King James Version

What Does Joshua 8:22 Mean?

Joshua 8:22 in the King James Version says “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 t... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 8:22 · KJV


Context

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.

23

And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.

24

And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes the climactic moment in the battle of Ai, showing the execution of a divinely ordained military strategy. The phrase "the other issued out" refers to the ambush force that had been hidden behind the city (Joshua 8:12). The Hebrew "issued out" (yatsa) means to go forth or come out, indicating decisive action at the perfect moment.

The tactical situation is described precisely: "in the midst of Israel"—the men of Ai were caught in a classic pincer movement with Israelites on both sides. The phrase "some on this side, and some on that side" emphasizes the complete encirclement. The result was total: they "smote them" (nakah, meaning to strike or defeat) so thoroughly that "none of them remain or escape" (lo-hish'iru sarid uphaliyt)—a doublet emphasizing absolute victory with no survivors or refugees.

This military description demonstrates the fulfillment of God's strategic instructions to Joshua. The perfect execution shows obedience to divine command resulting in complete success.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This battle occurred around 1406 BC during Israel's conquest of Canaan under Joshua's leadership. Ai (meaning 'the ruin') was a strategic city guarding the approach to the central hill country. The battle came immediately after Israel's humiliating defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin, making this victory particularly significant as a restoration of divine favor.

The military tactic described—feigned retreat followed by ambush—was common in ancient Near Eastern warfare, but this instance succeeded because it followed God's explicit battle plan (Joshua 8:2). Archaeological excavations at et-Tell (identified by some as Ai) show destruction layers from this period. The total destruction of Ai's army without survivors was part of the herem (devoted destruction) practiced during the conquest, reflecting the seriousness of Canaanite sin and God's judgment. This victory opened the central highlands to Israelite settlement and demonstrated that obedience to God, even in military matters, brings success.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this battle demonstrate the importance of following God's specific instructions?
  2. What is the spiritual significance of the 'pincer movement' strategy in this context?
  3. Why was total victory (no survivors or escapees) necessary in this case?
  4. How does this victory contrast with the previous defeat at Ai, and what does that teach us?
  5. What does this military account teach about God's sovereignty over the outcome of battles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְאֵ֣לֶּה1 of 20

And the other

H428

these or those

יָֽצְא֤וּ2 of 20

issued out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִן3 of 20
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעִיר֙4 of 20

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)

לִקְרָאתָ֔ם5 of 20

against

H7125

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ6 of 20
H1961

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

לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙7 of 20

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בַּתָּ֔וֶךְ8 of 20

them so they were in the midst

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

וְאֵ֣לֶּה9 of 20

And the other

H428

these or those

מִזֶּ֖ה10 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וְאֵ֣לֶּה11 of 20

And the other

H428

these or those

מִזֶּ֑ה12 of 20
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וַיַּכּ֣וּ13 of 20

some on this side and some on that side and they smote

H5221

to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)

אוֹתָ֔ם14 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַד15 of 20

them so that

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

בִּלְתִּ֥י16 of 20
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

הִשְׁאִֽיר17 of 20

they let

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

ל֖וֹ18 of 20
H0
שָׂרִ֥יד19 of 20

none of them remain

H8300

a survivor

וּפָלִֽיט׃20 of 20

or escape

H6412

a refugee


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 8:22 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 8:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study