Joshua 7:8
New International Version
Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?

New Living Translation
Lord, what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies?

English Standard Version
O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies!

Berean Standard Bible
O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?

King James Bible
O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turneth their backs before their enemies!

New King James Version
O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies?

New American Standard Bible
O Lord, what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies?

NASB 1995
“O Lord, what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies?

NASB 1977
“O Lord, what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies?

Legacy Standard Bible
O Lord, what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies?

Amplified Bible
O Lord, what can I say now that [the army of] Israel has turned back [in retreat and fled] before their enemies?

Christian Standard Bible
What can I say, Lord, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
What can I say, Lord, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?

American Standard Version
Oh, Lord, what shall I say, after that Israel hath turned their backs before their enemies!

Contemporary English Version
I don't even know what to say to you, since Israel's army has turned and run from the enemy.

English Revised Version
Oh Lord, what shall I say, after that Israel hath turned their backs before their enemies!

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Lord, what else can I say after Israel ran away from its enemy?

Good News Translation
What can I say, O Lord, now that Israel has retreated from the enemy?

International Standard Version
Lord, what am I to say, now that Israel has run away from its enemies?

Majority Standard Bible
O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies?

NET Bible
If only we had been satisfied to live on the other side of the Jordan! O Lord, what can I say now that Israel has retreated before its enemies?

New Heart English Bible
Oh, Lord, what shall I say, after that Israel has turned their backs before their enemies.

Webster's Bible Translation
O Lord, what shall I say, when Israel turn their backs before their enemies!

World English Bible
Oh, Lord, what shall I say, after Israel has turned their backs before their enemies?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Oh, Lord, what do I say, after that Israel has turned the neck before its enemies?

Young's Literal Translation
Oh, Lord, what do I say, after that Israel hath turned the neck before its enemies?

Smith's Literal Translation
With leave, O Lord, what to say, after that Israel turned back the neck before his enemies.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
My Lord God, what shall I say, seeing Israel turning their backs to their enemies?

Catholic Public Domain Version
My Lord God, what shall I say, seeing Israel turning their backs to their enemies?

New American Bible
Please, Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back to its enemies?

New Revised Standard Version
O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned their backs to their enemies!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Now, what shall I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies!

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And what therefore shall I say when Israel has turned his back before his enemies?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Oh, Lord, what shall I say, after that Israel hath turned their backs before their enemies!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And what shall I say since Israel has turned his back before his enemy?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Israel Defeated at Ai
7“O, Lord GOD,” Joshua said, “why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be destroyed? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! 8O Lord, what can I say, now that Israel has turned its back and run from its enemies? 9When the Canaanites and all who live in the land hear about this, they will surround us and wipe out our name from the earth. Then what will You do for Your great name?”…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:41-45
“We have sinned against the LORD,” you replied. “We will go up and fight, as the LORD our God has commanded us.” Then each of you put on his weapons of war, thinking it easy to go up into the hill country. / But the LORD said to me, “Tell them not to go up and fight, for I am not with you to keep you from defeat by your enemies.” / So I spoke to you, but you would not listen. You rebelled against the command of the LORD and presumptuously went up into the hill country. ...

Numbers 14:39-45
And when Moses relayed these words to all the Israelites, the people mourned bitterly. / Early the next morning they got up and went up toward the ridge of the hill country. “We have indeed sinned,” they said, “but we will go to the place the LORD has promised.” / But Moses said, “Why are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD? This will not succeed! ...

Judges 20:23
They went up and wept before the LORD until evening, inquiring of Him, “Should we again draw near for battle against our brothers the Benjamites?” And the LORD answered, “Go up against them.”

1 Samuel 4:3-11
When the troops returned to the camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why has the LORD brought defeat on us before the Philistines today? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD from Shiloh, so that it may go with us to save us from the hand of our enemies.” / So the people sent men to Shiloh, and they brought back the ark of the covenant of the LORD of Hosts, who sits enthroned between the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. / When the ark of the covenant of the LORD entered the camp, all the Israelites raised such a great shout that the ground shook. ...

2 Samuel 22:28
You save an afflicted people, but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

Psalm 44:9-16
But You have rejected and humbled us; You no longer go forth with our armies. / You have made us retreat from the foe, and those who hate us have plundered us. / You have given us up as sheep to be devoured; You have scattered us among the nations. ...

Isaiah 59:1-2
Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. / But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.

Jeremiah 7:12-15
But go now to the place in Shiloh where I first made a dwelling for My Name, and see what I did to it because of the wickedness of My people Israel. / And now, because you have done all these things, declares the LORD, and because I have spoken to you again and again but you would not listen, and I have called to you but you would not answer, / therefore what I did to Shiloh I will now do to the house that bears My Name, the house in which you trust, the place that I gave to you and your fathers. ...

Lamentations 3:40-42
Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD. / Let us lift up our hearts and hands to God in heaven: / “We have sinned and rebelled; You have not forgiven.”

Hosea 5:15
Then I will return to My place until they admit their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

1 Chronicles 10:13-14
So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, / and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Matthew 17:19-20
Afterward the disciples came to Jesus privately and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” / “Because you have so little faith,” He answered. “For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Mark 9:28-29
After Jesus had gone into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” / Jesus answered, “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.”

Luke 9:40-41
I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.” / “O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”


Treasury of Scripture

O LORD, what shall I say, when Israel turns their backs before their enemies!

what shall

Ezra 9:10
And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments,

Habakkuk 2:1
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

Romans 3:5,6
But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man) …

back [heb] necks

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Joshua 7
1. The Israelites are smitten at Ai
6. Joshua's complaint
10. God instructs him what to do
16. Achan is taken by the lot
19. His confession
24. He and all he had are destroyed in the valley of Achor














O Lord
This phrase is a direct address to God, indicating a personal and intimate relationship. The Hebrew word used here is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, which signifies His eternal presence and faithfulness. Joshua's invocation of "O Lord" reflects a deep reliance on God's sovereignty and a recognition of His ultimate authority over Israel's fate. In times of distress, calling upon the Lord is a demonstration of faith and acknowledgment of His power to intervene.

what can I say
This expression reveals Joshua's bewilderment and desperation. The Hebrew root "amar" (to say) implies not just speaking but also expressing one's thoughts and emotions. Joshua is at a loss for words, highlighting the gravity of the situation. This phrase underscores the importance of seeking divine wisdom when human understanding falls short, reminding believers that God's perspective is essential in times of crisis.

now that Israel has turned its back
The imagery of turning one's back is significant in the Hebrew context, symbolizing retreat and shame. The phrase suggests a failure to uphold the covenantal promise of victory over enemies. Historically, Israel's military success was contingent upon their obedience to God. This turning away is not just a physical retreat but a spiritual one, indicating a breach in their relationship with God. It serves as a cautionary reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the need for repentance.

and run from its enemies
The act of running from enemies is a stark contrast to the expected triumph promised by God. The Hebrew word "nus" (to flee) conveys a sense of panic and defeat. This phrase highlights the reversal of Israel's fortunes due to sin within the camp, specifically Achan's transgression. It serves as a powerful lesson on the impact of individual sin on the community and the necessity of holiness and unity in the pursuit of God's promises.

Verse 8. - What shall I say? To encourage the people who will be downcast by this defeat, while their enemies will gather courage.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
O
בִּ֖י (bî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 994: Oh that!, with leave, if it please

Lord,
אֲדֹנָ֑י (’ă·ḏō·nāy)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 136: The Lord

what
מָ֣ה (māh)
Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

can I say,
אֹמַ֔ר (’ō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

now that
אַ֠חֲרֵי (’a·ḥă·rê)
Preposition
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

has turned
הָפַ֧ךְ (hā·p̄aḵ)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert

its back
עֹ֖רֶף (‘ō·rep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6203: The nape, back of the neck, the back

and run from
לִפְנֵ֥י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

its enemies?
אֹיְבָֽיו׃ (’ō·yə·ḇāw)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 341: Hating, an adversary


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OT History: Joshua 7:8 Oh Lord what shall I say after (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 7:7
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