Joshua 8:14 Meaning and Explanation
“And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Seeing Israel, the king of Ai hurries out with all his people to battle, unaware of the ambush waiting behind his city.
What Does Joshua 8:14 Mean?
The king of Ai takes the bait. Seeing Israel arrayed before him, he and all his men rush out to fight at the appointed place, confident from their earlier victory. The narrator adds the fatal detail: "he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city."
That single clause of ignorance decides everything. The king moves boldly, but he moves blind, certain he understands the situation when in fact a hidden reality has already sealed his fate. It is a sober picture of all who act in confident self-assurance while leaving God out of their reckoning. To go to battle, or to face life, not knowing what truly stands behind us, is the most dangerous confidence of all.
Joshua 8:14 in the Original Language
wist (יָדַע), 'knew' -- to perceive or be aware; the king acted without true knowledge of his peril.
Frequently Asked Questions About Joshua 8:14
What does Joshua 8:14 mean?
Seeing Israel, the king of Ai hurries out with all his people to battle, unaware of the ambush waiting behind his city.