Josué 8:17

17 No quedó ni un solo hombre en Hai o en Betel
que no persiguiera a los israelitas, y la ciudad quedó completamente desprotegida.

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 Entonces Josué y el ejército israelita huyeron en retirada hacia el desierto como si los hubieran vencido por completo.

16 Así que llamaron a todos los hombres de la ciudad, para que salieran a perseguirlos. De esa manera, los alejaron de la ciudad.

17 No quedó ni un solo hombre en Hai o en Betel
que no persiguiera a los israelitas, y la ciudad quedó completamente desprotegida.

18 Entonces el Señor
le dijo a Josué: «Apunta hacia Hai con la lanza que tienes en la mano, porque te entregaré la ciudad». Así que Josué hizo lo que se le ordenó.

19 En cuanto Josué dio la señal, todos los hombres que esperaban en la emboscada salieron de golpe de sus puestos e invadieron la ciudad en masa. Enseguida la sitiaron y le prendieron fuego.