Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version I and all those with me will advance on the city, and when the men come out against us, as they did before, we will flee from them. New Living Translation When our main army attacks, the men of Ai will come out to fight as they did before, and we will run away from them. English Standard Version And I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out against us just as before, we shall flee before them. Berean Standard Bible 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. King James Bible 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, New King James Version Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city; and it will come about, when they come out against us as at the first, that we shall flee before them. New American Standard Bible Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out to meet us as they did the first time, we will flee before them. NASB 1995 “Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out to meet us as at the first, we will flee before them. NASB 1977 “Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And it will come about when they come out to meet us as at the first, that we will flee before them. Legacy Standard Bible Then I and all the people who are with me will come near the city. And it will be that when they come out to meet us as at the first, we will flee before them. Amplified Bible Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out to meet us [for battle] as [they did] the first time, we will run away from them. Christian Standard Bible Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them. Holman Christian Standard Bible Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them. American Standard Version 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; English Revised Version 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; GOD'S WORD® Translation I'll approach the city with the rest of the troops. When they come out to attack us as they did the first time, we will run away from them. Good News Translation My men and I will approach the city. When the men of Ai come out against us, we will turn and run, just as we did the first time. International Standard Version I and all of the army with me will advance upon the city. When they come out after us like they did before, we'll run away from them. Majority Standard Bible 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. NET Bible I and all the troops who are with me will approach the city. When they come out to fight us like before, we will retreat from them. New Heart English Bible I, and all the people who are with me, will approach to the city. It shall happen, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them. Webster's Bible Translation And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach to the city: and it shall come to pass when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, World English Bible I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. It shall happen, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand I and all the people who [are] with me draw near to the city, and it has come to pass, when they come out to meet us as at the first, and we have fled before them, Young's Literal Translation and I and all the people who are with me draw near unto the city, and it hath come to pass when they come out to meet us as at the first, and we have fled before them, Smith's Literal Translation And I and all the people that are with me will draw near to the city: and it was when they shall come forth to our meeting as at the first, and we fled before them. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut I and the rest of the multitude which is with me; will approach on the contrary side against the city. And when they shall come out against us, we will flee, and turn our backs, as we did before: Catholic Public Domain Version But I and the remainder of the multitude that is with me will approach from the opposite side of the city. And when they come out against us, we will flee and turn our backs, just as we did before, New American Bible The rest of the people and I will come up to the city, and when they make a sortie against us as they did the last time, we will flee from them. New Revised Standard Version I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. When they come out against us, as before, we shall flee from them. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd I and the men that are with me will approach the city; and it shall come to pass, when they first come out against us, we will flee before them; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And I and people that is with me shall come to the city and when they have come out to meet us, as at the first, behold we flee from before them OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And 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. Brenton Septuagint Translation Land I and all with me will draw near to the city: and it shall come to pass when the inhabitants of Gai shall come forth to meet us, as before, that we will flee from before them. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Conquest of Ai…4with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready. 5Then 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. 6They 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,… Cross References Joshua 6:2-5 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. / March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. / Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. ... Judges 20:29-30 So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah. / On the third day the Israelites went up against the Benjamites and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as they had done before. 2 Samuel 5:23-25 So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. / 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.” / So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 2 Kings 7:12 So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’” 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. Exodus 17:9-13 So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.” / Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. / As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed. ... Numbers 31:3-5 So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them. / Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.” / So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war. Deuteronomy 20:1-4 When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. / When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, / saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. ... 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” 1 Kings 20:29-30 For seven days the armies camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle ensued, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans—a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day. / The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Luke 14:31-32 Or what king on his way to war with another king will not first sit down and consider whether he can engage with ten thousand men the one coming against him with twenty thousand? / And if he is unable, he will send a delegation while the other king is still far off, to ask for terms of peace. Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the flesh. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. Ephesians 6:10-11 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. Treasury of Scripture And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach to the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, as at 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. that we will Judges 20:31-33 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… 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. Jump to Previous Advance Approach City Draw MeetJump to Next Advance Approach City Draw MeetJoshua 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 Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city. This phrase indicates a strategic military maneuver led by Joshua. The context is the battle against Ai, following the initial defeat due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7). Joshua's leadership is crucial, as he follows God's renewed instructions for victory. The phrase "advance on the city" suggests a direct approach, which is part of a larger ambush strategy. This reflects the importance of obedience to divine guidance in achieving success. The city of Ai, located near Bethel, was a significant Canaanite stronghold, and its capture was vital for Israel's conquest of the Promised Land. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel, chosen by God to succeed Moses and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in this passage, orchestrating the military strategy against Ai. 2. The Troops The Israelite soldiers who are under Joshua's command. They play a crucial role in executing the strategy to capture Ai. 3. Ai A Canaanite city that the Israelites are attempting to conquer. It represents a significant challenge due to a previous defeat. 4. The Men of Ai The defenders of the city who previously defeated the Israelites. They are expected to react similarly to the first encounter. 5. The Strategy A tactical plan involving a feigned retreat to draw the men of Ai out of the city, allowing the Israelites to capture it. Teaching Points Strategic ObedienceJoshua's plan demonstrates the importance of following God's guidance in our endeavors. We should seek divine wisdom in our strategies, whether in spiritual battles or daily decisions. Learning from Past Mistakes The Israelites' previous defeat at Ai teaches us to learn from our failures. We should examine our lives for areas of disobedience or sin that may hinder our success. Faith and Action Joshua's leadership shows the balance between faith in God's promises and taking decisive action. We are called to trust God while actively participating in His plans. The Power of Unity The success of the strategy depended on the unity and cooperation of the troops. In our Christian walk, unity with fellow believers strengthens our efforts and witness. God's Sovereignty in Battle The passage reminds us that ultimate victory comes from the Lord. We should rely on His sovereignty and not solely on human strength or wisdom.Verse 5. - We will flee before them. A common expedient of a sagacious general when contending with undisciplined troops is a strong position. Many instances will occur to the student of history, and among others the celebrated feigned flight of William the Conqueror at Hastings. St. Augustine doubts whether this stratagem were lawful. Cajetan and the Jesuit commentators reply that it was so "quia mendacium non tam facile committitur factis, quam verbis" (Cornelius a Lapide). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Then Iוַאֲנִ֗י (wa·’ă·nî) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular Strong's 589: I and all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the troops הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock with me אִתִּ֔י (’it·tî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among will advance נִקְרַ֖ב (niq·raḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 7126: To come near, approach on the city. הָעִ֑יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement When כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction they come out יֵצְא֤וּ (yê·ṣə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim against us לִקְרָאתֵ֙נוּ֙ (liq·rā·ṯê·nū) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | first person common plural Strong's 7125: Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way as כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that they did the first time, בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֔ה (bā·ri·šō·nāh) Preposition-b, Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7223: First, in place, time, rank we will flee וְנַ֖סְנוּ (wə·nas·nū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common plural Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away from them. לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃ (lip̄·nê·hem) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural Strong's 6440: The face Links Joshua 8:5 NIVJoshua 8:5 NLT Joshua 8:5 ESV Joshua 8:5 NASB Joshua 8:5 KJV Joshua 8:5 BibleApps.com Joshua 8:5 Biblia Paralela Joshua 8:5 Chinese Bible Joshua 8:5 French Bible Joshua 8:5 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 8:5 I and all the people who (Josh. 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