# 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. Alternate translation: "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. Alternate translation: "let the people of Ai think that they had defeated the Israelites" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# before them

the army of Ai

# they fled ... go after them

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