Discovery BoxJoshua 7:5 
Context7:5 The men of Ai killed about thirty-six of them and chased them from in front of the city gate all the way to the fissures 1 and defeated them on the steep slope. 2 The people’s 3 courage melted away like water. 4
Joshua 7:11-12
Context7:11 Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenantal commandment! 5 They have taken some of the riches; 6 they have stolen them and deceitfully put them among their own possessions. 7 7:12 The Israelites are unable to stand before their enemies; they retreat because they have become subject to annihilation. 8 I will no longer be with you, 9 unless you destroy what has contaminated you. 10
1 tn The meaning and correct translation of the Hebrew word שְׁבָרִים (shÿvarim) is uncertain. The translation “fissures” is based on usage of the plural form of the noun in Ps 60:4 HT (60:2 ET), where it appears to refer to cracks in the earth caused by an earthquake. Perhaps deep ravines or gorges are in view, or the word is a proper noun (“all the way to Shebarim”).
2 sn The precise geographical location of the Israelite defeat at this “steep slope” is uncertain.
3 tn Or “army’s.”
4 tn Heb “and the heart of the people melted and became water.”
5 tn Heb “They have violated my covenant which I commanded them.”
6 tn Heb “what was set apart [to the
7 tn Heb “and also they have stolen, and also they have lied, and also they have placed [them] among their items.”
8 tn Heb “they turn [the] back before their enemies because they are set apart [to destruction by the
9 tn The second person pronoun is plural in Hebrew, indicating these words are addressed to the entire nation.
10 tn Heb “what is set apart [to destruction by the
