NET Bible
"All the reinforcements in Ai were ordered to chase them; they chased Joshua and were lured away from the city."
— Joshua 8:16, NET Bible
“And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.”
“And all the people that were in the city were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. ”
“All the people who were in the city were called together to pursue after them. They pursued Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.”
“But they shouting together, and encouraging one another, pursued them. And when they were come from the city,”
“And all the people in Ai came together to go after them; and they went after Joshua, moving away from the town.”
“And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.”
The army was in position– the main army north of the city and the rear guard west of the city. That night Joshua went into the middle of the valley.
When the king of Ai saw Israel, they rushed to get up early. Then the men of the city went out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his people, at the meeting place near the rift valley. But he did not realize an ambush was waiting for him behind the city.
Joshua and all Israel pretended to be defeated by them and they retreated along the way to the wilderness.
All the reinforcements in Ai were ordered to chase them; they chased Joshua and were lured away from the city.
No men were left in Ai or Bethel; they all went out after Israel. They left the city wide open and chased Israel.
The LORD told Joshua,“Hold out toward Ai the curved sword in your hand, for I am handing the city over to you.” So Joshua held out toward Ai the curved sword in his hand.
When he held out his hand, the men waiting in ambush rose up quickly from their place and attacked. They entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire.