5 And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,
5 I and all those with me will advance on the city, and when the men come out against us, as they did before, we will flee from them.
5 And I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And when they come out against us just as before, we shall flee before them.
5 I and the troops with me will approach the city head-on. When they come out to meet us just as before, we'll turn and run.
5 Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city; and it will come about, when they come out against us as at the first, that we shall flee before them.
5 When our main army attacks, the men of Ai will come out to fight as they did before, and we will run away from them.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 8:5
Commentary on Joshua 8:3-22
(Read Joshua 8:3-22)
Observe Joshua's conduct and prudence. Those that would maintain their spiritual conflicts must not love their ease. Probably he went into the valley alone, to pray to God for a blessing, and he did not seek in vain. He never drew back till the work was done. Those that have stretched out their hands against their spiritual enemies, must never draw them back.