8 Pardon your servant, Lord. What can I say, now that Israel has been routed by its enemies?
8 O Lord, what can I say, when Israel has turned their backs before their enemies!
8 Oh, Master, what can I say after this, after Israel has been run off by its enemies?
8 O Lord, what shall I say when Israel turns its back before its enemies?
8 Lord, what can I say now that Israel has fled from its enemies?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 7:8
Commentary on Joshua 7:6-9
(Read Joshua 7:6-9)
Joshua's concern for the honour of God, more than even for the fate of Israel, was the language of the Spirit of adoption. He pleaded with God. He laments their defeat, as he feared it would reflect on God's wisdom and power, his goodness and faithfulness. We cannot at any time urge a better plea than this, Lord, what wilt thou do for thy great name? Let God be glorified in all, and then welcome his whole will.