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 7:5KJVWhat 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.