8:15a

The Hebrew connector that the Berean Standard Bible leaves untranslated but many English versions translate as “And” indicates the next event in the story.

Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them: Joshua and the Israelite soldiers pretended that the soldiers of Ai were winning the battle by running away from them.

all Israel: The phrase all Israel refers to the Israelite soldiers.

8:15b

and they fled toward the wilderness: The word fled means “ran away.” The Israelite soldiers ran away towards the wilderness.

the wilderness: The wilderness refers to the uninhabited land east of Ai, between Ai and the Jordan River valley. Only a little vegetation grows in this area. Although some English versions use the word “desert,” this area is not sand. It is a rocky area that leads down to the Jordan River valley.

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