Joshua 7:3 - They returned to Joshua, 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 there are only a few of them.”
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Joshua 7:3" mean?
This verse, Joshua 7:3, describes a misguided strategy following Israel's initial victories in the Promised Land. Let's break down its meaning:
"They returned to Joshua, and said to him...": This refers to the spies who were sent to scout out the city of Ai. They have returned to Joshua with their assessment.
"“Don’t let all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and strike Ai.": The spies suggest that a full-scale attack by the entire Israelite army is unnecessary. They believe that a small force of 2,000-3,000 men will be sufficient to conquer Ai.
"Don’t make all the people to toil there, for there are only a few of them.”: This is the reasoning behind their recommendation. The spies believe that Ai is a small, lightly defended city. Therefore, they conclude that it would be a waste of resources and manpower to send the entire Israelite army, implying that there are few soldiers in Ai to defend the city.
In essence, the verse reveals a sense of overconfidence and underestimation of the enemy. The spies have become complacent after their initial successes and believe Ai will be an easy target. They prioritize conserving resources and avoiding unnecessary effort, rather than relying on God's guidance and strength, as they had done previously.
Significance in the narrative:
This verse sets the stage for the disastrous defeat at Ai in Joshua 7. Israel's overconfidence, stemming from their incorrect assessment of Ai's strength, leads to a smaller force being sent to attack. However, because of Achan's sin, God is no longer with them, and they are defeated. This defeat is a direct consequence of their lack of reliance on God and their flawed strategy based on faulty reconnaissance and overconfidence. This leads to a period of mourning, seeking guidance, and purification for the people of Israel. It highlights the importance of relying on God's strength and guidance rather than human assessment alone, especially in the context of God's commands.
Joshua 7:3 - They returned to Joshua, 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 there are only a few of them.”
What does "Joshua 7:3" mean?
This verse, Joshua 7:3, describes a misguided strategy following Israel's initial victories in the Promised Land. Let's break down its meaning:
"They returned to Joshua, and said to him...": This refers to the spies who were sent to scout out the city of Ai. They have returned to Joshua with their assessment.
"“Don’t let all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and strike Ai.": The spies suggest that a full-scale attack by the entire Israelite army is unnecessary. They believe that a small force of 2,000-3,000 men will be sufficient to conquer Ai.
"Don’t make all the people to toil there, for there are only a few of them.”: This is the reasoning behind their recommendation. The spies believe that Ai is a small, lightly defended city. Therefore, they conclude that it would be a waste of resources and manpower to send the entire Israelite army, implying that there are few soldiers in Ai to defend the city.
In essence, the verse reveals a sense of overconfidence and underestimation of the enemy. The spies have become complacent after their initial successes and believe Ai will be an easy target. They prioritize conserving resources and avoiding unnecessary effort, rather than relying on God's guidance and strength, as they had done previously.
Significance in the narrative:
This verse sets the stage for the disastrous defeat at Ai in Joshua 7. Israel's overconfidence, stemming from their incorrect assessment of Ai's strength, leads to a smaller force being sent to attack. However, because of Achan's sin, God is no longer with them, and they are defeated. This defeat is a direct consequence of their lack of reliance on God and their flawed strategy based on faulty reconnaissance and overconfidence. This leads to a period of mourning, seeking guidance, and purification for the people of Israel. It highlights the importance of relying on God's strength and guidance rather than human assessment alone, especially in the context of God's commands.