And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,

JOSHUA 8:5KJV
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Joshua 8:5 (KJV)

What does Joshua 8:5 mean?

Joshua 8:5 describes Joshua telling his people that they will approach the city of Ai, and when the men of Ai come out to fight, just as they did before, Joshua and his people will pretend to run away from them. This is part of a military strategy where the Israelites will act as if they are fleeing to draw the enemy out of the city.

In this verse, Joshua is speaking to the Israelite army as he lays out the plan to capture Ai after their earlier defeat. The context is a carefully planned ambush: Joshua and his main force will make a show of retreat, tricking the defenders of Ai into leaving their city unprotected. This sets up the next steps in the strategy, where another group of Israelites will attack the city from behind.

The Hebrew behind Joshua 8:5

  • "people" (עָם, ʿam): This word refers to the group of Israelites with Joshua, emphasizing that the whole community is involved in the plan, not just a small group of soldiers.
  • "approach" (קָרַב, qarav): This verb means to draw near or come close. Here, it highlights the deliberate movement toward the city, showing that the Israelites are not sneaking but openly advancing as bait.
  • "flee" (נוּס, nus): This word means to run away or escape. Joshua is instructing his people to pretend to retreat, which is a key part of the deception in the battle plan.
  • "before" (פָּנִים, panim): Literally meaning "face" or "in front of," this word here means that the Israelites will flee in the sight of the enemy, making the ruse convincing.

Why Joshua 8:5 matters

  • Joshua 8:5 clears up that the Israelites’ retreat is not a sign of weakness or fear, but a deliberate tactic to lure the enemy out of their stronghold.
  • The verse highlights Joshua’s leadership and strategic planning, showing a shift from the earlier defeat at Ai to a more thoughtful approach.
  • Understanding this verse helps make sense of the larger narrative, where the Israelites’ success depends on following a well-coordinated plan rather than relying on brute force alone.

Where else these words appear

“against” Hebrew H7125 · used in 117 verses

  • Genesis 14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.
  • Judges 7:24 And Gideon sent messengers throughout all mount Ephraim, saying, Come down against the Midianites, and take before them the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan. Then all the men of Ephraim gathered themselves together, and took the waters unto Bethbarah and Jordan.
  • 1 Kings 2:8 And, behold, thou hast with thee Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of Bahurim, which cursed me with a grievous curse in the day when I went to Mahanaim: but he came down to meet me at Jordan, and I sware to him by the LORD, saying, I will not put thee to death with the sword.

“flee” Hebrew H5127 · used in 143 verses

  • Genesis 14:10 And the vale of Siddim was full of slimepits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and fell there; and they that remained fled to the mountain.
  • Judges 9:21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
  • 1 Chronicles 19:14 So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him.