King James Version

What Does Joshua 8:20 Mean?

Joshua 8:20 in the King James Version says “And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they ...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. power: Heb. hand”

Joshua 8:20 · KJV

Context

18

And the LORD said unto Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in thy hand toward Ai; for I will give it into thine hand. And Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city.

19

And the ambush arose quickly out of their place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand: and they entered into the city, and took it, and hasted and set the city on fire.

20

And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. power: Heb. hand

21

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended, then they turned again, and slew the men of Ai.

22

And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Ai's despair: 'And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned upon them.' The phrase 'looked behind them' indicates Ai's forces, confidently pursuing Israel, glance back and see catastrophe—their city burning. The smoke ascending 'to heaven' emphasizes visibility and totality—the city's destruction is complete and obvious. The statement 'had no power to flee this way or that way' describes total demoralization—psychological collapse translates to physical inability to retreat. Simultaneously, Israel's 'fleeing' force turns to attack. Ai's army finds itself trapped between Joshua's force (now advancing) and the burning city (ambush force emerging). This complete reversal—from confident pursuit to utter entrapment—demonstrates how quickly circumstances change when God fights for His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient battlefield psychology was crucial—morale often determined outcomes more than numbers. Discovering their city burning while engaged far from it would have shattered Ai's morale instantly. The realization that the 'fleeing' Israelites were actually strategic decoys, that a hidden force had captured their undefended city, and that they now faced enemies on multiple sides would have created panic. The phrase 'no power to flee' suggests complete disorientation—they couldn't flee toward their burning city (now held by enemies) nor toward the wilderness (Israelites blocked that route). This trap resulted from overconfidence and poor tactical judgment—leaving the city completely undefended. Ancient military wisdom counseled maintaining reserves precisely to prevent such disasters. The sudden reversal of fortunes—from apparent victory to crushing defeat—illustrates warfare's unpredictability and the decisive importance of morale. When God fights for Israel, psychological and physical victory come together.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this sudden reversal (confident pursuit to utter defeat) illustrate the danger of presumption in spiritual warfare?
  2. What does the phrase 'no power to flee this way or that way' teach about the completeness of defeat when opposing God's purposes?
  3. When have you seen apparent victory suddenly become defeat (or vice versa) through God's intervention?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיִּפְנ֣וּ1 of 23

“looked”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

אַנְשֵׁי֩2 of 23
H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

הָעַ֨י3 of 23

“of Ai”

H5857

ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine

אַֽחֲרֵיהֶ֜ם4 of 23

“behind”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וַיִּרְא֗וּ5 of 23

“them they saw”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

וְהִנֵּ֨ה6 of 23
H2009

lo!

עָלָ֜ה7 of 23

“ascended up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

עֲשַׁ֤ן8 of 23

“and behold the smoke”

H6227

smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)

הָעִיר֙9 of 23

“of the city”

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

הַשָּׁמַ֔יְמָה10 of 23

“to heaven”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְלֹֽא11 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הָיָ֨ה12 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בָהֶ֥ם13 of 23
H0
יָדַ֛יִם14 of 23

“and they had no power”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

הַנָּ֣ס15 of 23

“that fled”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

וָהֵ֑נָּה16 of 23

“this way or that way”

H2008

hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

וָהֵ֑נָּה17 of 23

“this way or that way”

H2008

hither or thither (but used both of place and time)

וְהָעָם֙18 of 23

“and the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הַנָּ֣ס19 of 23

“that fled”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר20 of 23

“to the wilderness”

H4057

a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert

נֶהְפַּ֖ךְ21 of 23

“turned back”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

אֶל22 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָֽרוֹדֵֽף׃23 of 23

“upon the pursuers”

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 8:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 8:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Revelation 18:9Job 11:20Isaiah 34:10Psalms 48:5-6Genesis 19:28Amos 2:14-16

Places in This Verse

Ai 1Settlement · Modern: Et Tell · 31.92°N, 35.26°E32 verses across 2 books
View all places in Joshua 8 →

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