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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Joshua 8:11 Then 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/8-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/06_Jos_08_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 8:11 - The Conquest of Ai" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then all the troops who were with him marched up and approached the city. 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They set up camp north of Ai, with the valley between them and the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/joshua/8.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />All the fighting men who were with Joshua marched in front of the town and camped on the north side of Ai, with a valley between them and the town.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/joshua/8.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And all the fighting men who were with him went up and drew near before the city and encamped on the north side of Ai, with a ravine between them and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/joshua/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/joshua/8.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And all the people, <i>even the people</i> of war that <i>were</i> with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now <i>there was</i> a valley between them and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/joshua/8.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And all the people of war who <i>were</i> with him went up and drew near; and they came before the city and camped on the north side of Ai. Now a valley <i>lay</i> between them and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/joshua/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then all the people of war who <i>were</i> with him went up and approached, and arrived in front of the city; and they camped on the north side of Ai. And <i>there was</i> a valley between him and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Then all the people of war who were with him went up and drew near and arrived in front of the city, and camped on the north side of Ai. Now there was a valley between him and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Then all the people of war who <i>were</i> with him went up and drew near and arrived in front of the city, and camped on the north side of Ai. Now <i>there was</i> a valley between him and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/joshua/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Then all the people of war who <i>were</i> with him went up and drew near and arrived in front of the city and camped on the north side of Ai. Now <i>there was</i> a valley between him and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/joshua/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Then all the fighting men who were with him went up and advanced and arrived in front of the city, and camped on the north side of Ai. Now there was a ravine between them and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/joshua/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All the troops who were with him went up and approached the city, arriving opposite Ai, and camped to the north of it, with a valley between them and the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/joshua/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />All those who were with him went up and approached the city, arriving opposite Ai, and camped to the north of it, with a valley between them and the city. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/joshua/8.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And all the people, even the men of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and encamped on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between him and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/joshua/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They set up camp in full view of the town, across the valley to the north. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/joshua/8.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And all the people, even the men of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between him and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/joshua/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />All the troops with him marched until they were near the city. They camped north of Ai with the ravine between them and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/joshua/8.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The soldiers with him went toward the main entrance to the city and set up camp on the north side, with a valley between themselves and Ai. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/joshua/8.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />The entire fighting force with him attacked, approaching the city, and camped on the north side of Ai, with a ravine between them and Ai. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/joshua/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/joshua/8.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />All the troops that were with him marched up and drew near the city. They camped north of Ai on the other side of the valley.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/joshua/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />All the people, even the men of war who were with him, went up, and drew near, and came before the city, and camped on the north side of Ai. Now there was a valley between him and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/joshua/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/joshua/8.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />All the people, even the men of war who were with him, went up and came near, and came before the city and encamped on the north side of Ai. Now there was a valley between him and Ai. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/joshua/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and all the people of war who [are] with him have gone up, and draw near and come in before the city, and encamp on the north of Ai; and the valley [is] between him and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/joshua/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and all the people of war who are with him have gone up, and draw nigh and come in over-against the city, and encamp on the north of Ai; and the valley is between him and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/joshua/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And all the people of war that were with him went up, and they will draw near, and come before the city, and will encamp on the north to Ai: and the valley between them and Ai.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/joshua/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And when they were come, and were gone up over against the city, they stood on the north side of the city, between which and them there was a valley in the midst. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/joshua/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And when they had arrived, and had ascended from the opposite side of the city, they stood toward the northern region of the city. And there was a valley in the middle, between them and the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/joshua/8.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />When all the troops he led were drawn up in position before the city, they pitched camp north of Ai, on the other side of the ravine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/joshua/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />All the fighting men who were with him went up, and drew near before the city, and camped on the north side of Ai, with a ravine between them and Ai.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/joshua/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And all the men of war that were with him went up and drew near to the city, and encamped on the north side of Ai. Now there was a valley between them and Ai;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/joshua/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And all the men, the warriors who came up with him, approached next to the city and they camped from the north of Ai, and there was a valley between them and Ai<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/joshua/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And all the people, even the men of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai--now there was a valley between him and Ai.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/joshua/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And all the men of war went up with him, and they went forward and came over against the city eastward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/joshua/8-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=1814" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/joshua/8.htm">The Conquest of Ai</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>Joshua got up early the next morning and mobilized his men, and he and the elders of Israel marched before them up to Ai. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">Then all</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the troops</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: ham·mil·ḥā·māh (Art:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war."></a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who were</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: ’it·tōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">with him</a> <a href="/hebrew/5927.htm" title="5927: ‘ā·lū (V-Qal-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to ascend, intransitively or actively; used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative.">marched up</a> <a href="/hebrew/5066.htm" title="5066: way·yig·gə·šū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To draw near, approach. ">and approached</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city.</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: way·yā·ḇō·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">They arrived</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: ne·ḡeḏ (Prep) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before.">in front of Ai</a> <a href="/hebrew/2583.htm" title="2583: way·ya·ḥă·nū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline; by implication, to decline; specifically, to pitch a tent; gen. To encamp.">and camped</a> <a href="/hebrew/6828.htm" title="6828: miṣ·ṣə·p̄ō·wn (Prep-m:: N-fsc) -- North. Or tsaphon; from tsaphan; properly, hidden, i.e. Dark; used only of the north as a quarter.">to the north</a> <a href="/hebrew/5857.htm" title="5857: lā·‘ay (Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- A Canaanite city. Or uaya((Neh. 11:31); or eayath (Isaiah 10:28); for iy; Ai, Aja or Ajath, a place in Palestine.">of it,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1516.htm" title="1516: wə·hag·gay (Conj-w, Art:: N-cs) -- A valley. Or gay; probably from the same root as gevah; a gorge.">with the valley</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bē·nō (Prep:: 3ms) -- An interval, space between. ">between them</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: ū·ḇên- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- An interval, space between. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/5857.htm" title="5857: hā·‘āy (Art:: N-proper-fs) -- A Canaanite city. Or uaya((Neh. 11:31); or eayath (Isaiah 10:28); for iy; Ai, Aja or Ajath, a place in Palestine.">and the city.</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-1.htm">Deuteronomy 20:1-4</a></span><br />When you go out to war against your enemies and see horses, chariots, and an army larger than yours, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, is with you. / When you are about to go into battle, the priest is to come forward and address the army, / saying to them, “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle with your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be alarmed or terrified because of them. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/6-3.htm">Joshua 6:3-5</a></span><br />March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. / Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. / And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse and all your people will charge straight into the city.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/20-29.htm">Judges 20:29-31</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a></span><br />Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-23.htm">2 Samuel 5:23-25</a></span><br />So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. / As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” / So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/3-16.htm">2 Kings 3:16-20</a></span><br />and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig this valley full of ditches.’ / For the LORD says, ‘You will not see wind or rain, but the valley will be filled with water, and you will drink—you and your cattle and your animals.’ / This is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD, and He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/20-17.htm">2 Chronicles 20:17</a></span><br />You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-10.htm">Isaiah 41:10-13</a></span><br />Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. / Behold, all who rage against you will be ashamed and disgraced; those who contend with you will be reduced to nothing and will perish. / You will seek them but will not find them. Those who wage war against you will come to nothing. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/1-19.htm">Jeremiah 1:19</a></span><br />They will fight against you but will never overcome you, since I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/4-6.htm">Zechariah 4:6</a></span><br />So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/28-18.htm">Matthew 28:18-20</a></span><br />Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. / Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/11-22.htm">Mark 11:22-24</a></span><br />“Have faith in God,” Jesus said to them. / “Truly I tell you that if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and has no doubt in his heart but believes that it will happen, it will be done for him. / Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Luke 10:19</a></span><br />Behold, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/16-33.htm">John 16:33</a></span><br />I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/1-8.htm">Acts 1:8</a></span><br />But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew near, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joshua/8-1.htm">Joshua 8:1-5</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/8-10.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-14.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/11-5.htm">Arrived</a> <a href="/joshua/5-10.htm">Camped</a> <a href="/joshua/8-8.htm">City</a> <a href="/numbers/32-16.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/joshua/5-10.htm">Encamped</a> <a href="/joshua/6-23.htm">Entire</a> <a href="/joshua/8-10.htm">Marched</a> <a href="/joshua/3-9.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-27.htm">North</a> <a href="/numbers/33-49.htm">Pitched</a> <a href="/joshua/8-9.htm">Position</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/3-16.htm">Ravine</a> <a href="/joshua/8-9.htm">Side</a> <a href="/joshua/7-26.htm">Valley</a> <a href="/joshua/8-3.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/8-12.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">Approached</a> <a href="/judges/3-27.htm">Arrived</a> <a href="/joshua/10-31.htm">Camped</a> <a href="/joshua/8-12.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/8-26.htm">Drew</a> <a href="/joshua/10-5.htm">Encamped</a> <a href="/joshua/9-21.htm">Entire</a> <a href="/joshua/10-7.htm">Marched</a> <a href="/joshua/21-1.htm">Nigh</a> <a href="/joshua/8-13.htm">North</a> <a href="/joshua/11-5.htm">Pitched</a> <a href="/joshua/8-12.htm">Position</a> <a href="/joshua/13-9.htm">Ravine</a> <a href="/joshua/8-12.htm">Side</a> <a href="/joshua/8-13.htm">Valley</a> <a href="/joshua/9-2.htm">War</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 8</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-1.htm">God encourages Joshua</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-3.htm">The plan whereby Ai was taken</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-29.htm">The king thereof is hanged</a></span><br><span class="reftext">30. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-30.htm">Joshua builds an altar</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-32.htm">writes the law on stones</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/joshua/8-33.htm">and pronounces the blessings and curses</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/joshua/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/joshua/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then all the troops who were with him marched up and approached the city.</b><br>This phrase indicates a strategic military movement led by Joshua. The troops' unity and obedience reflect the disciplined nature of Israel's army under divine guidance. The march signifies a renewed effort after the initial defeat at Ai, demonstrating perseverance and reliance on God's instructions. This approach mirrors the earlier conquest of Jericho, emphasizing the importance of following divine strategy in warfare.<p><b>They arrived in front of Ai and camped to the north of it,</b><br>The positioning to the north of Ai is significant for tactical reasons, allowing the Israelites to prepare for a surprise attack. This location also suggests a strategic encirclement, cutting off potential escape routes for Ai's inhabitants. The northward position may symbolize a new beginning or direction, as north often represents a place of divine encounter in biblical literature.<p><b>with the valley between them and the city.</b><br>The valley serves as a natural barrier, providing a tactical advantage by creating a buffer zone between the Israelites and Ai. This geographical feature is crucial for the ambush strategy that Joshua employs, as it conceals the troops' movements and intentions. Valleys in scripture often symbolize places of decision or testing, reflecting the impending confrontation and the need for faith in God's plan.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a></b><br>The leader of Israel, appointed by God to succeed Moses. He is leading the Israelites in the conquest of Canaan.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/fighting_men.htm">Fighting Men</a></b><br>The Israelite warriors who are accompanying Joshua in the military campaign against Ai.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ai.htm">Ai</a></b><br>A Canaanite city that Israel is attempting to conquer after their initial defeat due to Achan's sin.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/v/valley.htm">Valley</a></b><br>The geographical feature that lies between the Israelite camp and the city of Ai, serving as a strategic point in the battle plan.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_and_strategy.htm">Obedience and Strategy</a></b><br>Joshua's approach to Ai after the initial defeat underscores the importance of aligning military strategy with God's guidance. Believers are reminded to seek God's direction in all endeavors.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community.htm">The Role of Community</a></b><br>The collective action of the fighting men highlights the importance of community and unity in achieving God's purposes. Christians are encouraged to work together in faith and mission.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_past_mistakes.htm">Learning from Past Mistakes</a></b><br>The Israelites' renewed attempt at Ai teaches the value of learning from past failures and the necessity of repentance and correction.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_timing.htm">Trust in God's Timing</a></b><br>The strategic positioning and timing of the attack on Ai reflect trust in God's perfect timing. Believers are called to wait on the Lord and trust His plans.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/spiritual_warfare.htm">Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>The physical battle at Ai can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual warfare, reminding Christians to be vigilant and prepared in their spiritual lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 8</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_verify_canaan's_conquest.htm">Joshua 1:2 – How can the historical conquest of Canaan be verified when archaeological evidence of such a large-scale event is disputed? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_the_forest_'devour'_more_troops.htm">How can the forest 'devour' more troops than swords (2 Samuel 18:8), and is there any historical or natural explanation for such a phenomenon?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_joshua_8's_ambush_unique.htm">Why does the ambush strategy described in Joshua 8:2-22 differ from other accounts of Israelite conquests?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_include_ben_hinnom_in_joshua_15_8.htm">In Joshua 15:8, why does the boundary include the Valley of Ben Hinnom if archaeological evidence suggests a different urban layout for Jerusalem at that time?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/joshua/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">On the north side.</span>--The lurking-place of the thirty thousand was on the west side, between Bethel and Ai. There is a ravine called the Wady Maheesin which runs nearly east and west, on the north of et-Tel, and probably Joshua's main body took up a position on the rising ground to the north of this ravine, for it is added, "<span class= "ital">the </span>ravine (or Gai) was between them and Ai."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And all the people, even the people of war that were with him.</span> Literally, <span class="accented">all the people, the war that were with him.</span> Probably the word <span class="hebrew">אִישׁ</span> has been omitted by an early copyist. Implying, no doubt, that the non-warlike portion of the community had been left under a guard at Jericho (see also ver. 1). <span class="cmt_word">On the north side.</span> Joshua made a <span class="accented">detour</span>, and encamped on a hill on the other side of the wady. <span class="cmt_word">Now there was a valley.</span> Literally, <span class="accented">and the valley was.</span> This valley, the Wady Mutyah (see Robinson 17. sec. 10, and note on ver. 2, ch. 7.), is a remarkable feature of the country round Ai. Our version misses this sign of personal acquaintance with the locality on the part of the historian. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/joshua/8-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the troops</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֨ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who [were]</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with him</span><br /><span class="heb">אִתּ֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(’it·tōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_854.htm">Strong's 854: </a> </span><span class="str2">Nearness, near, with, by, at, among</span><br /><br /><span class="word">marched up</span><br /><span class="heb">עָלוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5927.htm">Strong's 5927: </a> </span><span class="str2">To ascend, in, actively</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and approached</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֔וּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yig·gə·šū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5066.htm">Strong's 5066: </a> </span><span class="str2">To draw near, approach</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the city.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעִ֑יר</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘îr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> </span><span class="str2">Excitement</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They arrived</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yā·ḇō·’ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in front [of Ai]</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֣גֶד</span> <span class="translit">(ne·ḡeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> </span><span class="str2">A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and camped</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙</span> <span class="translit">(way·ya·ḥă·nū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2583.htm">Strong's 2583: </a> </span><span class="str2">To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to the north</span><br /><span class="heb">מִצְּפ֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(miṣ·ṣə·p̄ō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6828.htm">Strong's 6828: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hidden, dark, the north as a, quarter</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of it,</span><br /><span class="heb">לָעַ֔י</span> <span class="translit">(lā·‘ay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5857.htm">Strong's 5857: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ai -- a Canaanite city</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with the valley</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהַגַּ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hag·gay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1516.htm">Strong's 1516: </a> </span><span class="str2">A valley</span><br /><br /><span class="word">between</span><br /><span class="heb">בֵּינָ֥יו</span> <span class="translit">(bê·nāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> </span><span class="str2">An interval, space between</span><br /><br /><span class="word">them and the city.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָֽי׃</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘āy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5857.htm">Strong's 5857: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ai -- a Canaanite city</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/8-11.htm">Joshua 8:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/joshua/8-11.htm">Joshua 8:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/joshua/8-11.htm">Joshua 8:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/joshua/8-11.htm">Joshua 8:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/joshua/8-11.htm">Joshua 8:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/8-11.htm">Joshua 8:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/8-11.htm">Joshua 8:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/8-11.htm">Joshua 8:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/8-11.htm">Joshua 8:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/joshua/8-11.htm">Joshua 8:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/joshua/8-11.htm">OT History: Joshua 8:11 All the people even the men (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/8-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 8:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/8-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 8:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>