KJV ORIGINAL
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.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
When Joshua and all the Israelites saw that their hidden soldiers had captured the city and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and attacked the men of Ai.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse shows the moment when Joshua's military strategy succeeded - seeing their trap had worked, the Israelites turned from retreat to victory.
📚 Historical Context
This occurs during Israel's conquest of the Promised Land after their initial defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin. Joshua used a clever battle tactic, pretending to flee while a hidden group of soldiers captured and burned the city. This was their second attempt to take Ai, following God's specific battle instructions.
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