SEV Biblia, Chapter 8:20
Y cuando los de la ciudad miraron atrás, observaron, y he aquí el humo de la ciudad que subía al cielo, y no tuvieron poder para huir ni a una parte ni a otra; y el pueblo que iba huyendo hacia el desierto, se volvió contra los que le seguían.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:20
Verse 20. They had no power to flee this way or that way] They were in utter consternation; they saw that the city was taken, they found themselves in the midst of their foes; that their wives, children, and property, had fallen a prey to their enemies, in consequence of which they were so utterly panic-struck as to be incapable of making any resistance.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 20. And when the men of Ai looked behind them , etc.] On some account or another, perhaps observing that the army of Israel made a full stop and was gazing at the city: they saw, and, behold, the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven ; from whence they concluded an enemy was there, and had set fire to it: and they had no power to flee this way or that way ; for if they turned back to their city there was an enemy, how powerful they knew not, possessed of it, and whom they might expect would meet them; and if they pushed forward, there was the whole army of Israel against them, which now turned and faced them, showing no fear of them: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers ; the people of Israel, that fled by the way of the wilderness, ( Joshua 8:15), turned about, and fell upon the men of Ai that pursued them.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 3-22 - Observe Joshua's conduct and prudence. Those that would maintain their spiritual conflicts must not love their ease. Probably he went into the valley alone, to pray to God for a blessing, and he did not seek in vain. He never drew back till the work was done. Those that have stretched out their hands against their spiritual enemies, must neve draw them back.
Original Hebrew
ויפנו 6437 אנשׁי 376 העי 5857 אחריהם 310 ויראו 7200 והנה 2009 עלה 5927 עשׁן 6227 העיר 5892 השׁמימה 8064 ולא 3808 היה 1961 בהם ידים 3027 לנוס 5127 הנה 2008 והנה 2008 והעם 5971 הנס 5127 המדבר 4057 נהפך 2015 אל 413 הרודף׃ 7291
