Old Testament
Joshua 7:10
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In this verse, God addresses Joshua, who is in a posture of despair and mourning after Israel's defeat at Ai.
- Author
- Traditionally attributed to Joshua and later compilers
- Written
- Around 1400-1370 BC
- Genre
- Historical narrative
- Original Audience
- The Israelites entering Canaan
The LORD said to Joshua, "Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this?"
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?
Verse Analysis
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. Explore related leadership.
Related Bible verses
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
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.

The Book of Joshua
1: God Commissions Joshua
After the death of Moses, the Lord commissions Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God commands him to be strong and courageous, assuring him of success and divine presence, just as He was with Moses. He instructs Joshua to meditate on the Book of the Law day and night and to observe all that is written in it, for then he will be prosperous and successful. Joshua, in turn, commands the officers of the people to prepare for the crossing of the Jordan River within three days. He also reminds the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh of their promise to Moses to help their brethren conquer the land west of the Jordan before returning to their own inheritance on the east side. The people pledge their loyalty to Joshua, promising to obey him as they did Moses and encouraging him to be strong and courageous.
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