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.

JOSHUA 8:20KJV
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Joshua 8:20 (KJV)

What does Joshua 8:20 mean?

Joshua 8:20 describes the moment when the men of Ai realize their city is burning and they are trapped, unable to escape in any direction, while the Israelites who had pretended to flee turn back to confront them. This verse marks the turning point in the battle, showing the success of Joshua’s ambush against Ai.

The scene takes place during Joshua’s campaign to conquer Ai. Joshua had set an ambush behind the city, and when the men of Ai chased after what they thought was a fleeing Israelite army, the hidden Israelite force entered and set the city on fire. When the men of Ai looked back and saw the smoke rising, they understood they were surrounded and powerless to escape, while the Israelites regrouped to attack them from both sides.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 8:20

  • The word for "smoke" is עָשָׁן (‘ashan), which often signals destruction or judgment in the Hebrew Bible. Here, it is a visible sign to both the Israelites and the men of Ai that the city has fallen.
  • The word for "power" is יָד (yad), literally meaning "hand." In this context, it means the men of Ai had no ability or strength ("no hand") to escape, emphasizing their helplessness.
  • The word for "fled" is נוּס (nus), used twice: once for the Israelites’ feigned retreat and once for the men of Ai’s attempted escape. This repetition highlights the reversal of roles in the battle—those who seemed to be fleeing are now the attackers.

Why Joshua 8:20 matters

  • This verse clears up any confusion about the battle’s outcome by showing exactly when the tide turns against Ai, making it clear that the Israelite ambush worked as planned.
  • The verse emphasizes the total helplessness of Ai’s defenders, who are trapped with no way out, which underlines the completeness of Israel’s victory.
  • Joshua 8:20 connects to the larger story by demonstrating Joshua’s obedience to God’s strategy and the effectiveness of careful planning in achieving victory.

Where else these words appear

“way” Hebrew H2008 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
  • Genesis 44:28 And the one went out from me, and I said, Surely he is torn in pieces; and I saw him not since:
  • 2 Kings 8:7 And Elisha came to Damascus; and Benhadad the king of Syria was sick; and it was told him, saying, The man of God is come hither.

“smoke” Hebrew H6227 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
  • Psalms 18:8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
  • Isaiah 9:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire: it shall devour the briers and thorns, and shall kindle in the thickets of the forest, and they shall mount up like the lifting up of smoke.

“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 8:11 And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.
  • Joshua 8:28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.

“back” Hebrew H2015 · used in 92 verses

  • Genesis 3:24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.
  • 2 Kings 5:26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
  • Psalms 114:8 Which turned the rock into a standing water, the flint into a fountain of waters.