavens, and there was not with them hands to flee hither and thither: and the people having fled, turned back to the pursuers. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the men of the city, that pursued after Josue, looking back and seeing the smoke of the city rise up to heaven, had no more power to flee this way or that way: especially as they that had counterfeited flight, end were going toward the wilderness, turned back most valiantly against them that pursued. Catholic Public Domain Version Now the men of the city who were pursuing Joshua, looking back and seeing the smoke of the city rising up even to heaven, were no longer able to flee in one direction or another, especially since those who had pretended to flee, and who were heading toward the wilderness, had turned back very strongly against those who were pursuing them. New American Bible By the time the army of Ai looked back, the smoke from the city was going up to the heavens. Escape in any direction was impossible, because the Israelites retreating toward the wilderness now turned on their pursuers; New Revised Standard Version So when the men of Ai looked back, the smoke of the city was rising to the sky. They had no power to flee this way or that, for the people who fled to the wilderness turned back against the pursuers. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw the smoke of their city going up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way; and the people of Israel that fled to the wilderness turned back upon their pursuers. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the men of Ai turned their back and they saw the smoke of their city ascending unto Heaven, and they could not flee here or there, and the people of Israel who had fled into the wilderness turned back against its pursuers OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way; and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. Brenton Septuagint Translation And when the inhabitants of Gai looked round behind them, then they saw the smoke going up out of the city to heaven, and they were no longer able to flee this way or that way. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Conquest of Ai…19and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire. 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.… Cross References Exodus 14:24-25 At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. / He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!” Judges 20:36-41 Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah. / The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword. / The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, ... 2 Kings 3:22-23 When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way. / “This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!” 2 Samuel 5:24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” Isaiah 13:6-8 Wail, for the Day of the LORD is near; it will come as destruction from the Almighty. / Therefore all hands will fall limp, and every man’s heart will melt. / Terror, pain, and anguish will seize them; they will writhe like a woman in labor. They will look at one another, their faces flushed with fear. Jeremiah 51:30-32 The warriors of Babylon have stopped fighting; they sit in their strongholds. Their strength is exhausted; they have become like women. Babylon’s homes have been set ablaze, the bars of her gates are broken. / One courier races to meet another, and messenger follows messenger, to announce to the king of Babylon that his city has been captured from end to end. / The fords have been seized, the marshes set on fire, and the soldiers are terrified.” Ezekiel 21:22 In his right hand appears the portent for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to call for the slaughter, to lift a battle cry, to direct the battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp, and to erect a siege wall. 1 Samuel 14:16 Now when Saul’s watchmen at Gibeah in Benjamin looked and saw the troops melting away and scattering in every direction, 2 Kings 19:35 And that very night the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! Isaiah 37:36 Then the angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 men in the camp of the Assyrians. When the people got up the next morning, there were all the dead bodies! Revelation 18:9-10 Then the kings of the earth who committed sexual immorality and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. / In fear of her torment, they will stand at a distance and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, the mighty city of Babylon! For in a single hour your judgment has come.” Matthew 24:30 At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Luke 21:25-27 There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth dismay among the nations, bewildered by the roaring of the sea and the surging of the waves. / Men will faint from fear and anxiety over what is coming upon the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. / At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. Revelation 6:15-17 Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?” 1 Thessalonians 5:3 While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. Treasury of Scripture And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers. the smoke Genesis 19:28 And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace. Isaiah 34:10 It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever. Revelation 18:9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, and they had Job 11:20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost. Psalm 48:5,6 They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away… Psalm 76:5 The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands. power [heb] hand Jump to Previous Ai Ascended City Heaven Power Pursuers Smoke Turned Way WildernessJump to Next Ai Ascended City Heaven Power Pursuers Smoke Turned Way WildernessJoshua 8 1. God encourages Joshua3. The plan whereby Ai was taken 29. The king thereof is hanged 30. Joshua builds an altar 32. writes the law on stones 33. and pronounces the blessings and curses When the men of Ai turned and looked back This phrase highlights a pivotal moment in the battle strategy orchestrated by Joshua. The men of Ai, confident in their initial pursuit of the Israelites, are caught off guard. This turning back signifies a realization of their vulnerability. Biblically, this moment echoes the theme of divine intervention and strategic wisdom granted to Israel, reminiscent of other instances where God confounds Israel's enemies, such as in Exodus 14:24-25 during the crossing of the Red Sea. 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 turned against their pursuers Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, who succeeded Moses and led the people into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. 2. Ai A Canaanite city that the Israelites attacked and eventually conquered. The initial defeat at Ai was due to Achan's sin, but this passage describes the successful second attempt. 3. The Israelites The people of God, chosen to inherit the Promised Land. They are executing God's judgment on the Canaanite cities as part of their divine mandate. 4. The Men of Ai The defenders of the city of Ai, who initially repelled the Israelites but were ultimately defeated due to a strategic ambush. 5. The Ambush A military tactic used by Joshua and the Israelites to deceive and defeat the men of Ai, involving a feigned retreat and a surprise attack. Teaching Points The Importance of ObedienceThe initial defeat at Ai was due to disobedience. Obedience to God is crucial for success in our spiritual battles. God's Strategic Wisdom Just as God provided Joshua with a strategy for victory, He offers us wisdom and guidance in our daily lives. The Power of Repentance and Restoration After dealing with Achan's sin, the Israelites were restored and able to achieve victory. Repentance restores our relationship with God. Trust in God's Timing The Israelites had to wait for God's instruction before attacking Ai again. Trusting in God's timing is essential for our spiritual journey. Victory Through Faith The Israelites' victory at Ai was a result of faith in God's promises. Our faith in Christ assures us of victory over life's challenges.Verse 20. - And they had no power. Literally, no hands. Our version here follows the Arabic, Syriac, and Chaldee versions. The LXX. and Vulgate render no direction in which to fly. But in this case לָהֶם would seem preferable to בָהֶם. The Vulgate translates the last clause of the verse, "Praesertim cum hi, qui simulaverint fugam... fortissime restitissent." They could not flee back to the city, for it was in flames. They could not advance northward, because the Israelites had faced about and were coming to meet them. To flee in any other direction would be to cut off the last hope of saving the city. For יָד in the sense of side or direction, however, see Exodus 2:5; Deuteronomy 2:37, and especially the dual, as here, in Genesis 34:21; Isaiah 33:21. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew When the menאַנְשֵׁי֩ (’an·šê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person of Ai הָעַ֨י (hā·‘ay) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5857: Ai -- a Canaanite city turned וַיִּפְנ֣וּ (way·yip̄·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look and looked וַיִּרְא֗וּ (way·yir·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7200: To see back, אַחֲרֵיהֶ֜ם (’a·ḥă·rê·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's 310: The hind or following part the smoke עֲשַׁ֤ן (‘ă·šan) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 6227: Smoke of the city הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement was rising עָלָ֜ה (‘ā·lāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively to the sky. הַשָּׁמַ֔יְמָה (haš·šā·may·māh) Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky They could not וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no escape לָנ֖וּס (lā·nūs) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away in any direction, הֵ֣נָּה (hên·nāh) Adverb Strong's 2008: Hither, thither and the troops וְהָעָם֙ (wə·hā·‘ām) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock who had fled הַנָּ֣ס (han·nās) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away to the wilderness הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר (ham·miḏ·bār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech now became the pursuers. הָרוֹדֵֽף׃ (hā·rō·w·ḏêp̄) Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute Links Joshua 8:20 NIVJoshua 8:20 NLT Joshua 8:20 ESV Joshua 8:20 NASB Joshua 8:20 KJV Joshua 8:20 BibleApps.com Joshua 8:20 Biblia Paralela Joshua 8:20 Chinese Bible Joshua 8:20 French Bible Joshua 8:20 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 8:20 When the men of Ai looked behind (Josh. 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