KJV ORIGINAL
And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Not a single man stayed behind in Ai or Bethel—every one of them went out to chase after Israel. They left their city completely undefended and went after the Israelites.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is describing how all the enemy soldiers abandoned their cities to chase Israel, leaving their homes completely unprotected.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during Israel's conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership, specifically during the second battle against the city of Ai. Joshua had set up a clever military strategy where part of his army would pretend to retreat, drawing all the defenders out of the city, while another group waited in ambush to capture the now-empty city.
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