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.

JOSHUA 8:22KJV
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Joshua 8:22 (KJV)

What does Joshua 8:22 mean?

Joshua 8:22 describes how the Israelite soldiers trapped the men of Ai by attacking them from both sides, surrounding them so completely that none of their enemies survived or escaped. The verse emphasizes the total defeat of Ai’s forces during this battle.

In this scene, Joshua is leading Israel in a planned ambush against the city of Ai. Some Israelite troops had hidden behind the city, while others drew Ai’s army out. When the hidden group attacked from the rear, the enemy was caught in the middle—Israelites on both sides. The verse highlights the effectiveness of the strategy and the complete destruction of Ai’s army.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 8:22

  • "מִן־הָעִיר" (min-ha‘ir, “out of the city”): This phrase shows that the ambush group came from inside or behind the city, not just from the front, making the trap possible.
  • "בְּתוֹךְ" (betoḵ, “midst”): This word means “in the middle of,” stressing that Ai’s men were surrounded on all sides, with no way out.
  • "הִכּוּם" (hikkum, “they smote”): This verb means to strike or attack, emphasizing the decisive and violent action taken by the Israelites.

Why Joshua 8:22 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Israel’s victory was not by chance but by careful planning and execution, showing the importance of strategy in the narrative.
  • The complete destruction of Ai’s army fulfills earlier instructions and warnings, connecting to the themes of obedience and judgment in Joshua.
  • Understanding the ambush tactic helps readers see how the Israelites learned from their earlier defeat at Ai and adapted their approach, which is a key turning point in the story.

Where else these words appear

“other” Hebrew H428 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 2:4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,
  • Numbers 10:28 Thus were the journeyings of the children of Israel according to their armies, when they set forward.
  • 1 Chronicles 23:4 Of which, twenty and four thousand were to set forward the work of the house of the LORD; and six thousand were officers and judges:

“escape” Hebrew H6412 · used in 21 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Isaiah 66:19 And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles.
  • Ezekiel 7:16 But they that escape of them shall escape, and shall be on the mountains like doves of the valleys, all of them mourning, every one for his iniquity.

“remain” Hebrew H8300 · used in 28 verses

  • Numbers 21:35 So they smote him, and his sons, and all his people, until there was none left him alive: and they possessed his land.
  • Joshua 10:39 And he took it, and the king thereof, and all the cities thereof; and they smote them with the edge of the sword, and utterly destroyed all the souls that were therein; he left none remaining: as he had done to Hebron, so he did to Debir, and to the king thereof; as he had done also to Libnah, and to her king.
  • Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah.

“that” Hebrew H5704 · used in 97 verses

  • Genesis 3:19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.
  • 1 Samuel 20:23 And as touching the matter which thou and I have spoken of, behold, the LORD be between thee and me for ever.
  • Job 38:11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?