Joshua 8:2

Translations

Modern

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.”

Traditional

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.

Literal

And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and to its king; only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Set up to you an ambush for the city behind it.”

Latin

Faciesque urbi Hai, et regi ejus, sicut fecisti Jericho, et regi illius: prædam vero, et omnia animantia diripietis vobis: pone insidias urbi post eam.

Original

Hebrew

English

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.”

Notes

Joshua 8:2

Unlike other ancient nations that went to war to gain wealth, Israel acted as God's agent to judge the people of Canaan. Their plunder and livestock were secondary.
The strategy for capturing Ai involved planning an ambush. Joshua followed God's simple instructions effectively.
behind the town: On its west side (8:12).

Joshua 8:1–13

The Israelites made the first attempt to conquer Ai without consulting God. The second attempt was at God's command and direction. Before this attempt, God spoke to Joshua and gave him a strategy. More importantly, after Israel's recent disaster, God offered encouragement and a promise.

Theme notes and profiles

Joshua

Events

War with Canaanitesc. 1451 BC

Related verses

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.
Joshua 6:21
With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys.
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.
Proverbs 13:22
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is passed to the righteous.
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.”
2 Chronicles 13:13
Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them.
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 8:19
…and as soon as he did so, the men in ambush rose quickly from their position. They rushed forward, entered the city, captured it, and immediately set it on fire.
Joshua 8:27–29
Israel took for themselves only the cattle and plunder of that city, as the LORD had commanded Joshua.
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?’
Joshua 8:7
…you are to rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.
Judges 20:29–33
So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah.

Places

Ai: A Canaanite city conquered by Joshua after initial defeat Jericho: An ancient city in Canaan, famously conquered by Israel

Glossary

Ai Cattle Conquest and Allotment of the Land Joshua, Book of Judah, Tribe of Judges, Book of Tribe of Dan Warfare

Topics

Ambush: At Ai Armies: March in Ranks: Ambushes, at Ai Armies: Often Surprised Their Enemies Communion: Joshua Sieges: Ai The Armies of Israel: Directed in Their Movements by God The Jews: Strengthened by God in War

Joshua 8:2

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Events?

Related verses?

Places

Glossary?

Topics?

Translations

Original

Notes

Events

Related verses

Glossary

Topics