Old Testament
Joshua 7:10
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
The LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this?"
Compare translations
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?
What Joshua 7:10 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, God addresses Joshua, who is in a posture of despair and mourning after Israel's defeat at Ai. Joshua had fallen on his face, likely seeking guidance and expressing grief over the loss. God’s command to 'get up' signifies that it is time for Joshua to stop lamenting and to take action. This moment highlights the importance of not dwelling in defeat but rather moving forward in faith. God is reminding Joshua that there is a need for accountability and action in the face of failure. The defeat was due to sin in the camp, and God wanted Joshua to confront the issue rather than remain passive. This interaction emphasizes God's desire for His leaders to be proactive and to seek solutions rather than wallow in despair.
How to apply Joshua 7:10 to your life
When faced with setbacks, it’s easy to feel defeated and overwhelmed. However, like Joshua, we must remember to rise up and seek God’s guidance. Instead of remaining in despair, we should confront our challenges and take proactive steps to address the issues at hand, trusting in God’s direction.
Curated for this public verse page. Joshua Summary
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Joshua's story: Defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:1–26)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Joshua
Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Joshua 7:10
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Joshua 7:10
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Joshua
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Joshua and later compilers
- Written
- Around 1400-1370 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites entering Canaan
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Joshua 7:10 mean?
In Joshua 7:10, God tells Joshua to stop mourning and take action after Israel's defeat at Ai. This verse emphasizes the need for leaders to confront issues and not remain passive in the face of failure.
Why was Joshua lying on his face in Joshua 7:10?
Joshua was lying on his face in despair and mourning after Israel's defeat at Ai, seeking guidance and expressing grief over the loss. This posture reflects his deep concern for the situation.
What lesson can we learn from Joshua 7:10?
Joshua 7:10 teaches us that when faced with setbacks, we should not remain in despair but instead seek God's guidance and take action to address our challenges.
How does Joshua 7:10 relate to accountability?
Joshua 7:10 relates to accountability as it shows that God expects leaders to confront sin and issues within their community rather than ignore them, emphasizing the need for responsibility in leadership.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.