Joshua 7:8

8 Oh, Lord, what shall I say, after that Israel has turned their backs before their enemies!

Joshua 7:8 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 7:8

O Lord, what shall I say
For the comfort and encouragement of the people of Israel, in vindication of thy power and faithfulness, and against the charge of weakness in thyself, unfaithfulness to thy promises, and unkindness to thy people, brought by our enemies:

when Israel hath turned their backs before their enemies?
or after they have done it; what is to be said now, this being the case? he speaks as a man confounded, and at the utmost loss how to account for the power, the providence, and promises of God.

Joshua 7:8 In-Context

6 Joshua tore his clothes, and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of Yahweh until the evening, he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads.

7 Joshua said, Alas, Lord Yahweh, why have you at all brought this people over the Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? would that we had been content and lived beyond the Jordan!

8 Oh, Lord, what shall I say, after that Israel has turned their backs before their enemies!

9 For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and will compass us round, and cut off our name from the earth: and what will you do for your great name?

10 Yahweh said to Joshua, Get you up; why are you thus fallen on your face?