Josué 8:17

17 No quedó hombre en Hai o Betel que no saliera tras Israel, y dejaron la ciudad sin protección por perseguir a Israel.

Josué 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.

Josué 8:17 In-Context

15 Y Josué y todo Israel se fingieron vencidos delante de ellos, y huyeron camino del desierto.

16 Y todo el pueblo que estaba en la ciudad fue llamado para perseguirlos, y persiguieron a Josué, y se alejaron de la ciudad.

17 No quedó hombre en Hai o Betel que no saliera tras Israel, y dejaron la ciudad sin protección por perseguir a Israel.

18 Entonces el SEÑOR dijo a Josué: Extiende la jabalina que está en tu mano hacia Hai, porque la entregaré en tu mano. Y extendió Josué hacia la ciudad la jabalina que estaba en su mano.

19 Y los que estaban emboscados se levantaron rápidamente de su lugar, y corrieron cuando él extendió su mano, entraron en la ciudad y se apoderaron de ella, y se apresuraron a prender fuego a la ciudad.