New International Version And Joshua said, “Alas, Sovereign LORD, why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! New Living Translation Then Joshua cried out, “Oh, Sovereign LORD, why did you bring us across the Jordan River if you are going to let the Amorites kill us? If only we had been content to stay on the other side! English Standard Version And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord GOD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hands of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell beyond the Jordan! Berean Standard Bible “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! Berean Literal Bible And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord YHWH, why did You ever cause this people to pass over the Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorite, to destroy us? And if only we had been content and had stayed on the other side of the Jordan! King James Bible And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan! New King James Version And Joshua said, “Alas, Lord GOD, why have You brought this people over the Jordan at all—to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Oh, that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! New American Standard Bible And Joshua said, “Oh, Lord GOD! Why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan, only to hand us over to the Amorites, to eliminate us? If only we had been willing to live beyond the Jordan! NASB 1995 Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord GOD, why did You ever bring this people over the Jordan, only to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan! NASB 1977 And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord GOD, why didst Thou ever bring this people over the Jordan, only to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan! Legacy Standard Bible Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord Yahweh, why did You ever bring this people over the Jordan, only to give us into the hand of the Amorites, to make us perish? If only we had been willing to live beyond the Jordan! Amplified Bible Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord GOD, why have You brought this people across the Jordan at all, only to hand us over to the Amorites, to destroy us? If only we had been willing to live beyond the Jordan! Berean Annotated Bible “O, Lord GOD {Adonai YHWH}, Joshua (YHWH saves) said, “why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan (flowing down) to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites (sayers) to be destroyed? If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! Christian Standard Bible “Oh, Lord GOD,” Joshua said, “why did you ever bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites for our destruction? If only we had been content to remain on the other side of the Jordan! Holman Christian Standard Bible Oh, Lord GOD,” Joshua said, “why did You ever bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites for our destruction? If only we had been content to remain on the other side of the Jordan! American Standard Version And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord Jehovah, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over the Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? would that we had been content and dwelt beyond the Jordan! Contemporary English Version Then Joshua said: Our LORD, did you bring us across the Jordan River just so the Amorites could destroy us? This wouldn't have happened if we had agreed to stay on the other side of the Jordan. English Revised Version And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? would that we had been content and dwelt beyond Jordan! GOD'S WORD® Translation Joshua said, "Almighty LORD, why did you bring these people across the Jordan River? Was it to hand us over to the Amorites so that they could destroy us? I wish we had been content to live on the other side of the Jordan! Good News Translation And Joshua said, "Sovereign LORD! Why did you bring us across the Jordan at all? To turn us over to the Amorites? To destroy us? Why didn't we just stay on the other side of the Jordan? International Standard Version "Lord GOD," Joshua asked, "Why have you brought this people across the Jordan River? To hand us over to the Amorites so we'll be destroyed? Wouldn't it have been better for us to be content to settle on the other side of the Jordan? NET Bible Joshua prayed, "O, Master, LORD! Why did you bring these people across the Jordan to hand us over to the Amorites so they could destroy us? New Heart English Bible Joshua said, "Alas, LORD, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? I wish that we had been content and lived beyond the Jordan. Webster's Bible Translation And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord GOD, why hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? O that we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of Jordan. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Bible“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! World English Bible Joshua said, “Alas, Lord Yahweh, why have you brought this people over the Jordan at all, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? I wish that we had been content and lived beyond the Jordan! Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Joshua says, “Aah! Lord YHWH, why have You caused this people to pass over the Jordan at all, to give us into the hand of the Amorite to destroy us? And oh that we had been willing—and we dwell beyond the Jordan! Berean Literal Bible And Joshua said, “Alas, O Lord YHWH, why did You ever cause this people to pass over the Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorite, to destroy us? And if only we had been content and had stayed on the other side of the Jordan! Young's Literal Translation And Joshua saith, 'Ah, Lord Jehovah, why hast Thou at all caused this people to pass over the Jordan, to give us into the hand of the Amorite to destroy us? -- and oh that we had been willing -- and we dwell beyond the Jordan! Smith's Literal Translation And Joshua will say, Ah! Lord Jehovah, wherefore, passing over, didst thou cause this people to pass over Jordan, to give us into the hand of the Amorite, to destroy us? and would we were contented and dwelt on the other side of Jordan. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Josue said: Alas, O Lord God, why wouldst thou bring this people over the river Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorrhite, and to destroy us? would God, we had stayed beyond the Jordan as we began. Catholic Public Domain Version And Joshua said: “Alas, O Lord God! Why would you want to lead this people over the river Jordan, so that you might deliver us into the hand of the Amorite and destroy us? I wish that we had remained beyond the Jordan, as when we began. New American Bible “Alas, Lord GOD,” Joshua prayed, “why did you ever allow this people to cross over the Jordan, delivering us into the power of the Amorites, that they might destroy us? Would that we had been content to dwell on the other side of the Jordan. New Revised Standard Version Joshua said, “Ah, Lord GOD! Why have you brought this people across the Jordan at all, to hand us over to the Amorites so as to destroy us? Would that we had been content to settle beyond the Jordan! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd Joshua said, Alas, O LORD God, why hast thou brought this people over the Jordan, to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites? Would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side of the Jordan! Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Yeshua said: “Oh, LORD JEHOVAH God, why have you made this people cross over this Jordan, that you would hand us over into the hand of the Amorites? Oh that we were dwelling by ourselves indeed at the crossing of Jordan! OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And Joshua said: 'Alas, O Lord GOD, wherefore hast Thou at all brought this people over the Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to cause us to perish? would that we had been content and dwelt beyond the Jordan! Brenton Septuagint Translation And Joshua said, I pray, Lord, wherefore has thy servant brought this people over Jordan to deliver them to the Amorite to destroy us? would we had remained and settled ourselves beyond Jordan. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context Israel Defeated at Ai…6Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell facedown before the ark of the LORD until evening, as did the elders of Israel; and they all sprinkled dust on their heads. 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?… Cross References “O, Lord GOD,” Joshua said Exodus 5:22-23 So Moses returned to the LORD and asked, “Lord, why have You brought trouble upon this people? Is this why You sent me? / Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in Your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and You have not delivered Your people in any way.” Numbers 11:11-15 So Moses asked the LORD, “Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid upon me the burden of all these people? / Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers? / Where can I get meat for all these people? For they keep crying out to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ … Habakkuk 1:2-3 How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save? / Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds. “why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan Numbers 32:5 “If we have found favor in your sight,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.” Joshua 3:14-17 So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carried the ark of the covenant ahead of them. / Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. But as soon as the priests carrying the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, / the flowing water stood still. It backed up as far upstream as Adam, a city in the area of Zarethan, while the water flowing toward the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. … Joshua 4:23-24 For the LORD your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed over, just as He did to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed over. / He did this so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the LORD is mighty, and so that you may always fear the LORD your God.” to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be destroyed? Deuteronomy 1:27-28 You grumbled in your tents and said, “Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be annihilated. / Where can we go? Our brothers have made our hearts melt, saying: ‘The people are larger and taller than we are; the cities are large, with walls up to the heavens. We even saw the descendants of the Anakim there.’” Numbers 14:2-3 All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! / Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?” Deuteronomy 9:28 Otherwise, those in the land from which You brought us out will say, ‘Because the LORD was not able to bring them into the land He had promised them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’ If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan!” Numbers 32:1-5 Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock. / So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said, / “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, … Numbers 32:18-19 We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has taken possession of his inheritance. / Yet we will not have an inheritance with them across the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.” Deuteronomy 3:18-20 At that time I commanded you: “The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. All your men of valor are to cross over, armed for battle, ahead of your brothers, the Israelites. / But your wives, your children, and your livestock—I know that you have much livestock—may remain in the cities I have given you, / until the LORD gives rest to your brothers as He has to you, and they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them across the Jordan. Then each of you may return to the possession I have given you.” Judges 6:13 “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.” 2 Kings 3:10 “Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!” Psalm 44:9-10 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. Psalm 77:7-9 “Will the Lord spurn us forever and never show His favor again? / Is His loving devotion gone forever? Has His promise failed for all time? / Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has His anger shut off His compassion?” Selah Treasury of Scripture And Joshua said, Alas, O LORD God, why have you at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelled on the other side Jordan! wherefore Exodus 5:22,23 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? why is it that thou hast sent me? … Numbers 14:3 And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? 2 Kings 3:10 And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab! to deliver Exodus 14:11,12 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt? … Exodus 17:3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? Numbers 20:4,5 And why have ye brought up the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there? … would to Exodus 16:3 And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. and dwelt Joshua 1:2-4 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel… Jump to Previous Alas Amorites Cause Content Deliver Destroy Dwelt Hand Jordan Joshua Perish Side Wherefore WishJump to Next Alas Amorites Cause Content Deliver Destroy Dwelt Hand Jordan Joshua Perish Side Wherefore WishJoshua 7 1. The Israelites are smitten at Ai6. 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 GOD,” Joshua said, Joshua spoke from a place of grief after Israel’s unexpected defeat at Ai. He appealed to the God who had led Israel through the Jordan and entrusted the land to them. Exo 5:22-23 So Moses returned to the LORD and asked,… “why did You ever bring this people across the Jordan The victory at Jericho had confirmed God’s power, but the setback at Ai left Joshua unable to see why Israel had failed. He feared that their entrance into Canaan now appeared threatened. Num 32:5 “If we have found favor in your sight,” they said,… to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to be destroyed? The Canaanite peoples remained a formidable presence in the land, and Israel’s loss exposed their vulnerability. Joshua understood that continued success depended on God’s presence and favor. Deu 1:27-28 You grumbled in your tents and said, “Because the LORD hates… If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! In distress, Joshua looked back to the security of the eastern side of the river rather than forward to the promised inheritance. His lament revealed the seriousness of Israel’s situation and prepared for God’s disclosure that sin within the camp had brought defeat. Num 32:1-5 Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds… Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of Israel after Moses, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land. In this verse, he is expressing his distress and confusion to God after a defeat. 2. The Israelites God's chosen people, who have just suffered a defeat at Ai due to disobedience within their ranks. 3. The Jordan River The boundary that the Israelites crossed to enter the Promised Land, symbolizing a significant step of faith and obedience. 4. The Amorites A group of people living in Canaan, representing the enemies of Israel whom they were commanded to conquer. 5. Ai The city where the Israelites faced an unexpected defeat, leading to Joshua's lament. Teaching Points The Reality of Spiritual SetbacksEven after great victories, believers can face unexpected defeats. It's crucial to seek God for understanding and correction. The Importance of Obedience Disobedience, even by one person, can have consequences for the entire community. This highlights the need for communal holiness and accountability. Questioning God in Faith Joshua's lament shows that it's permissible to bring our doubts and questions to God, but we must do so with a heart open to His correction and guidance. God's Sovereignty and Purpose Despite setbacks, God remains sovereign. Believers are called to trust His overarching plan, even when circumstances are confusing. Learning from Past Mistakes Reflecting on past failures can lead to growth and renewed commitment to God's commands. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 7:7?2. How does Joshua 7:7 reflect Joshua's leadership challenges and reliance on God? 3. What can we learn from Joshua's response to setbacks in our spiritual journey? 4. How does Joshua 7:7 connect to God's promises in Deuteronomy 31:6-8? 5. In what ways can we seek God's guidance during times of doubt and failure? 6. How can Joshua's plea in Joshua 7:7 inspire our prayers during difficult times? 7. Why did Joshua question God's decision to bring Israel across the Jordan in Joshua 7:7? 8. How does Joshua 7:7 reflect on God's faithfulness to His promises? 9. What does Joshua 7:7 reveal about human doubt in divine plans? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 7? Verse 7. - Wherefore hast thou at all brought. The LXX. seems in some way to have read עבד for עבר; they translate "why did thy servant cross?" But their rendering is a clear grammatical blunder, for the Masorites remark that the ה is to be preserved. Would to God we had been content. Calvin makes some severe remarks on Joshua's folly and want of faith under this reverse. But it may be paralleled by the conduct of most Christians in adversity. How few are there who can bear even temporal calamity calmly and patiently, even though they have abundant reason to know that temporal affliction is not only no sign of the displeasure of God, but the reverse! And when, through allowing secret sin to lurk within the soul, the Christian is overcome and brought to shame by his spiritual enemies, how much more seldom it is that he has the courage to gird up the loins of his soul and renew the conflict, in full confidence that victory will be his in the end! How much more frequently does he despair of victory, wish he had never undertaken the Christian profession, give up his belief in the protecting care and guidance of God, and desist, at least for a time, from the good fight of faith, to his own serious injury and to the detriment of God's Church! "It is not," adds Calvin, "a new thing for pious minds, when they aspire to seek God with holy zeal, to obscure the light of faith by the vehemence and impetuosity of their affections. And in this way all prayers would be rendered valueless, did not the Lord in His boundless indulgence pardon them, and, wiping away all their stains, receive them as if they were pure. And yet while in thus freely expostulating they cast all their care upon God, this blunt simplicity, though it needs pardon, is yet far more acceptable than the feigned modesty and self restraint of the hypocrites." Joshua 7:7 captures the shock of a leader grappling with unexpected defeat. His heartfelt cry teaches that: • Honest prayer can coexist with unwavering reverence. • Apparent failures prompt us to seek the root cause—often hidden sin—rather than doubt God’s faithfulness. • Longing for past comfort is a temptation to abandon God’s forward call; the right response is repentance and renewed obedience. Ultimately, this verse is not about God abandoning His people but about God refining them so they can advance in victory according to His unchanging promises. Hebrew “O,אֲהָ֣הּ ׀ (’ă·hāh) Interjection Strong's 162: Alas! Lord אֲדֹנָ֣י (’ă·ḏō·nāy) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 136: The Lord GOD,” יְהוִ֗ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3069: YHWH Joshua יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ (yə·hō·wō·šu·a‘) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3091: Joshua -- 'the LORD is salvation', Moses' successor, also the name of a number of Israelites said, וַיֹּ֨אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say “why לָ֠מָה (lā·māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what did You ever bring these הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that people הָעָ֤ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock across הֵעֲבַ֨רְתָּ (hê·‘ă·ḇar·tā) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5674: To pass over, through, or by, pass on the Jordan הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine to hand us over to לָתֵ֥ת (lā·ṯêṯ) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct Strong's 5414: To give, put, set the Amorites הָאֱמֹרִ֖י (hā·’ĕ·mō·rî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 567: Amorites -- perhaps 'mountain dwellers', a Canaanite tribe to be destroyed? לְהַאֲבִידֵ֑נוּ (lə·ha·’ă·ḇî·ḏê·nū) Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | first person common plural Strong's 6: To wander away, lose oneself, to perish If only וְלוּ֙ (wə·lū) Conjunctive waw | Preposition Strong's 3863: If, would that! we had been content הוֹאַ֣לְנוּ (hō·w·’al·nū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - first person common plural Strong's 2974: To show willingness, be pleased, determine, undertake (to do anything) to stay וַנֵּ֔שֶׁב (wan·nê·šeḇ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - first person common plural Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry on the other side בְּעֵ֖בֶר (bə·‘ê·ḇer) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5676: A region across, on the opposite side of the Jordan! הַיַּרְדֵּֽן׃ (hay·yar·dên) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3383: Jordan -- the principal river of Palestine Additonal Resources Joshua 7:7 Blue Letter BibleJoshua 7:7 Bible Gateway Joshua 7:7 Bible.com Joshua 7:7 NIV |
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