Joshua 8:4

Translations

Modern

…with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready.

Traditional

And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:

Literal

And he commanded them, saying, “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, from behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, and all of you be ready.

Latin

…præcepitque eis, dicens: Ponite insidias post civitatem, nec longius recedatis: et eritis omnes parati.

Original

Hebrew

English

…with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready.

Notes

Joshua 8:4–9

Joshua told the selected group what to expect from Israel’s main army. This special unit would be separated from Joshua’s direct command for almost two days. Because of this, they needed to understand clearly what they were supposed to do.

Israel’s success in this second attack on Ai depended on exact timing. The group had to rush into the town at the right moment.

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 Canaanites

Related verses

Judges 20:29
So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah.
Joshua 8:16
Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua and were drawn away from the city.
1 Samuel 15:2
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘I witnessed what the Amalekites did to the Israelites when they opposed them on their way up from Egypt.
Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom makes the wise man stronger than ten rulers in a city.
Judges 20:36
Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah.
1 Samuel 15:5
Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley.
Ecclesiastes 9:16
And I said, “Wisdom is better than strength, but the wisdom of the poor man is despised, and his words are not heeded.”
Judges 20:33
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.
Acts 23:21
Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”
Judges 9:25
The leaders of Shechem set up an ambush against Abimelech on the hilltops, and they robbed all who passed by them on the road. So this was reported to Abimelech.

Glossary

Ai 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: March in Ranks: Decoy Cities were Frequently: Stormed Sieges: Ai Strategy in War

Joshua 8:4

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