# let themselves be defeated before them

"let themselves be defeated before the people of Ai." The phrase "before them" represents what the people of Ai would see and think. AT: "let the people of Ai think that the Israelites were defeated" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# let themselves be defeated before them

The phrase "be defeated" can be stated in active form. AT: "let the people of Ai think that they had defeated the Israelites" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# before them ... they went after ... they were drawn away

The words "them" and "they" here refer to the army of Ai.

# they fled ... go after them

The words "they" and "them" here refer to the army of Isreal.

# All the people who were in the city were called together

This can be stated in active form. AT: "The city leaders called all the people in the city together" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# All the people who were in the city

The writer speaks in a general way about all the people, but "all the people" refers only to those who could fight. AT: "all the people in the city who could help chase the army of Israel" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])

# left it open

"left the city gates open"

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/joshua]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/israel]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/desert]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/ai]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/names/bethel]]