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Joshua 7:5

King James Version (KJV)

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— D.L. Moody

Joshua 7:5

Verse 5 of 26

Scripture focus

And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them [from] before the gate [even] unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: wherefore the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.

Joshua 7:5 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Joshua 7:5

Theological / Devotional

Shebarim. The word thus translated is from a root meaning “to break in pieces.” Most versions give it as a proper name. This would make of it a site between Ai and Jericho, presumably of a stone quarry. However, no stone quarry has been located in the vicinity, and it is reasonable to suppose that the remains of a stone quarry would not be completely obliterated by time. The Vaticanus manuscript and some Syriac versions, together with the Targums, translate the expression, “unto their [Israel’s] being broken.” One Syriac edition reads, “until they [Israel] were routed,” translating rather than transliterating the Hebrew. The latter suggestion appears to be more in harmony with the context.

The going down. The LXX reads, “from the steep hill,” and the RSV, “at the descent.” Evidently the fleeing Israelites entered a narrow and steep ravine that delayed them in flight. Here, it would seem, they became panic-stricken, and in the confusion the hindmost were smitten.

By SdaBc