Joshua 7:2-12 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:9

For the Canaanites ,.... Those that dwell on the east and on the west of the land, see Joshua 11:3 ; who were one of the seven nations: and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it ; of this defeat; not only the Amorites, among whom they now were, and the Canaanites before mentioned, but the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, and the Jebusites: and shall environ us round ; come with all their forces from all parts of the land, and surround us, so that there will be no... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:10

And the Lord said unto Joshua, get thee up ,.... From the ground where he lay prostrate, with his face to it: this he said, not as refusing his supplication to him, but rather as encouraging and strengthening him; though chiefly he said this in order to instruct him, and that he might prepare for what he was to do: wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face ? in this manner, so distressed and dejected; or for this thing, as the Targum, for this defeat of the army; something else is to be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:11

Israel hath sinned ,.... For though one only had committed the sin, others might have known of it, and connived at it; however, there was sin committed among them, and it must be discovered, the guilt charged, and punishment inflicted: and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them ; not the law given on Mount Sinai, called the covenant, though in general that was now broken, inasmuch as they then promised to hear and obey all that the Lord should say unto them, ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:12

Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies ,.... Being forsaken of God for the sin committed among them: but turned their backs before their enemies : had not courage to face them, but fled as soon as they appeared: because they were accursed ; of God for the accursed thing that had been taken, as was threatened would be their case, should they take any of it; Joshua 6:18 , neither will I be with you any more, until ye take away the accursed thing... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:2

Sent men from Jericho to Ai - This is the place called Hai, Genesis 12:8 . It was in the east of Beth-el, north of Jericho, from which it was distant about ten or twelve miles. From Joshua 7:4 , Joshua 7:5 ; it appears to have been situated upon a hill, and belonged to the Amorites, as we learn from Joshua 7:7 . It is very likely that it was a strong place, as it chose to risk a siege, notwithstanding the extraordinary destruction of Jericho which it had lately witnessed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:4

About three thousand men - The spies sent to reconnoitre the place ( Joshua 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. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:5

They chased them from before the gate even unto Shebarim - They seem to have presumed that the men of Ai would have immediately opened their gates to them, and therefore they marched up with confidence; but the enemy appearing, they were put to flight, their ranks utterly broken, and thirty-six of them killed. שברים Shebarim signifies breaches or broken places, and may here apply to the ranks of the Israelites, which were broken by the men of Ai; for the people were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:6

Joshua rent his clothes , etc. - It was not in consequence of this slight discomfiture, simply considered in itself, that Joshua laid this business so much to heart; but Because the people melted, and became as water, and there was little hope that they would make any stand against the enemy; and Because this defeat evidently showed that God had turned his hand against them. Had it not been so, their enemies could not have prevailed. Put dust upon their heads -... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:7

Alas , O Lord God - Particles of exclamations and distress, or what are called interjections, are nearly the same in all languages: and the reason is because they are the simple voice of nature. The Hebrew word which we translate alas is אהה ahah . The complaint of Joshua in this and the following verses seems principally to have arisen from his deep concern for the glory of God, and the affecting interest he took in behalf of the people: he felt for the thousands of Israel, whom... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:10

Wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face ? - It is plain there was nothing in Joshua's prayer or complaint that was offensive to God, for here there is no reprehension: Why liest thou thus? this is no time for complaint; something else is indispensably necessary to be done. read more

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:9

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:11

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:10

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