Israel Defeated at Ai

Joshua 7

1 But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for a Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the Lord burned against the people of Israel.

2 Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near b Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and said to them, "Go up and spy out the land." And the men went up and spied out Ai. 3 And they returned to Joshua and said to him, "Do not have all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not make the whole people toil up there, for they are few." 4 So about 3,000 men went up there from the people. And c they fled before the men of Ai, 5 and the men of Ai killed about thirty-six of their men and chased them before the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them at the descent. And the hearts of the people d melted and became as water.

6 Then Joshua e tore his clothes and f fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, he and the elders of Israel. And they put g dust on their heads. 7 And Joshua said, "Alas, O Lord God, h why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! 8 O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies! 9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it and will surround us and i cut off our name from the earth. And what will you do for your great name?"

  1. Cross References
    Joshua 22:20
    Did not Achan the son of Zerah break faith in the matter of the devoted things, and wrath fell upon all the congregation of Israel? And he did not perish alone for his iniquity.'
    1 Chronicles 2:6 - 7
    The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara, five in all.
  2. Cross References
    Joshua 18:12
    On the north side their boundary began at the J...
    1 Samuel 13:5
    And the Philistines mustered to fight with Isra...
    1 Samuel 14:23
    So the Lord saved Israel that day. And the batt...
    Hosea 4:15
    Though you play the whore, O Israel, let not Ju...
    Hosea 5:8
    Blow the horn in Gibeah, the trumpet in Ramah. ...
    Hosea 10:5
    The inhabitants of Samaria tremble for the calf...
  3. Cross References
    Leviticus 26:17
    I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down before your enemies. Those who hate you shall rule over you, and you shall flee when none pursues you.
    Deuteronomy 28:25
    The Lord will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them. And you shall be a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.
  4. Cross References
    Joshua 2:9
    And said to the men, "I know that the Lord has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you.
    Joshua 2:11
    And as soon as we heard it, our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath.
  5. Cross References
    Genesis 37:29
    When Reuben returned to the pit and saw that Joseph was not in the pit, he tore his clothes
    Genesis 37:34
    Then Jacob tore his garments and put sackcloth on his loins and mourned for his son many days.
    Numbers 14:6
    And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes
    2 Samuel 1:11
    Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him.
    2 Samuel 13:31
    Then the king arose and tore his garments and lay on the earth. And all his servants who were standing by tore their garments.
  6. Cross References
    Numbers 14:5
    Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel.
  7. Cross References
    1 Samuel 4:12
    A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head.
  8. Cross References
    Exodus 5:22
    Then Moses turned to the Lord and said, "O Lord, why have you done evil to this people? Why did you ever send me?
    2 Kings 3:10
    Then the king of Israel said, "Alas! The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.
  9. Cross References
    Psalms 83:4
    They say, "Come, let us wipe them out as a nation; let the name of Israel be remembered no more!
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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