Joshua 7:2

Translations

Modern

Meanwhile, Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.

Traditional

And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth–aven, on the east side of Beth–el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.

Literal

And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai—which is near Beth-aven on the east side of Bethel—and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai.

Latin

Cumque mitteret Josue de Jericho viros contra Hai, quæ est juxta Bethaven, ad orientalem plagam oppidi Bethel, dixit eis: Ascendite, et explorate terram. Qui præcepta complentes exploraverunt Hai.

Original

Hebrew

English

Meanwhile, Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.

Notes

Joshua 7:2

As he did before the battle for Jericho, Joshua sent some of his men to assess the situation at Ai. This town was about 16 kilometers (10 miles) west of Jericho. It lay at the entrance to a plateau north of Jerusalem called the Plateau of Benjamin. If Israel captured Ai, it would gain control of the hill country.
Beth-aven, which means “house of iniquity” (place of wrongdoing), was probably an intentional wordplay on the name Bethel, which means “house of God.” Later in Israel’s history, a pagan shrine stood at this site(1 Kings 12:28–33).

Joshua 7:1–26

After Jericho became part of Israel, Joshua's first military task was to secure a position in the hill country. Conquering Jericho boosted Israel's confidence and left the people of Canaan feeling discouraged and without hope. However, everything depended on Israel's obedience to God. The sin of one man and its consequences show the importance of the command to destroy Jericho (see “Complete Dedication” Theme Note).

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua Community Identity Community Responsibility: Achan’s Sin Holy War Remove the Evil Retribution The Dangers of Sin

Events

War with Canaanitesc. 1451 BC

Related verses

Joshua 18:12
On the north side their border began at the Jordan, went up past the northern slope of Jericho, headed west through the hill country, and came out at the wilderness of Beth-aven.
Hosea 4:15
Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
1 Samuel 14:23
So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.
1 Samuel 13:5
Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Proverbs 20:18
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
Proverbs 24:6
Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.
Genesis 12:8
From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the LORD, and he called on the name of the LORD.
Joshua 12:9
…the king of Jericho, one; the king of Ai, which is near Bethel, one;
Genesis 28:19
…and he called that place Bethel, though previously the city had been named Luz.
Nehemiah 11:31
The descendants of Benjamin from Geba lived in Michmash, Aija, and Bethel with its villages;
Joshua 2:1
Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim, saying, “Go, inspect the land, especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

People

Joshua: Moses' assistant who led Israel into Canaan

Places

Ai: A Canaanite city conquered by Joshua after initial defeat Beth-aven: Town and wilderness near Ai and Bethel Bethel: Important city in Israel, associated with Abraham and Jacob Jericho: An ancient city in Canaan, famously conquered by Israel

Glossary

Ai Beth-Aven Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Carmi Conquest and Allotment of the Land Curse, Cursed Joshua, Book of Judges, Book of Tribe of Dan Warfare Zerah Zimri (Person)

Topics

Armies: March in Ranks of Ai Beth-Aven: A Place on the Mountains of Benjamin Sieges: Ai

Joshua 7:2

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Original?

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People

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Translations

Original

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Events

Related verses

Glossary

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