Joshua 8:20
New International Version
The men of Ai looked back and saw the smoke of the city rising up into the sky, but they had no chance to escape in any direction; the Israelites who had been fleeing toward the wilderness had turned back against their pursuers.

New Living Translation
When the men of Ai looked behind them, smoke from the town was filling the sky, and they had nowhere to go. For the Israelites who had fled in the direction of the wilderness now turned on their pursuers.

English Standard Version
So when the men of Ai looked back, behold, the smoke of the city went up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that, for the people who fled to the wilderness turned back against the pursuers.

Berean Standard Bible
When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers.

Berean Literal Bible
And the men of Ai looked behind them, and they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the heavens. And there was not power in them to flee here or there, and the people who had fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers.

King James Bible
And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.

New King James Version
And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven. So they had no power to flee this way or that way, and the people who had fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers.

New American Standard Bible
When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers.

NASB 1995
When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers.

NASB 1977
When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the men of Ai turned back and looked, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the sky, and they had no place to flee this way or that, for the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuers.

Amplified Bible
When the men of Ai turned back and looked, behold, the smoke of the city was ascending toward the sky, and they had no opportunity to run this way or that way. Then the people who had been running to the wilderness turned back toward the pursuers.

Berean Annotated Bible
When the men of Ai (heap of ruins) turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers.

Christian Standard Bible
The men of Ai turned and looked back, and smoke from the city was rising to the sky! They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The men of Ai turned and looked back, and smoke from the city was rising to the sky! They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers.

American Standard Version
And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.

English Revised Version
And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the men of Ai looked back, they could see the city going up in smoke. They had no place to go, since the Israelites, who had been running toward the desert, had now turned back on them.

Good News Translation
When the men of Ai looked back, they saw the smoke rising to the sky. There was no way for them to escape, because the Israelites who had run toward the barren country now turned around to attack them.

International Standard Version
Then the men of Ai looked back behind them—and all of a sudden!—smoke from the city was rising into the sky. They were unable to run in any direction, because the Israelis who had fled toward the wilderness had turned around to attack their pursuers.

NET Bible
When the men of Ai turned around, they saw the smoke from the city ascending into the sky and were so shocked they were unable to flee in any direction. In the meantime the men who were retreating to the desert turned against their pursuers.

New Heart English Bible
When the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and look, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way. The people who fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers.

Webster's Bible Translation
And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers.

World English Bible
When the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way. The people who fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the men of Ai look behind them, and see, and behold, the smoke of the city has gone up to the heavens, and there has not been power in them to flee here and there—and the people who are fleeing to the wilderness have turned against the pursuer—

Berean Literal Bible
And the men of Ai looked behind them, and they saw, and behold, the smoke of the city ascended to the heavens. And there was not power in them to flee here or there, and the people who had fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers.

Young's Literal Translation
And the men of Ai look behind them, and see, and lo, the smoke of the city hath gone up unto the heavens, and there hath not been in them power to flee hither and thither -- and the people who are fleeing to the wilderness have turned against the pursuer, --

Smith's Literal Translation
And the men of Ai will turn back behind them and will see, and behold, the smoke of the city went up to the heavens, and there was not with them hands to flee hither and thither: and the people having fled, turned back to the pursuers.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the men of the city, that pursued after Josue, looking back and seeing the smoke of the city rise up to heaven, had no more power to flee this way or that way: especially as they that had counterfeited flight, end were going toward the wilderness, turned back most valiantly against them that pursued.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now the men of the city who were pursuing Joshua, looking back and seeing the smoke of the city rising up even to heaven, were no longer able to flee in one direction or another, especially since those who had pretended to flee, and who were heading toward the wilderness, had turned back very strongly against those who were pursuing them.

New American Bible
By the time the army of Ai looked back, the smoke from the city was going up to the heavens. Escape in any direction was impossible, because the Israelites retreating toward the wilderness now turned on their pursuers;

New Revised Standard Version
So when the men of Ai looked back, the smoke of the city was rising to the sky. They had no power to flee this way or that, for the people who fled to the wilderness turned back against the pursuers.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw the smoke of their city going up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way; and the people of Israel that fled to the wilderness turned back upon their pursuers.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the men of Ai turned their back and they saw the smoke of their city ascending unto Heaven, and they could not flee here or there, and the people of Israel who had fled into the wilderness turned back against its pursuers
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way; and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And when the inhabitants of Gai looked round behind them, then they saw the smoke going up out of the city to heaven, and they were no longer able to flee this way or that way.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Conquest of Ai
19and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire. 20When the men of Ai turned and looked back, the smoke of the city was rising into the sky. They could not escape in any direction, and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now became the pursuers. 21When Joshua and all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and struck down the men of Ai.…

Cross References
When the men of Ai turned and looked back,

Genesis 19:26
But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

Genesis 19:17
As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, “Run for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere on the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!”

Luke 17:32
Remember Lot’s wife!
the smoke of the city was rising into the sky.

Judges 20:40
But when the column of smoke began to go up from the city, the Benjamites looked behind them and saw the whole city going up in smoke.

Genesis 19:28
He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah and all the land of the plain, and he saw the smoke rising from the land like smoke from a furnace.

Revelation 18:18
and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim.
They could not escape in any direction,

2 Kings 25:4-5
Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, / but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and his whole army deserted him.

Jeremiah 46:6
“The swift cannot flee, and the warrior cannot escape! In the north by the River Euphrates they stumble and fall.

Amos 9:1-4
I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said: “Strike the tops of the pillars so that the thresholds shake. Topple them on the heads of all the people, and I will kill the rest with the sword. None of those who flee will get away; none of the fugitives will escape. / Though they dig down to Sheol, from there My hand will take them; and though they climb up to heaven, from there I will pull them down. / Though they hide themselves atop Carmel, there I will track them and seize them; and though they hide from Me at the bottom of the sea, there I will command the serpent to bite them. …
and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers.

Judges 20:34-42
Then 10,000 select men from all Israel made a frontal assault against Gibeah, and the battle was fierce. But the Benjamites did not realize that disaster was upon them. / The LORD defeated Benjamin in the presence of Israel, and on that day the Israelites slaughtered 25,100 Benjamites, all armed with swords. / Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah. …

Judges 7:19-22
Gideon and the hundred men with him reached the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, just after the changing of the guard. They blew their horns and broke the jars that were in their hands. / The three companies blew their horns and shattered their jars. Holding the torches in their left hands and the horns in their right hands, they shouted, “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” / Each Israelite took his position around the camp, and the entire Midianite army fled, crying out as they ran. …

2 Chronicles 20:22-24
The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. / When the men of Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked for the vast army, but there were only corpses lying on the ground; no one had escaped.
Exodus 14:24-25
At morning watch, however, the LORD looked down on the army of the Egyptians from the pillar of fire and cloud, and He threw their camp into confusion. / He caused their chariot wheels to wobble, so that they had difficulty driving. “Let us flee from the Israelites,” said the Egyptians, “for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt!”

Judges 20:36-41
Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah. / 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, …

2 Kings 3:22-23
When they got up early in the morning, the sun was shining on the water, and it looked as red as blood to the Moabites across the way. / “This is blood!” they exclaimed. “The kings have clashed swords and slaughtered one another. Now to the plunder, Moab!”

2 Samuel 5:24
As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.”


Treasury of Scripture

And when the men of Ai looked behind them, they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back on the pursuers.

the smoke

Genesis 19:28
And he looked toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the plain, and beheld, and, lo, the smoke of the country went up as the smoke of a furnace.

Isaiah 34:10
It shall not be quenched night nor day; the smoke thereof shall go up for ever: from generation to generation it shall lie waste; none shall pass through it for ever and ever.

Revelation 18:9
And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning,

and they had

Job 11:20
But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

Psalm 48:5,6
They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted away…

Psalm 76:5
The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep: and none of the men of might have found their hands.

power [heb] hand

Jump to Previous
Ai Ascended City Heaven Power Pursuers Smoke Turned Way Wilderness
Jump to Next
Ai Ascended City Heaven Power Pursuers Smoke Turned Way Wilderness
Joshua 8
1. God encourages Joshua
3. 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












When the men of Ai turned and looked back
This phrase highlights a pivotal moment in the battle strategy orchestrated by Joshua. The men of Ai, confident in their initial pursuit of the Israelites, are caught off guard. This turning back signifies a realization of their vulnerability. Biblically, this moment echoes the theme of divine intervention and strategic wisdom granted to Israel, reminiscent of other instances where God confounds Israel's enemies, such as in Exodus 14:24-25 during the crossing of the Red Sea.

the smoke of the city was rising into the sky
The rising smoke serves as a signal of the successful ambush and destruction of Ai, fulfilling God's promise of victory. This imagery of smoke is often associated with divine judgment and presence, as seen in Genesis 19:28 with the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Archaeologically, the site of Ai has been debated, but the narrative underscores the completeness of the conquest, a common theme in ancient Near Eastern warfare accounts.

They could not escape in any direction
This phrase emphasizes the totality of the trap set by Joshua. The men of Ai find themselves surrounded, illustrating the completeness of God's deliverance for Israel. This mirrors the fate of the Egyptians in Exodus 14:27-28, where they were similarly trapped and defeated. Theologically, it underscores the futility of opposing God's plans and the assurance of His promises to His people.

and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers
The strategic retreat by the Israelites was a ruse, drawing Ai's forces away from the city. This turning back signifies the reversal of fortunes, a common biblical motif where God turns the plans of the wicked against them, as seen in Esther 9:1. The wilderness, often a place of testing and encounter with God, here becomes the staging ground for victory. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of God using unexpected means and places to achieve His purposes, foreshadowing the ultimate victory through Christ, who often turned societal expectations upside down.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joshua
The leader of the Israelites, who succeeded Moses and led the people into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the conquest of Canaan.

2. Ai
A Canaanite city that the Israelites attacked and eventually conquered. The initial defeat at Ai was due to Achan's sin, but this passage describes the successful second attempt.

3. The Israelites
The people of God, chosen to inherit the Promised Land. They are executing God's judgment on the Canaanite cities as part of their divine mandate.

4. The Men of Ai
The defenders of the city of Ai, who initially repelled the Israelites but were ultimately defeated due to a strategic ambush.

5. The Ambush
A military tactic used by Joshua and the Israelites to deceive and defeat the men of Ai, involving a feigned retreat and a surprise attack.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The initial defeat at Ai was due to disobedience. Obedience to God is crucial for success in our spiritual battles.

God's Strategic Wisdom
Just as God provided Joshua with a strategy for victory, He offers us wisdom and guidance in our daily lives.

The Power of Repentance and Restoration
After dealing with Achan's sin, the Israelites were restored and able to achieve victory. Repentance restores our relationship with God.

Trust in God's Timing
The Israelites had to wait for God's instruction before attacking Ai again. Trusting in God's timing is essential for our spiritual journey.

Victory Through Faith
The Israelites' victory at Ai was a result of faith in God's promises. Our faith in Christ assures us of victory over life's challenges.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Joshua 8:20?

2. How does Joshua 8:20 demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises?

3. What strategic lessons can we learn from Israel's victory at Ai?

4. How does Joshua 8:20 connect to God's guidance in previous battles?

5. How can we apply the principle of obedience from Joshua 8:20 today?

6. What does the "smoke rising from the city" symbolize in our spiritual battles?

7. How does Joshua 8:20 demonstrate God's involvement in Israel's military victories?

8. What archaeological evidence supports the events described in Joshua 8:20?

9. How does the burning of Ai in Joshua 8:20 align with God's justice?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 8?

11. Where is the archaeological evidence confirming the six cities of refuge mentioned in Joshua 20:7-8?

12. Where is the archaeological evidence supporting the complete destruction of Ai (Joshua 8:28)?

13. Why does the ambush strategy described in Joshua 8:2-22 differ from other accounts of Israelite conquests?

14. What are key events in Joshua's life?
What Does Joshua 8:20 Mean
When the men of Ai turned and looked back

- The defenders, confident a moment earlier, suddenly realize something has changed behind them (Joshua 8:14–17).

- Their shock parallels moments when enemies of God’s people are caught off-guard—see Exodus 14:24 when Pharaoh’s army looks up to find the LORD fighting against them.

- God’s strategy often involves exposing human overconfidence and forcing a sudden, humbling “look back” (Psalm 33:10–11).


the smoke of the city was rising into the sky

- The column of smoke is a visible sign that the ambush has succeeded (Joshua 8:19).

- Similar smoke marks decisive judgment in Genesis 19:28 (Sodom) and Judges 20:40 (Gibeah), underscoring that God’s justice is unmistakable.

- From Israel’s vantage, the smoke is assurance of victory; from Ai’s vantage, it is terror—echoing Exodus 19:18 where smoke signals God’s powerful presence.


They could not escape in any direction

- With their city burning and Israel’s main force now blocking the road, every route is sealed (Joshua 8:16, 22).

- Proverbs 21:30 reminds us, “There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD”; His plans hem in the wicked.

- This moment anticipates later victories where God surrounds foes—2 Chronicles 20:22–23 and Isaiah 13:14.


and the troops who had fled to the wilderness now turned against their pursuers

- Israel’s apparent retreat was a deliberate tactic; now the same troops pivot to close the trap (Joshua 8:5–6, 20–22).

- The reversal pictures God’s habit of turning weakness into strength—see Judges 7:19–22 (Gideon) and 2 Kings 7:6.

- What enemies thought was flight becomes the instrument of their defeat, illustrating Romans 8:31: “If God is for us, who can be against us?”


summary

Joshua 8:20 captures the climactic instant when God’s plan, executed through Israel’s obedience, flips the battle. Ai’s warriors glance back, see judgment in smoke, find every escape cut off, and face the very men they had chased. The verse showcases the LORD’s sovereignty, the reliability of His promises, and His ability to transform apparent retreat into total victory.

Verse 20. - And they had no power. Literally, no hands. Our version here follows the Arabic, Syriac, and Chaldee versions. The LXX. and Vulgate render no direction in which to fly. But in this case לָהֶם would seem preferable to בָהֶם. The Vulgate translates the last clause of the verse, "Praesertim cum hi, qui simulaverint fugam... fortissime restitissent." They could not flee back to the city, for it was in flames. They could not advance northward, because the Israelites had faced about and were coming to meet them. To flee in any other direction would be to cut off the last hope of saving the city. For יָד in the sense of side or direction, however, see Exodus 2:5; Deuteronomy 2:37, and especially the dual, as here, in Genesis 34:21; Isaiah 33:21.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When the men
אַנְשֵׁי֩ (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of Ai
הָעַ֨י (hā·‘ay)
Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5857: Ai -- a Canaanite city

turned
וַיִּפְנ֣וּ (way·yip̄·nū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6437: To turn, to face, appear, look

and looked
וַיִּרְא֗וּ (way·yir·’ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

back,
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֜ם (’a·ḥă·rê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

the smoke
עֲשַׁ֤ן (‘ă·šan)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6227: Smoke

of the city
הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

was rising
עָלָ֜ה (‘ā·lāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

to the sky.
הַשָּׁמַ֔יְמָה (haš·šā·may·māh)
Article | Noun - masculine plural | third person feminine singular
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

They could not
וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

escape
לָנ֖וּס (lā·nūs)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

in any direction,
הֵ֣נָּה (hên·nāh)
Adverb
Strong's 2008: Hither, thither

and the troops
וְהָעָם֙ (wə·hā·‘ām)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who had fled
הַנָּ֣ס (han·nās)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5127: To flit, vanish away

to the wilderness
הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר (ham·miḏ·bār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4057: A pasture, a desert, speech

now became the pursuers.
הָרוֹדֵֽף׃ (hā·rō·w·ḏêp̄)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7291: To pursue, chase, persecute


Links
Joshua 8:20 NIV
Joshua 8:20 NLT
Joshua 8:20 ESV
Joshua 8:20 NASB
Joshua 8:20 KJV

Joshua 8:20 BibleApps.com
Joshua 8:20 Biblia Paralela
Joshua 8:20 Chinese Bible
Joshua 8:20 French Bible
Joshua 8:20 Catholic Bible

OT History: Joshua 8:20 When the men of Ai looked behind (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 8:19
Top of Page
Top of Page