Joshua 7:4

4 So there went up there of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of `Ai.

Joshua 7:4 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 7:4

So there went up thither of the people about three thousand
men
Joshua detached from the army the largest number proposed, that there might be strength enough to take the place; and those he sent under proper officers to Ai, who went up to the very gate of the city, as appears from ( Joshua 7:5 ) :

and they fled before the men of Ai;
for upon their appearing at the gate of their city, they came out with all their forces against them, and as soon as they did, the children of Israel durst not face them, but without engaging with them fled at once: God having forsaken them, their courage failed, the dread of their enemies falling on them.

Joshua 7:4 In-Context

2 Yehoshua sent men from Yericho to `Ai, which is beside Beit-Aven, on the east side of Beit-El, and spoke to them, saying, Go up and spy out the land. The men went up and spied out `Ai.

3 They returned to Yehoshua, and said to him, Don't let all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and strike `Ai; don't make all the people to toil there; for they are but few.

4 So there went up there of the people about three thousand men: and they fled before the men of `Ai.

5 The men of `Ai struck of them about thirty-six men; and they chased them [from] before the gate even to Shevarim, and struck them at the descent; and the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

6 Yehoshua tore his clothes, and fell to the dirt on his face before the ark of the LORD until the evening, he and the Zakenim of Yisra'el; and they put dust on their heads.