KJV ORIGINAL
And Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten before them, and fled by the way of the wilderness.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Joshua and all the Israelite army pretended to be defeated and ran away toward the wilderness, as if they were retreating in fear.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse shows Joshua and his army using a strategic retreat as part of a military plan to deceive their enemies.
📚 Historical Context
This takes place during Israel's conquest of the Promised Land, specifically during the battle against the city of Ai. After an initial defeat due to Achan's sin, Joshua received God's instruction to use an ambush strategy. This feigned retreat was part of a clever military tactic to draw Ai's army away from their city so hidden Israelite forces could capture it.
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