Joshua 8:12

Verse

Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.

American Standard Version (1901)

And he took about five thousand men, and set them in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city.

And taking about five thousand men, he put them in position for a surprise attack on the west side of Ai, between Beth-el and Ai.

Free Bible Version

He took about five thousand men and had them lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the town.

Geneva Bible 1599

And hee tooke about fiue thousande men, and set them to lye in waite betweene Beth-el and Ai, on the Westside of the citie.

King James (Authorized) Version

And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city.

Translation for Translators

Then Joshua chose about 5,000 men and told them to go and hide just west of the city, between Ai and Bethel.

Unlocked Literal Bible

He took about five thousand men and set them in ambush on the west side of the city between Bethel and Ai.

Noah Webster Bible

And he took about five thousand men; and set them to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city.

World English Bible

He took about five thousand men, and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.

Young's Literal Translation

And he taketh about five thousand men, and setteth them an ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west of the city;

Context

The Conquest of Ai

¹¹Then all the troops who were with him marched up and approached the city. They arrived in front of Ai and camped to the north of it, with the valley between them and the city.¹²Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.¹³So the forces were stationed with the main camp to the north of the city and the rear guard to the west of the city. And that night Joshua went into the valley.

Summary

In Joshua 8:12, we see Joshua taking about five thousand men to set an ambush behind the city of Ai. This strategic military move demonstrates Joshua's leadership and obedience to God's instructions. By following God's guidance, Joshua and the Israelites were able to achieve victory over their enemies, showcasing the importance of faith and reliance on God in times of battle. This verse serves as a reminder of the power of God in providing wisdom and tactics for His people to overcome obstacles and achieve success.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush,.... This was another ambush, as both Jarchi and Kimchi observe; and the latter adds, perhaps he set them nearer the city than the former; though some are of opinion that these are the same ambush spoken of, whose number is here given, being set on the same side of the city; and they suppose that Joshua had with him but thirty thousand men in all, five thousand of which he sent to lie in ambush, and the other twenty five thousand remained with him; but it seems clear that all the men of war were to be taken, and were taken by them, and that out of them thirty thousand were sent by him to lie in wait at first, and now five thousand more: between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city; and though they were on the same side of the city with the first and larger ambush, yet, as Abarbinel observes, they might be set nearer the city and to the army; and he supposes the first ambush was to take the city, and the second little ambush, as he calls it, was placed, that when the men of the city came out, they might make a noise and a stir, and skirmish with them, that so they might not come upon the camp suddenly.