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.

JOSHUA 7:5KJV
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Joshua 7:5 (KJV)

What does Joshua 7:5 mean?

Joshua 7:5 describes how the men of Ai killed about thirty-six Israelites, chased them away from the city gate to a place called Shebarim, and struck them down as they fled, causing the Israelites to lose heart and become deeply afraid. This verse shows a surprising defeat for Israel, leaving the people discouraged and shaken.

The setting is after Israel’s earlier victories in Canaan, with Joshua leading the people. Here, Israel attacks the small city of Ai but suffers an unexpected loss, which is notable because God had been giving them victories before. The verse highlights the shock and fear that spread among the Israelites after this defeat, setting up the need to understand why things went wrong.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 7:5

  • "Smote" (נָכָה, nakah): This word means to strike or kill, emphasizing that the Israelites suffered real casualties, not just a retreat.
  • "Melted" (מָסַס, masas): The phrase "the hearts of the people melted" uses a word that suggests their courage dissolved completely, like something melting away, showing the depth of their fear and despair.
  • "Shebarim" (שְׁבָרִים, Shebarim): This place name comes from a word meaning "breaks" or "ruins," possibly hinting at a rocky or broken area where the Israelites were cut down, adding to the sense of disaster.

Why Joshua 7:5 matters

  • Joshua 7:5 marks a turning point, showing that Israel’s success was not guaranteed and depended on more than military strength.
  • The verse prepares the reader for the explanation that follows, prompting the question of why Israel failed after previous victories.
  • The strong language about the people’s hearts melting reveals how deeply this defeat shook the nation, highlighting the seriousness of what happened at Ai.

Where else these words appear

“down” Hebrew H4174 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 10:11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
  • 1 Kings 7:29 And on the borders that were between the ledges were lions, oxen, and cherubims: and upon the ledges there was a base above: and beneath the lions and oxen were certain additions made of thin work.
  • Jeremiah 48:5 For in the going up of Luhith continual weeping shall go up; for in the going down of Horonaim the enemies have heard a cry of destruction.

“melted” Hebrew H4549 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 16:21 And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted.
  • 1 Samuel 15:9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
  • Isaiah 10:18 And shall consume the glory of his forest, and of his fruitful field, both soul and body: and they shall be as when a standardbearer fainteth.

“Ai” Hebrew H5857 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 12:8 And he removed from thence unto a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the LORD, and called upon the name of the LORD.
  • Joshua 8:12 And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
  • Joshua 8:28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.

“chased” Hebrew H7291 · used in 135 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Judges 8:5 And he said unto the men of Succoth, Give, I pray you, loaves of bread unto the people that follow me; for they be faint, and I am pursuing after Zebah and Zalmunna, kings of Midian.
  • Psalms 69:26 For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.