Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 7:4
So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.
Verse 4. About three thousand men] The spies sent to reconnoitre the place (Jos 7:3) reported that the town was meanly garrisoned, and that two or three thousand men would be sufficient to take it. These were accordingly sent up, and were repulsed by the Amorites.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Not having their usual courage to strike a stroke, which was a plain evidence that God had forsaken them; and a useful instruction, to show them what weak and inconsiderable creatures they were when God left them; and that it was God, not their own valour, that gave the Canaanites and their land into their hands.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4, 5. they fled before the men ofAiAn unexpected resistance, and the loss of thirty-six oftheir number diffused a panic, which ended in an ignominious rout.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men,…. Joshua detached from the army the largest number proposed, that there might be strength enough to take the place; and those he sent under proper officers to Ai, who went up to the very gate of the city, as appears from Jos 7:5:
and they fled before the men of Ai; for upon their appearing at the gate of their city, they came out with all their forces against them, and as soon as they did, the children of Israel durst not face them, but without engaging with them fled at once: God having forsaken them, their courage failed, the dread of their enemies falling on them.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(4) They fled before the men of Ai.A very natural reaction from overweening confidence to utter dismay is exhibited in this incident and its effect (Jos. 7:5), the heart of the people melted and became as water. The demoralisation of Israel was a suitable penalty for their assumption, quite apart from its supernatural cause. It was absolutely necessary that the character of the conquest of Canaan should be vindicated, at whatever cost.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. They fled before the men of Ai Having made their assault in perfect confidence of success, and having met an unexpected repulse, they became panic-stricken, and fled in disorder.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ So there went up there of the people about three eleph men, and they fled before the men of Ai.’
The three units soon discovered that Ai was tougher than they had expected. The men there were experienced fighting men, ever being the first to meet invasion that came over the Jordan and through the hills. Thus the self-confidence of the Israelite contingents was badly dented for they were soundly beaten and had to flee.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 4, 5. And they fled, &c. The garrison of Ai, observing the Israelites to be so few in number, made a sally. The latter, left by God, immediately lost courage, took flight, and left thirty-six of their comrades on the spot. The enemy pursued and beat them as far as to Shebarim. Some think this was a place betwixt Ai and Jericho; for schebarim in the Hebrew signifies, people defeated, broken, routed; while others, following the LXX, and taking the word in an appellative sense, translate, they pursued them from before the gate, till they were entirely routed, &c. It is certain, that the runaways carried the alarm into the camp of Israel, and the consternation there was general. The historian describes it in very strong and lively terms.
REFLECTIONS.The last chapter left Israel triumphant, and Joshua’s name great and glorious: this begins with a dire But, which stops the current of their victories, and casts them into the deepest distress; the cause of which always is sin. I. We have an account of the sin committed; Achan the son of Carmi, of the house of Judah, had transgressed the divine command, and secretly taken of the devoted things, and thereby had brought the host under the displeasure of God. One sinner thus destroys much good; the community he belonged to are defiled by him, and suffer for him. Note; (1.) Covetousness is among the most rooted evil tempers of the fallen mind. (2.) We must separate ourselves from sinners, if we would not share their judgments. 2. The effects of God’s displeasure quickly appeared: though the sin was committed so secretly that no eye saw him, it was not hid from God; and he takes such ways to bring the crime to light, as shall shew his just indignation against it. Let not the guilty think of being concealed or excused; God will find them out, and visit them to their confusion. Confident now of success, those who were sent to view the city of Ai report the conquest easy, and that the people need not to be fatigued by a general march: a detached party of two or three thousand men being thought sufficient, these are accordingly sent; but, seized with a panic at the gate of the city, they fly before their pursuers, and, with the loss of six and thirty men, escape to the camp, and fill it with terror and confusion. God had evidently forsaken them; and, though the loss was small, justly were they alarmed at a defeat which portended more dreadful consequences. Note; (1.) Though the greatest difficulties vanish when God is our helper, the least attempt will prevail the moment he leaves us to ourselves. (2.) Whenever we provoke God, we may expect to suffer for it. (3.) Fear and terror of conscience are the natural consequences of guilt, and the present wages of sin.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Reader! spiritualize the passage, and say: Doth not your heart melt, when at any time the enemy seemeth to triumph, when from unbelief; or disobedience, or backsliding, the Lord hath a controversy with you? See that sweet text of Ezr 9:6 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Jos 7:4 So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of Ai.
Ver. 4. And they fled before the men of Ai. ] Their sins having betrayed them into the hands of divine justice, the victory was abandoned, and sent away to the enemy; as that noble General Trajan told Valens, the Arrian emperor, when he had been defeated by the Goths in the very first battle, as these Israelites also were. a
a Niceph., lib. xiii. cap. 40.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
fled: Lev 26:17, Deu 28:25, Deu 32:30, Isa 30:17, Isa 59:2
Reciprocal: Psa 89:43 – not made
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Jos 7:4. They fled before the men of Ai Not having courage, it seems, to strike a stroke, a plain evidence that God had forsaken them, and an instructive event, to show them what they were when God left them; that they did not gain their victories by their own valour, but that it was God that gave the Canaanites into their hands. And may we not hence conclude, however little it may be thought of, that victory or superiority in war between different nations, depends more upon the will of God than upon any other circumstance; and that a nation that goes to battle loaded with its crimes, has but little reason to hope for final victory or lasting success!