Book of Joshua - Chapter 7 - Verse 5

This verse comes from the book of Joshua in the Old Testament. In this particular verse, the men of Ai have defeated about thirty-six men of Israel, causing the hearts of the people to melt and become weak like water. The defeat of the Israelites was a result of their disobedience to God's commands. Prior to this battle, Joshua had been warned not to take anything from Jericho as plunder, but Achan had disobeyed and taken some items for himself. As a result, God withdrew his protection from the Israelites, leading to their defeat at Ai. The defeat served as a wake-up call for the Israelites to repent and seek forgiveness from God. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of following God's commands.

In this verse from Joshua 7:5, the theological interpretation allows us to understand the consequence of sin and disobedience in the eyes of God. The men of Ai were able to defeat the Israelites because of the sin of Achan, who had taken forbidden treasures from Jericho. This defeat serves as a reminder of the importance of following God's commands and the consequences of turning away from His will. The word "Shebarim" in this verse is significant as it refers to the rocky terrain where the men of Ai pursued and smote the Israelites. This detail adds to the vivid imagery of the battle and serves as a reminder of the fierce nature of the conflict. The phrase "hearts of the people melted, and became as water" illustrates the fear and demoralization that the defeat brought upon the Israelites. It highlights the psychological impact of their loss and the overwhelming sense of defeat that they experienced.