And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.

JOSHUA 8:24KJV
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Joshua 8:24 (KJV)

What does Joshua 8:24 mean?

Joshua 8:24 describes how, after Israel had finished defeating all the people of Ai who were out in the open country, the Israelites returned to the city itself and struck down everyone there with the sword. The verse emphasizes the thoroughness of Israel’s victory both outside and inside the city.

In this scene, the book of Joshua is recounting the aftermath of a battle led by Joshua against the city of Ai. The Israelites first chased and defeated the defenders in the fields and wilderness, then went back to the city to finish the conquest. The verse highlights the complete destruction of Ai’s inhabitants as part of Israel’s campaign to take the land.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 8:24

  • The word for "end" (כָּלָה, kalah) means to finish or complete. Here, it shows that the Israelites did not stop until the task was fully done.
  • "Edge" (פֶּה, peh) literally means "mouth," but in this context, it refers to the sharp edge or "mouth" of the sword, a common Hebrew way of describing being killed by the sword.
  • "Consumed" (תָּמַם, tamam) means to be finished or brought to completion, reinforcing the idea that no one was left.

Why Joshua 8:24 matters

  • Joshua 8:24 clarifies that the victory over Ai was total, not just a partial defeat or a scattering of the enemy; this is important for understanding the completeness of Israel’s conquest.
  • The verse connects to the larger narrative by showing Israel’s obedience to God’s instructions for this particular battle, in contrast to their earlier failure at Ai.
  • The detail about the Israelites returning to Ai after fighting in the field helps the reader visualize the sequence of the battle and the methodical way the city was taken.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“consumed” Hebrew H8552 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
  • Joshua 5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
  • Isaiah 16:4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

“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.