Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Not a man remained in Ai or Bethel who did not go after Israel. They left the city open and went in pursuit of Israel. New Living Translation There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not chase after the Israelites, and the town was left wide open. English Standard Version Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. They left the city open and pursued Israel. Berean Standard Bible Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel. Berean Literal Bible And there was left not a man in Ai and Bethel who did not go out after Israel. And they left the city open and pursued after Israel. King James Bible And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. New King James Version There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel. So they left the city open and pursued Israel. New American Standard Bible So not a man was left in Ai or Bethel, but they had all gone out after Israel, and they left the city unguarded and pursued Israel. NASB 1995 So not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel, and they left the city unguarded and pursued Israel. NASB 1977 So not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel, and they left the city unguarded and pursued Israel. Legacy Standard Bible So not a man remained in Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel, and they forsook the city, leaving it open, and pursued Israel. Amplified Bible Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who had not gone out after Israel; so they left the city open and unguarded and they pursued Israel. Berean Annotated Bible Not a man was left in Ai (heap of ruins) or Bethel (house of God) who did not go out after Israel (he wrestles with God), leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel. Christian Standard Bible Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city exposed while they pursued Israel. Holman Christian Standard Bible Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city exposed while they pursued Israel. American Standard Version And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. English Revised Version And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. GOD'S WORD® Translation Not one man was left in Ai or Bethel; they all went after Israel. So the city was left unprotected as they chased Israel. Good News Translation Every man in Ai went after the Israelites, and the city was left wide open, with no one to defend it. International Standard Version There wasn't a single man left in Ai or Bethel who didn't run out after Israel. They left the city open and pursued Israel. NET Bible No men were left in Ai or Bethel; they all went out after Israel. They left the city wide open and chased Israel. New Heart English Bible There was not a man left in Ai or Beth El who did not go out after Israel. They left the city open, and pursued Israel. Webster's Bible Translation And there was not a man left in Ai, or Beth-el that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued Israel. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNot a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel. World English Bible There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who didn’t go out after Israel. They left the city open, and pursued Israel. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand there has not been a man left in Ai and Bethel who has not gone out after Israel, and they leave the city open, and pursue after Israel. Berean Literal Bible And there was left not a man in Ai and Bethel who did not go out after Israel. And they left the city open and pursued after Israel. Young's Literal Translation and there hath not been left a man in Ai and Bethel who hath not gone out after Israel, and they leave the city open, and pursue after Israel. Smith's Literal Translation And a man was not left in Ai and the house of God, who will not go forth after Israel: and they will leave the city opened and will pursue after Israel. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd not one remained in the city of Hai and of Bethel, that did not pursue after Israel, leaving the towns open as they had rushed out, Catholic Public Domain Version and indeed not one remained in the city of Ai and of Bethel who did not pursue after Israel, (leaving the towns open after they had rushed out,) New American Bible not a soldier remained in Ai or Bethel. They abandoned the city, leaving it open, as they pursued Israel. New Revised Standard Version There was not a man left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel; they left the city open, and pursued Israel. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el who did not go out after Israel; and they left the city open, and pursued Israel. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And there was not a man left in Ai or in Bayth Eil who did not go out after Israel and they left the city when it was opened up and they pursued after Israel OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el, that went not out after Israel; and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. Brenton Septuagint Translation There was no one left in Gai who did not pursue after Israel; and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Conquest of Ai…16Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city. 17Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel, leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel. 18Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Hold out your battle lance toward Ai, for into your hand I will deliver the city.” So Joshua held out his battle lance toward Ai,… Cross References Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel 1 Samuel 30:17 And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day. Not a man escaped, except four hundred young men who fled, riding off on camels. Genesis 13:3 From the Negev he journeyed from place to place toward Bethel, until he came to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had formerly been pitched, Judges 1:22-25 The house of Joseph also attacked Bethel, and the LORD was with them. / They sent spies to Bethel (formerly known as Luz), / and when the spies saw a man coming out of the city, they said to him, “Please show us how to get into the city, and we will treat you kindly.” … who did not go out after Israel, Joshua 7:4-5 So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of Ai. / And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water. Exodus 14:9-10 The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued the Israelites and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi-hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon. / As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up and saw the Egyptians marching after them, and they were terrified and cried out to the LORD. leaving the city wide open 2 Kings 7:7 Thus the Arameans had arisen and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had run for their lives. Judges 20:37-38 The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword. / The men of Israel had arranged a signal with the men in ambush: When they sent up a great cloud of smoke from the city, while they pursued Israel. 1 Samuel 31:1-2 Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before them, and many fell slain on Mount Gilboa. / The Philistines hotly pursued Saul and his sons, and they killed Saul’s sons Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchishua. 2 Kings 25:5 but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him. Joshua 2:9-11 and said to them, “I know that the LORD has given you this land and that the fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who dwell in the land are melting in fear of you. / For we have heard how the LORD dried up the waters of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites across the Jordan, whom you devoted to destruction. / When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth below. Joshua 6:1-2 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. / And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. Judges 20:31-32 The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. / “We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.” 2 Samuel 10:9-10 When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. 2 Kings 7:14-16 Then the scouts took two chariots with horses, and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying, “Go and see.” / And they tracked them as far as the Jordan, and indeed, the whole way was littered with the clothing and equipment the Arameans had thrown off in haste. So the scouts returned and told the king. / Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Arameans. It was then that a seah of fine flour sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 13:13-17 Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them. / When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets, / and the men of Judah raised the battle cry. And when they raised the cry, God routed Jeroboam and all Israel before Abijah and Judah. … Isaiah 37:33-35 So this is what the LORD says about the king of Assyria: ‘He will not enter this city or shoot an arrow into it. He will not come before it with a shield or build up a siege ramp against it. / He will go back the way he came, and he will not enter this city,’ declares the LORD. / ‘I will defend this city and save it for My own sake and for the sake of My servant David.’” Treasury of Scripture And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel, that went not out after Israel: and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel. a man Joshua 8:3,24,25 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night… Joshua 11:20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses. Deuteronomy 2:30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him: for the LORD thy God hardened his spirit, and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into thy hand, as appeareth this day. Jump to Previous Ai Beth Bethel Beth-El City El Israel Leave Open Pursue Pursued Pursuit UnguardedJump to Next Ai Beth Bethel Beth-El City El Israel Leave Open Pursue Pursued Pursuit UnguardedJoshua 8 1. God encourages Joshua3. The plan whereby Ai was taken 29. The king thereof is hanged 30. Joshua builds an altar 32. writes the law on stones 33. and pronounces the blessings and curses Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel This phrase highlights the complete mobilization of the forces from both Ai and Bethel. Ai was a smaller city near Bethel, and both were located in the central hill country of Canaan. The strategic alliance between these cities indicates the threat Israel posed to the region. Historically, Bethel was a significant city, often associated with worship and later idolatry. The absence of men suggests a total commitment to the battle, leaving their cities vulnerable. This reflects the desperation and confidence of the Canaanites in their military strategy. who did not go out after Israel leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel Persons / Places / Events 1. AiA Canaanite city that Israel initially failed to conquer due to Achan's sin but later defeated under God's guidance. 2. Bethel A nearby city to Ai, whose men joined the pursuit against Israel, leaving both cities vulnerable. 3. Israel The nation chosen by God, led by Joshua, executing a strategic military plan to conquer Ai. 4. Joshua The leader of Israel, who followed God's instructions to orchestrate a successful ambush against Ai. 5. The Ambush A strategic military tactic commanded by God, where part of the Israelite army lured the men of Ai and Bethel away from their cities. Teaching Points Obedience to God's StrategyJoshua's success at Ai underscores the importance of following God's specific instructions. Believers are reminded to seek and adhere to God's guidance in their lives. The Consequences of Sin The initial failure at Ai due to Achan's sin serves as a warning about the communal impact of individual disobedience. It calls for personal and communal holiness. God's Sovereignty in Battle The victory at Ai illustrates that ultimate success in any endeavor comes from God. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and timing. The Importance of Vigilance The men of Ai and Bethel left their cities unguarded, leading to their defeat. Christians are reminded to remain vigilant and not leave their spiritual "cities" unprotected. Unity and Cooperation The Israelites worked together under Joshua's leadership, demonstrating the power of unity and cooperation in achieving God's purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 8:17?2. How does Joshua 8:17 demonstrate God's strategy in overcoming obstacles in life? 3. What role does obedience play in the Israelites' victory in Joshua 8:17? 4. How can we apply the Israelites' unity in Joshua 8:17 to our church? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Joshua 8:17 and other Old Testament battles? 6. How does Joshua 8:17 encourage us to trust God's plan in difficult times? 7. How does Joshua 8:17 demonstrate God's strategy in warfare? 8. What is the significance of Ai and Bethel in Joshua 8:17? 9. How does Joshua 8:17 reflect God's promise to Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 8? 11. If Ai was truly annihilated, why does it not appear in later references to the region's cities in the Old Testament? 12. Why do battles in the Book of Joshua (e.g., Ai’s destruction) not match the archaeological record? 13. Why does the ambush strategy described in Joshua 8:2-22 differ from other accounts of Israelite conquests? 14. How can the total extermination of Ai's inhabitants (Joshua 8:24-25) be reconciled with a just and loving God? What Does Joshua 8:17 Mean Not a man was leftJoshua records, “Not a man was left …” (Joshua 8:17). This stresses complete participation. • No soldier stayed behind; the city’s entire fighting force was lured out. • The phrase echoes earlier scenes where enemies over-committed (Joshua 8:16; Exodus 14:23). • God’s promise that “one of you shall chase a thousand” (Deuteronomy 32:30) begins to unfold as Israel faces an emptied fortress. in Ai or Bethel The text names both towns because Bethel’s men apparently reinforced Ai. • Ai lay about two miles east of Bethel; shared defenses were common (Genesis 12:8; Judges 1:22–26). • By mentioning both, Scripture underlines the scale of the trap: two combined garrisons abandoned their posts. • What seemed a strong alliance became an empty shell when God’s strategy dominated human planning (Psalm 33:10). who did not go out after Israel Every able man “went out after Israel” (Joshua 8:17). • Joshua’s feigned retreat (Joshua 8:5–6) convinced the enemy that victory was certain. • Their unified pursuit mirrors later episodes where overconfidence led to defeat (1 Samuel 23:8; 2 Chronicles 20:20–23). • The verse also fulfills God’s earlier assurance: “The LORD your God will put the terror of you on the whole land” (Deuteronomy 11:25). leaving the city wide open With all defenders gone, Ai’s gates stood unguarded. • A “wide open” city signals total vulnerability (Nehemiah 7:3; Judges 18:27). • Israel’s ambush force could now enter unhindered, proving that security apart from the Lord is an illusion (Psalm 127:1). • The detail highlights obedience: Joshua followed God’s exact instructions (Joshua 8:7–8), and divine wisdom outmaneuvered human strength. while they pursued Israel The enemy’s focus on pursuit blinded them to danger behind. • Israel’s apparent flight drew Ai’s men farther away, duplicating strategies God later gave to David (2 Samuel 5:23–25). • Pharaoh once chased Israel in similar overconfidence and met ruin (Exodus 14:4–28). • Spiritually, the scene cautions against chasing what seems advantageous while neglecting true security in God (Proverbs 16:25; 1 Corinthians 10:12). summary Joshua 8:17 shows a total enemy exodus, the combined forces of Ai and Bethel racing after a feigned retreat, and a defenseless city ready for Israel’s ambush. The verse illustrates God-given strategy overcoming superior numbers, warns against misplaced confidence, and affirms that victory belongs to those who trust and obey the Lord. (17) There was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el.--Another singular justification of the peculiar strategy of Joshua. The road past Beth-el to Ai had been left open. It passes the north end of the two ravines in which Joshua's ambush was posted. At the same time, it would have been easy to conceal a chain of sentinels that could observe it and tell the 35,000 men in ambush what was going on, so that if any attempt had been made by the men of Beth-el to protect Ai, it could easily have been frustrated. But no one suspected any danger, and therefore no such attempt was made. The men of Beth-el and Ai took the road that was left open to them and pursued the Israelites, probably down the ancient way past Michmash towards the Shebarim, leaving Beth-el and Ai both unprotected. After they had gone some distance, about a mile or a mile and a half from Ai, this road would bring them past the lower end of the ravine in which the ambush was posted. A second chain of outposts would easily take the signal from Joshua when this point had been passed, and then all was over with the town of Ai.It is curious that we do not hear of the capture of Beth-el at this time, though it would have been perfectly easy to take it. The king of Beth-el is named in the list of those whom Joshua smote (Joshua 12:16). We read of its capture in Judges 1:22, and of the "entrance into the city" being sought for and betrayed. But that can hardly have been the first capture of the town. Verse 17. - Or Bethel. These words are not in the LXX., and they may possibly have been a marginal gloss, for the intervention of the people of Bethel in this battle is very unintelligible. See note on Joshua 7:2. On the other hand, it is quite possible that the difficulty involved in their retention may have caused their omission from the LXX., and it may perhaps be thought possible that, on the capture of Ai, the Bethelites returned with all speed to their city, and that Joshua postponed its capture in consequence of the formidable confederacy (Joshua 9:1, 2), which his success had called into existence, or, perhaps, by a desire to signalise at once the victory at Ai by the ceremony (vers. 30-35) at Gerizim. We read in Joshua 12:16 that Bethel was taken. In Judges 1:22 we read that it was not (see note on Joshua 12:16).Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Notוְלֹֽא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no a man אִ֗ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person was left נִשְׁאַ֣ר (niš·’ar) Verb - Nifal - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7604: To swell up, be, redundant in Ai בָּעַי֙ (bā·‘ay) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5857: Ai -- a Canaanite city or Bethel אֵ֔ל (’êl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 1008: Bethel -- 'house of God', a city in Ephraim, also a place in southern Judah who אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer) Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that did not לֹֽא־ (lō-) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no go out יָצְא֖וּ (yā·ṣə·’ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim after אַחֲרֵ֣י (’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition Strong's 310: The hind or following part Israel, יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc leaving וַיַּעַזְב֤וּ (way·ya·‘az·ḇū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 5800: To loosen, relinquish, permit the city הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement wide open פְּתוּחָ֔ה (pə·ṯū·ḥāh) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular Strong's 6605: To open wide, to loosen, begin, plough, carve while they pursued וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ (way·yir·də·p̄ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute Israel. יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc Links Joshua 8:17 NIVJoshua 8:17 NLT Joshua 8:17 ESV Joshua 8:17 NASB Joshua 8:17 KJV Joshua 8:17 BibleApps.com Joshua 8:17 Biblia Paralela Joshua 8:17 Chinese Bible Joshua 8:17 French Bible Joshua 8:17 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 8:17 There was not a man left (Josh. 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