Bible/Joshua/8

Joshua 8:21

8:20 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. power: Heb. hand
And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.

KJV

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When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and killed the men of Ai.

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.

8:22 And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.

What does Joshua 8:21 mean?

Joshua 8:21 is a verse in the book of Joshua, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ), יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl), רָאָה (râʼâh). It connects to 9 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

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And
when
JoshuaיְהוֹשׁוּעַYᵉhôwshûwaʻ/yeh-ho-shoo'-ah/H3091Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader
and
all
IsraelיִשְׂרָאֵלYisrâʼêl/yis-raw-ale'/H3478Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
sawרָאָהrâʼâh/raw-aw'/H7200to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
that
the
ambushאָרַבʼârab/aw-rab'/H693to lurk
had
takenלָכַדlâkad/law-kad'/H3920to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by lot); figuratively, to cohere
the
city,עִירʻîyr/eer/H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
and
that
the
smokeעָשָׁןʻâshân/aw-shawn'/H6227smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)
of
the
cityעִירʻîyr/eer/H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
ascended,עָלָהʻâlâh/aw-law'/H5927to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
then
they
turned
again,שׁוּבshûwb/shoob/H7725to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to retreat; often adverbial, again
and
slewנָכָהnâkâh/naw-kaw'/H5221to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
the
menאֱנוֹשׁʼĕnôwsh/en-oshe'/H582a man in general (singly or collectively)
of
Ai.עַיʻAy/ah'ee/H5857Ai, Aja or Ajath, a place in Palestine

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Numbers 27:16

Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,

Deuteronomy 3:28

But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.

Deuteronomy 31:7

And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.

Joshua 8:1

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

Isaiah 42:1

Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Hebrews 3:5

And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

Hebrews 3:6

But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

Hebrews 7:23

And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:

Hebrews 7:24

But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. an: or, which passeth not from one to another

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People & places in this verse

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Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Joshua 8:21.

Genesis 11:5

And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

Genesis 19:15

And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city. are here: Heb. are found iniquity: or, punishment

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.

Genesis 46:29

And Joseph made ready his chariot, and went up to meet Israel his father, to Goshen, and presented himself unto him; and he fell on his neck, and wept on his neck a good while.

Joshua 8:19

And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.

Judges 20:38

Now there was an appointed sign between the men of Israel and the liers in wait, that they should make a great flame with smoke rise up out of the city. sign: or, time and: Heb. with flame: Heb. elevation

Frequently asked questions

What does Joshua 8:21 say?

Joshua 8:21 (King James Version) reads: "And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai."

Is Joshua 8:21 in the Old or New Testament?

Joshua 8:21 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Joshua.

Reflect

As you read Joshua 8:21, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

Plan a sermon or study on Joshua 8:21
8:20Read all of Joshua 88:22