Joshua 8:2
Joshua 8:2 in Multiple Translations
And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.”
And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.
and thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: set thee an ambush for the city behind it.
And you are to do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king: but their goods and their cattle you may take for yourselves: let a secret force be stationed to make a surprise attack on the town from the back.
You will do to Ai and its king what you did to Jericho and its king. However, this time you may keep for yourselves the plunder and the livestock. Set up an ambush behind the town.”
And thou shalt doe to Ai and to the King thereof, as thou didst vnto Iericho and to the King thereof: neuerthelesse the spoyle thereof and the cattell thereof shall ye take vnto you for a praye: thou shalt lye in wait against the citie on the backside thereof.
and thou hast done to Ai and to her king as thou hast done to Jericho and to her king; only, its spoil and its cattle ye spoil for yourselves; set for thee an ambush for the city at its rear.'
You shall do to Ai and her king as you did to Jericho and her king, except you shall take its goods and its livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.”
And thou shalt do to Ai and her king, as thou didst to Jericho and her king: only its spoil, and its cattle, shall ye take for a prey to yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.
And thou shalt do to the city of Hai, and to the king thereof, as thou hast done to Jericho, and to the king thereof: but the spoils and all the cattle you shall take for a prey to yourselves: lay an ambush for the city behind it.
Your army will do to the people of Ai and their king like what you did to the people of Jericho and their king. But this time I will permit you to take all their possessions and keep them for yourselves. But first, tell some of your soldiers to hide behind the city and prepare to suddenly attack it.”
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 8:2
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 8:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/עָשִׂ֨יתָ
לָ/עַ֜י
וּ/לְ/מַלְכָּ֗/הּ
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֨ר
עָשִׂ֤יתָ
לִֽ/ירִיחוֹ֙
וּ/לְ/מַלְכָּ֔/הּ
רַק
שְׁלָלָ֥/הּ
וּ/בְהֶמְתָּ֖/הּ
תָּבֹ֣זּוּ
לָ/כֶ֑ם
שִׂים
לְ/ךָ֥
אֹרֵ֛ב
לָ/עִ֖יר
מֵ/אַחֲרֶֽי/הָ
וְ/עָשִׂ֨יתָ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
לָ/עַ֜י
ʻAy
H5857
Ai
Prep | N-proper
וּ/לְ/מַלְכָּ֗/הּ
melek
H4428
King's
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֨ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Prep | Rel
עָשִׂ֤יתָ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
לִֽ/ירִיחוֹ֙
Yᵉrîychôw
H3405
Jericho
Prep | N-proper
וּ/לְ/מַלְכָּ֔/הּ
melek
H4428
King's
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff
רַק
raq
H7535
except
DirObjM
שְׁלָלָ֥/הּ
shâlâl
H7998
spoil
N-ms | Suff
וּ/בְהֶמְתָּ֖/הּ
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
Conj | N-fs | Suff
תָּבֹ֣זּוּ
bâzaz
H962
to plunder
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
לָ/כֶ֑ם
Prep | Suff
שִׂים
sûwm
H7760
to set
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
לְ/ךָ֥
Prep | Suff
אֹרֵ֛ב
ʼârab
H693
to ambush
V-Qal
לָ/עִ֖יר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Prep | N-fs
מֵ/אַחֲרֶֽי/הָ
ʼachar
H310
after
Prep | Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 8:2
וְ/עָשִׂ֨יתָ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לָ/עַ֜י
ʻAy
H5857
"Ai"
Prep | N-proper
Ai means 'heap of ruins', a city in Palestine east of the Jordan River, mentioned in the Bible as part of the Ammonites' territory. It appears in the book of Joshua and is associated with Heshbon. The city's name reflects its history of destruction.
Definition: § Ai or Aija or Aiath or Hai = "heap of ruins" a city of the Ammonites on the east of the Jordan and apparently attached to Heshbon
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Ai, Aija, Aijath, Hai. See also: Genesis 12:8; Joshua 8:20; Isaiah 10:28.
וּ/לְ/מַלְכָּ֗/הּ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
כַּ/אֲשֶׁ֨ר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Prep | Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
עָשִׂ֤יתָ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לִֽ/ירִיחוֹ֙
Yᵉrîychôw
H3405
"Jericho"
Prep | N-proper
Jericho was a city in Palestine, the first conquered by the Israelites in Canaan. Its name means 'its moon' and it was located near the Jordan River and the Dead Sea.
Definition: Jericho = "its moon" a city 5 miles (8 km) west of the Jordan and 7 miles (11.5 km) north of the Dead Sea and the first city conquered by the Israelites upon entering the promised land of Canaan Also named: Hierichō (Ἱεριχώ "Jericho" G2410)
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: Jericho. See also: Numbers 22:1; Joshua 9:3; Jeremiah 39:5.
וּ/לְ/מַלְכָּ֔/הּ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Conj | Prep | N-ms | Suff
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
רַק
raq
H7535
"except"
DirObjM
This Hebrew word means 'except' or 'only', used to limit or emphasize something, like in Exodus 12:11 where it says to eat the Passover meal in haste, with nothing but your clothes on. It can also mean 'but' or 'nevertheless'.
Definition: 1) only, altogether, surely 1a) only 1b) only, nought but, altogether (in limitation) 1c) save, except (after a negative) 1d) only, altogether, surely (with an affirmative) 1e) if only, provided only (prefixed for emphasis) 1f) only, exclusively (for emphasis)
Usage: Occurs in 107 OT verses. KJV: but, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless, nothing but, notwithstanding, only, save, so (that), surely, yet (so), in any wise. See also: Genesis 6:5; Joshua 13:14; Psalms 32:6.
שְׁלָלָ֥/הּ
shâlâl
H7998
"spoil"
N-ms | Suff
Shâlâl refers to the spoils of war, or the booty taken from enemies. It is used in the Bible to describe the plunder or prey taken in battle. In the KJV, it is translated as 'prey' or 'spoil'.
Definition: 1) prey, plunder, spoil, booty 1a) prey 1b) booty, spoil, plunder (of war) 1c) plunder (private) 1d) gain (meaning uncertain)
Usage: Occurs in 64 OT verses. KJV: prey, spoil. See also: Genesis 49:27; 2 Chronicles 15:11; Psalms 68:13.
וּ/בְהֶמְתָּ֖/הּ
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
תָּבֹ֣זּוּ
bâzaz
H962
"to plunder"
V-Qal-Imperf-2mp
This verb means to violently take something, like plundering or seizing, often used to describe war and conquest in books like Joshua and Ezekiel. It can also mean to be robbed or taken advantage of.
Definition: 1) to spoil, plunder, prey upon, seize 1a) (Qal) to spoil, plunder, despoil 1b) (Niphal) to be spoiled, plundered 1c) (Pual) to be taken as spoil
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: catch, gather, (take) for a prey, rob(-ber), spoil, take (away, spoil), [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 34:27; Psalms 109:11; Isaiah 10:2.
לָ/כֶ֑ם
""
Prep | Suff
שִׂים
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
V-Qal-Impv-2ms
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
לְ/ךָ֥
""
Prep | Suff
אֹרֵ֛ב
ʼârab
H693
"to ambush"
V-Qal
This verb means to lie in wait or ambush someone, often used to describe a surprise attack. It is used in the Bible to talk about people who are hiding and waiting to attack. The word can also mean to lay a trap for someone.
Definition: 1) to lie in wait, ambush, lurk 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie in wait 1a2) ambush (participle as subst) 1b) (Piel) ambushers, liers-in-wait (pl. participle) 1c) (Hiphil) to lay an ambush
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lie in) ambush(-ment), lay (lie in) wait. See also: Deuteronomy 19:11; Judges 20:38; Psalms 10:9.
לָ/עִ֖יר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
מֵ/אַחֲרֶֽי/הָ
ʼachar
H310
"after"
Prep | Prep | Suff
Achar means backwards or after, used to describe something that happens later or in the rear. It is used in various senses in the Bible, including in 1 Kings 12:18.
Definition: 1) after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time) 1a) as an adverb 1a1) behind (of place) 1a2) afterwards (of time) 1b) as a preposition 1b1) behind, after (of place) 1b2) after (of time) 1b3) besides 1c) as a conjunction 1c) after that 1d) as a substantive 1d1) hinder part 1e) with other prepositions 1e1) from behind 1e2) from following after
Usage: Occurs in 664 OT verses. KJV: after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. See also: Genesis 5:4; Exodus 18:2; Joshua 8:14.
Study Notes — Joshua 8:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Joshua 8:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joshua 8:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 8:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 8:2
- Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 8:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 8:2
- Cambridge Bible on Joshua 8:2
- Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 8:2
- Sermons on Joshua 8:2
Context — The Conquest of Ai
1Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.
2And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.”
3So Joshua and the whole army set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor and sent them out at night 4with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 20:14 | But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. |
| 2 | Joshua 6:21 | At the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 20:22 | The moment they began their shouts and praises, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir who had come against Judah, and they were defeated. |
| 4 | Proverbs 13:22 | A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous. |
| 5 | Judges 20:29–33 | So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah. On the third day the Israelites went up against the Benjamites and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as they had done before. The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. “We are defeating them as before,” said the Benjamites. But the Israelites said, “Let us retreat and draw them away from the city onto the roads.” So all the men of Israel got up from their places and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar, and the Israelites in ambush charged from their positions west of Gibeah. |
| 6 | Luke 12:20–21 | But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ This is how it will be for anyone who stores up treasure for himself but is not rich toward God.” |
| 7 | Joshua 8:24 | When Israel had finished killing all the men of Ai who had pursued them into the field and wilderness, and when every last one of them had fallen by the sword, all the Israelites returned to Ai and put it to the sword as well. |
| 8 | Joshua 8:12 | Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. |
| 9 | Jeremiah 17:11 | Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.” |
| 10 | Joshua 8:9 | So Joshua sent them out, and they went to the place of ambush and lay in wait between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai. But Joshua spent that night among the people. |
Joshua 8:2 Summary
This verse tells us that God instructed Joshua to attack the city of Ai and its king, just like they had attacked Jericho, but this time they could keep the plunder and livestock for themselves. God had a plan to give the city into their hands, and Joshua was to trust in that plan and follow His instructions. This reminds us that God is always in control and has a plan for our lives, and we need to trust in Him and follow His commands, as seen in Psalm 23:4 and Proverbs 3:5-6. By doing so, we can experience God's faithfulness and provision in our lives, just like Joshua and the Israelites did in this verse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God allow the Israelites to carry off the plunder and livestock from Ai, but not from Jericho?
This difference in instruction may be due to the unique circumstances of each city, as God had specific plans for each conquest, as seen in Deuteronomy 20:16-18 and Joshua 6:17-19.
What can we learn from the military strategy used by Joshua in this verse?
The strategy of setting up an ambush behind the city demonstrates Joshua's obedience to God's instructions and his willingness to trust in God's plan, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 37:3-7.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of God's sovereignty and human responsibility?
This verse shows that God is sovereign over all events, yet He often works through human actions, as seen in Joshua 8:2 and Romans 11:33-36, highlighting the importance of trusting in God's plan while also taking action in obedience to His commands.
What does this verse teach us about the importance of following God's instructions?
This verse emphasizes the importance of following God's instructions, even when they may seem unclear or unconventional, as Joshua's obedience led to the successful conquest of Ai, as noted in Joshua 8:1-2 and Hebrews 11:6.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust in God's plan and follow His instructions, even if they seem unclear or difficult?
- How can I apply the principle of obedience to God's commands in my daily life, just as Joshua obeyed God's instructions in this verse?
- What are some ways that I can demonstrate my trust in God's sovereignty, just as Joshua demonstrated his trust by setting up an ambush behind the city?
- How can I balance my responsibility to take action with my need to trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in this verse and in Psalm 37:3-7?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 8:2
And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst to Jericho and her king,.... Burn the one and slay the other: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 8:2
And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 8:2
To Ai, i.e. the city and people of Ai. As thou didst unto Jericho and her king, i.e. overcome and destroy them. This was enjoined, partly to chastise their last insolence, and the triumphs and blasphemies which doubtless their success produced; and partly to revive the dread and terror which had been impressed upon the Canaanites by Jericho’ s ruin, and had been much abated by the late success of Ai, and their confidence and expectation of further and greater success much raised.
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 8:2
Joshua 8:2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.Ver. 2. Lay thee an ambush behind it.] Dolus an virtus, quis in hoste requirat? If the war be just, the use of stratagems is unquestionably warrantable. Of Decebalus, king of Dacians, in Domitian’ s time, a valiant and wise warrior, it is thus storied, Noverat optime insidias faeere, proelium committere, optime uti victoria, et acceptam cladem ferre moderate; He well knew how to lay an ambush, pitch a field, use a victory, take a defeat. Dio, in Dom.
Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 8:2
(2) Only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take—i.e., the material spoil, not the persons of the inhabitants. (See Joshua 11:14.) Jericho was treated exceptionally, in that the material spoil was made chêrem, devoted to destruction, as the thing accursed of God.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 8:2
2. the spoil thereof] unlike the case of Jericho, is formally conceded to the Israelites. an ambush] “Put busshementis to the citye bihynde it,” Wyclif. Literally a weaver, a lier in wait, from arab, to weave = “nectere insidias, struere dolos.” for the city behind it] High up, probably in the main ravine between Ai and Bethel. “Ai must be somewhere between Michmash and Rimmon, a region greatly cut up with gorges and ravines; and as I passed from Beit-în toward Michmash, I could easily understand how Joshua’s ambush of 5000 men could lie hid between Ai and Bethel.” Thomson’s Land and the Book, p. 671.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 8:2
2. Only the spoil thereof… shall ye take — The spoils of Jericho had been devoted wholly to the Lord, as the first fruits of the conquest of Canaan.
Sermons on Joshua 8:2
| Sermon | Description | |
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(Basics) 29. Praise Brings Deliverance by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of praising God in difficult situations. He shares the story of King Jehoshaphat and how he led the people of Israel to victor |
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God's Normal Order - Called to Be Priests by Devern Fromke | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a good product that doesn't require excessive promotion. He reflects on the past advertising strategies used in yout |
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Sing Praise to the Lord! by Charles E. Cowman | Charles E. Cowman emphasizes the power of singing and praising in the midst of troubles, encouraging a shift from overthinking to joyful worship. He illustrates how singing can rel |
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Ii Chronicles 20:22 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes the power of praise in achieving victory, as demonstrated in II Chronicles 20:22. King Jehoshaphat faced an overwhelming enemy and sought the Lord, acknowled |
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Living for Generations to Come by Scott Volk | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on his failure to address certain topics during his recent services. He shares his personal challenges and confesses that he will change his be |
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This Heart Is Too Small - Part 5 by Joshua Daniel | This sermon emphasizes the importance of spiritual legacy and the eternal perspective of life. It challenges individuals to consider the spiritual inheritance they are passing on t |
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Boast Not Thyself by Harry Ironside | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not procrastinating when it comes to accepting the gospel and becoming a Christian. He warns that many people in a land wh |