KJV ORIGINAL
O LORD, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
O LORD, what can I say now that Israel has run away in defeat from their enemies!
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
Joshua is crying out to God in anguish and confusion after Israel's shocking military defeat, wondering what he could possibly say to explain this humiliation.
📚 Historical Context
This comes after Israel's devastating defeat at Ai, their first military loss since entering the Promised Land. The Israelites had just experienced incredible victory at Jericho, but now faced humiliating retreat because of Achan's secret sin of taking forbidden items from Jericho. Joshua is prostrate before the ark of the covenant, overwhelmed by this unexpected failure.
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