King James Version

What Does Joshua 8:6 Mean?

Joshua 8:6 in the King James Version says “(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at t...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them. drawn: Heb. pulled”

Joshua 8:6 · KJV

Context

4

And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:

5

And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,

6

(For they will come out after us) till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them. drawn: Heb. pulled

7

Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.

8

And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, that ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.

Read Joshua 8 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The strategy continues: 'they will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: therefore we will flee before them.' The plan depends on psychological warfare—exploiting Ai's overconfidence after their previous victory. The phrase 'they will say' shows Joshua anticipating enemy reasoning. Good strategy requires understanding opponent's likely response. The repetition 'as at the first' reinforces that Israel's earlier defeat becomes tactical advantage. Ai's defenders, emboldened by prior victory, will assume another rout. This overconfidence will draw them out from defensive positions, making them vulnerable. The strategy illustrates that spiritual victories often require understanding the adversary's tactics (2 Corinthians 2:11—'we are not ignorant of his devices'). The planned flight must be convincing yet controlled—difficult balance requiring discipline and faith in leadership.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient warfare psychology played crucial roles in outcomes. Confidence from recent victory could breed dangerous overconfidence, leading to tactical mistakes. Ai's commanders, having defeated Israel once, would likely assume the same strategy would work again—especially since the Israelites again appeared to approach directly. The plan to draw defenders from fortifications exploited a common tactical error: leaving secure positions to pursue fleeing enemies. Many ancient battles were lost by defenders who abandoned fortifications prematurely. Joshua's psychological insight—predicting Ai's reasoning—shows wisdom gained from previous defeat. The earlier loss, painful as it was, provided intelligence about Ai's tactics and confidence level. The strategy also required trust in Joshua's leadership—troops had to 'flee' without actually breaking formation, maintaining cohesion for eventual counter-attack.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding your spiritual adversary's tactics improve your defensive strategy?
  2. When has a past failure provided wisdom for future success?
  3. What role does disciplined obedience play when strategy requires apparent retreat or weakness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וְיָֽצְא֣וּ1 of 15

“For they will come out”

H3318

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

אַֽחֲרֵ֗ינוּ2 of 15

“after”

H310

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

עַ֣ד3 of 15
H5704

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

הַתִּיקֵ֤נוּ4 of 15

“us till we have drawn”

H5423

to tear off

אוֹתָם֙5 of 15
H853

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

מִן6 of 15
H4480

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

הָעִ֔יר7 of 15

“them from the city”

H5892

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

כִּ֣י8 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יֹֽאמְר֔וּ9 of 15

“for they will say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

וְנַ֖סְנוּ10 of 15

“They flee”

H5127

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

לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃11 of 15

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר12 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֑ה13 of 15

“us as at the first”

H7223

first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)

וְנַ֖סְנוּ14 of 15

“They flee”

H5127

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

לִפְנֵיהֶֽם׃15 of 15

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

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 8:6 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 8:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Judges 20:32Ecclesiastes 8:11Ecclesiastes 9:12Exodus 14:3Exodus 15:9

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