Joshua 8:17

17 No one who hadn't gone out after Israel was left in either Ai or Bethel. They left the city wide open and chased after Israel.

Joshua 8:17 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 8:17

And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel that went not
out after Israel
For as these two places were very near to each other, but a mile apart, they were in confederacy, and acted together, and could easily be called to the help of each other when required: though there is a difficulty how the men of Bethel could join those of Ai, when the ambush lay between them both, ( Joshua 8:12 ) ; they either went another way, or the ambush purposely let them pass, for fear of a discovery by a skirmish with them, and that Bethel as well as Ai might be cleared of its armed inhabitants, and so fall an easy prey to them as well as Ai: this must be understood only of men of war; for otherwise there were inhabitants left, as old men, and such as were unfit for war, afterwards slain, ( Joshua 8:24 Joshua 8:25 ) ;

and they left the city open:
they did not stay to shut the gates, nor left porters or any guards about, to take care of, protect, and defend the city:

and pursued after Israel;
with great eagerness and vehemence, not having the least apprehension of their city being in any danger.

Joshua 8:17 In-Context

15 Then Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten before them. They fled in the direction of the desert.

16 Next, all the troops who were still in the city were called out to chase them. They chased after Joshua and so let themselves be drawn away from the city.

17 No one who hadn't gone out after Israel was left in either Ai or Bethel. They left the city wide open and chased after Israel.

18 The LORD said to Joshua, "Point the dagger in your hand toward Ai, because I will give it into your power." So Joshua pointed the dagger in his hand toward the city.

19 The ambush quickly rose from its place. As soon as he reached out his hand, it charged. They entered the city and captured it. They set the city on fire at once.