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Set up an ambush behind the city."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/joshua/8-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/12/06_Jos_08_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Joshua 8:2 - The Conquest of Ai" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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. 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Set an ambush behind the city.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/joshua/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> You will destroy them as you destroyed Jericho and its king. But this time you may keep the plunder and the livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the town.” <a href="/esv/joshua/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it.” <a href="/bsb/joshua/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> 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.” <a href="/kjv/joshua/8.htm">King James Bible</a> 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. <a href="/nkjv/joshua/8.htm">New King James Version</a> And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it.” <a href="/nasb_/joshua/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> You shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoils and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.” <a href="/nasb/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220You shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “And you shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.” <a href="/lsb/joshua/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So you shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.” <a href="/amp/joshua/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> You shall do [the same] to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king; [except that] you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set up an ambush for the city behind it [on the west side].” <a href="/csb/joshua/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Treat Ai and its king as you did Jericho and its king, except that you may plunder its spoil and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.” <a href="/hcsb/joshua/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Treat Ai and its king as you did Jericho and its king; you may plunder its spoil and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.&#8221 <a href="/asv/joshua/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> 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. <a href="/erv/joshua/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> 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. <a href="/gwt/joshua/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> You will do the same thing to Ai and its king that you did to Jericho and its king. However, you may take its loot and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city." <a href="/gnt/joshua/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> You are to do to Ai and its king what you did to Jericho and its king, but this time you may keep its goods and livestock for yourselves. Prepare to attack the city by surprise from the rear." <a href="/isv/joshua/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> Do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, but take its spoil and its livestock as war booty for yourselves. Set an ambush around the city." <a href="/msb/joshua/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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.? <a href="/net/joshua/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Do to Ai and its king what you did to Jericho and its king, except you may plunder its goods and cattle. Set an ambush behind the city!" <a href="/nheb/joshua/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> You shall do to Ai and her king as you did to Jericho and her king, except its spoil and its livestock, you shall take for a plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it." <a href="/wbt/joshua/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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. <a href="/web/joshua/8.htm">World English Bible</a> 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.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joshua/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and you have done to Ai and to her king as you have done to Jericho and to her king; only spoil its spoil and its livestock for yourselves; for you set an ambush for the city at its rear.” <a href="/ylt/joshua/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 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.' <a href="/slt/joshua/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And do to Ai and to her king as thou didst to Jericho and to her king: only its plunder and her cattle ye shall plunder to yourselves: set to thee an ambush to the city from behind it.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joshua/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> 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. <a href="/cpdv/joshua/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And you shall do to the city of Ai, and to its king, just as you did to Jericho, and to its king. Yet truly, the spoils, and all the living things, you shall plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush against the city behind it.” <a href="/nabre/joshua/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Do to Ai and its king what you did to Jericho and its king—except that you may take its spoil and livestock as plunder. Set an ambush behind the city. <a href="/nrsvce/joshua/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king; only its spoil and its livestock you may take as booty for yourselves. Set an ambush against the city, behind it.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joshua/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king; only the spoil and the cattle shall you take as a prey for yourselves; lay an ambush against the city, from behind it. <a href="/hpbt/joshua/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And do to Ai and its King as you have done to Yerikho and its King, only the loot and the cattle plunder for yourselves, and ambush for yourselves an ambush from behind the city<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joshua/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> 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.' <a href="/sep/joshua/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And thou shalt do to Gai, as thou didst to Jericho and its king; and thou shalt take to thyself the spoil of its cattle; set now for thyself an ambush for the city behind. <a href="/parallel/joshua/8-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p91zXIGB0Rk?start=1719" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/joshua/8.htm">The Conquest of Ai</a> 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. 2<a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">And you shall do</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.">to Ai</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ū·lə·mal·kāh (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- King. From malak; a king.">and its king</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ka·’ă·šer (Prep-k:: Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">as</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ā·śî·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">you did</a> <a href="/hebrew/3405.htm" title="3405: lî·rî·ḥōw (Prep-l:: N-proper-fs) -- Or Yrechow; or variation Yriychoh; perhaps from yareach; its month; or else from ruwach; fragrant; Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine.">to Jericho</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: ū·lə·mal·kāh (Conj-w, Prep-l:: N-msc:: 3fs) -- King. From malak; a king.">and its king,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7535.htm" title="7535: raq- (Adv) -- The same as raq as a noun; properly, leanness, i.e. limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although.">except that</a> <a href="/hebrew/962.htm" title="962: tā·ḇōz·zū (V-Qal-Imperf-2mp) -- To spoil, plunder. A primitive root; to plunder.">you may carry off</a> <a href="/hebrew/7998.htm" title="7998: šə·lā·lāh (N-msc:: 3fs) -- A prey, spoil, plunder, booty. From shalal; booty.">their plunder</a> <a href="/hebrew/929.htm" title="929: ū·ḇə·hem·tāh (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3fs) -- A beast, animal, cattle. From an unused root; properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal.">and livestock</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·ḵem (Prep:: 2mp) -- ">for yourselves.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7760.htm" title="7760: śîm- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To put, place, set. Or siym; a primitive root; to put.">Set up</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/693.htm" title="693: ’ō·rêḇ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To lie in wait. A primitive root; to lurk.">an ambush</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: mê·’a·ḥă·re·hā (Prep-m:: 3fs) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after.">behind</a> <a href="/hebrew/5892.htm" title="5892: lā·‘îr (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city.”</a> 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…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/20-10.htm">Deuteronomy 20:10-18</a> When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. / If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you. / But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city. ... <a href="/joshua/6-2.htm">Joshua 6:2-5</a> And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. / 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. ... <a href="/judges/20-29.htm">Judges 20:29-48</a> 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. ... <a href="/1_samuel/15-3.htm">1 Samuel 15:3</a> 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.’” <a href="/2_samuel/5-23.htm">2 Samuel 5:23-25</a> 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. <a href="/2_kings/3-19.htm">2 Kings 3:19</a> And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.” <a href="/2_chronicles/20-15.htm">2 Chronicles 20:15-17</a> And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. / Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. / 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.’” <a href="/isaiah/10-6.htm">Isaiah 10:6</a> I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. <a href="/jeremiah/50-21.htm">Jeremiah 50:21</a> Go up against the land of Merathaim, and against the residents of Pekod. Kill them and devote them to destruction. Do all that I have commanded you,” declares the LORD. <a href="/matthew/10-11.htm">Matthew 10:11-15</a> Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy there and stay at his house until you move on. / As you enter the home, greet its occupants. / If the home is worthy, let your peace rest on it, but if it is not, let your peace return to you. ... <a href="/matthew/11-20.htm">Matthew 11:20-24</a> Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. / “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. / But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. ... <a href="/luke/10-10.htm">Luke 10:10-15</a> But if you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go into the streets and declare, / ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’ / I tell you, it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town. ... <a href="/acts/13-19.htm">Acts 13:19</a> And having vanquished seven nations in Canaan, He gave their land to His people as an inheritance. <a href="/romans/8-37.htm">Romans 8:37</a> No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. <a href="/1_corinthians/15-57.htm">1 Corinthians 15:57</a> But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And you shall do to Ai and her king as you did to Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take for a prey to yourselves: lay you an ambush for the city behind it.do to Ai<a href="/joshua/8-24.htm">Joshua 8:24,28,29</a> And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword… <a href="/joshua/6-21.htm">Joshua 6:21</a> And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword.<a href="/joshua/10-1.htm">Joshua 10:1,28</a> Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; … only the spoil<a href="/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2</a> 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.<a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm">Deuteronomy 20:14</a> But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.<a href="/job/27-16.htm">Job 27:16,17</a> Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; … lay thee<a href="/joshua/8-7.htm">Joshua 8:7,9,12,14,19</a> Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand… <a href="/judges/20-29.htm">Judges 20:29-33</a> And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah… <a href="/2_chronicles/13-13.htm">2 Chronicles 13:13</a> But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/8-1.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/romans/7-21.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/joshua/8-1.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm">Booty</a> <a href="/joshua/6-6.htm">Carry</a> <a href="/joshua/7-24.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/joshua/8-1.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/7-12.htm">Except</a> <a href="/joshua/7-2.htm">Jericho</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/30-9.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm">Plunder</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-14.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/joshua/6-17.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/joshua/7-21.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/numbers/11-24.htm">Stationed</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-4.htm">Surprise</a> <a href="/joshua/7-14.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/joshua/7-13.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/8-3.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/joshua/8-4.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/joshua/8-3.htm">Attack</a> <a href="/joshua/8-27.htm">Booty</a> <a href="/joshua/8-27.htm">Carry</a> <a href="/joshua/8-27.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/joshua/8-4.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/11-13.htm">Except</a> <a href="/joshua/9-3.htm">Jericho</a> <a href="/joshua/8-27.htm">Livestock</a> <a href="/joshua/8-27.htm">Plunder</a> <a href="/joshua/8-27.htm">Prey</a> <a href="/joshua/8-7.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/joshua/8-27.htm">Spoil</a> <a href="/joshua/8-13.htm">Stationed</a> <a href="/joshua/8-12.htm">Surprise</a> <a href="/joshua/10-2.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/joshua/8-4.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Joshua 8</div>1. <a href="/joshua/8-1.htm">God encourages Joshua</a> 3. <a href="/joshua/8-3.htm">The plan whereby Ai was taken</a> 29. <a href="/joshua/8-29.htm">The king thereof is hanged</a> 30. <a href="/joshua/8-30.htm">Joshua builds an altar</a> 32. <a href="/joshua/8-32.htm">writes the law on stones</a> 33. <a href="/joshua/8-33.htm">and pronounces the blessings and curses</a> </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'; 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In the conquest of Jericho, the Israelites followed God's specific instructions, leading to the city's walls collapsing (Joshua 6). The destruction of Ai signifies God's continued support for Israel's conquest of Canaan. The king of Ai, like the king of Jericho, represents the leadership and power structure that opposes God's people. The defeat of these kings symbolizes the triumph of God's will over earthly powers.except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves Unlike Jericho, where the Israelites were commanded to devote everything to destruction and take nothing for themselves (<a href="/joshua/6-17.htm">Joshua 6:17-19</a>), Ai's plunder and livestock were allowed to be taken. This change highlights God's provision for His people, rewarding their obedience and perseverance. It also reflects a shift in strategy, where God permits the Israelites to benefit materially from their conquests, which would have been crucial for sustaining the nation during their campaign.Set up an ambush behind the city The strategy of setting an ambush demonstrates a tactical approach to warfare, combining divine guidance with human ingenuity. This military tactic contrasts with the miraculous fall of Jericho, showing that God works through both supernatural and natural means. The ambush required careful planning and execution, emphasizing the importance of obedience and trust in God's instructions. This strategy also foreshadows the cunning and wisdom that would characterize many of Israel's future battles.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/j/joshua.htm">Joshua</a> The leader of the Israelites, appointed by God to succeed Moses and lead the people into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. 2. <a href="/topical/a/ai.htm">Ai</a> A city in Canaan that the Israelites are commanded to conquer. It represents a strategic location in the conquest of the land. 3. <a href="/topical/j/jericho.htm">Jericho</a> The first city conquered by the Israelites in Canaan, where God performed a miraculous victory. It serves as a precedent for the conquest of Ai. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_king_of_ai.htm">The King of Ai</a> The ruler of Ai, who represents the opposition to God's people and His plans. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_ambush.htm">The Ambush</a> A military strategy commanded by God to ensure victory over Ai, demonstrating divine guidance in battle.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/o/obedience_to_god's_commands.htm">Obedience to God's Commands</a> The Israelites' success at Ai depended on their obedience to God's specific instructions. This teaches us the importance of following God's guidance in our lives. <a href="/topical/d/divine_strategy.htm">Divine Strategy</a> God's command to set an ambush shows that He provides not only the goal but also the means to achieve it. We should seek God's wisdom in our plans and decisions. <a href="/topical/g/god's_provision.htm">God's Provision</a> Unlike Jericho, where the plunder was devoted to God, at Ai, the Israelites were allowed to keep the plunder. This demonstrates God's provision and blessing when we follow His will. <a href="/topical/l/learning_from_past_mistakes.htm">Learning from Past Mistakes</a> The initial defeat at Ai (Joshua 7) due to Achan's sin highlights the need for repentance and correction. We must learn from our failures and seek God's forgiveness and guidance. <a href="/topical/t/trust_in_god's_promises.htm">Trust in God's Promises</a> The victory at Ai reinforces God's promise to give the Israelites the land. We can trust in God's promises and His faithfulness to fulfill them.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_joshua_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Joshua 8</a> <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> <a href="/q/augustus_caesar's_biblical_role.htm">What is Ai's significance in the Bible?</a> <a href="/q/why_don't_joshua's_battles_match_archaeology.htm">Why do battles in the Book of Joshua (e.g., Ai’s destruction) not match the archaeological record?</a> <a href="/q/how_is_ai's_destruction_just_and_loving.htm">How can the total extermination of Ai's inhabitants (Joshua 8:24-25) be reconciled with a just and loving God?</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>(2) Only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take--i.e., the material spoil, not the persons of the inhabitants. (See <a href="/joshua/11-14.htm" title="And all the spoil of these cities, and the cattle, the children of Israel took for a prey to themselves; but every man they smote with the edge of the sword, until they had destroyed them, neither left they any to breathe.">Joshua 11:14</a>.) Jericho was treated exceptionally, in that the material spoil was made cherem, devoted to destruction, as the thing accursed of God.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 2. - Only the spoil thereof. Ai was not solemnly devoted, like Jericho, though (see <a href="/deuteronomy/20-16.htm">Deuteronomy 20:16, 17</a>) the Canaanitish people were. Behind it. Joshua was advancing from the southeast. The ambush (אֹרֵב literally, "a lier in wait," here a band of liers in wait, the word itself originally signifying to plait, weave, hence to design) was therefore (ver. 12) on the opposite, or west side of the city. The question which has been raised whether God could rightly command a stratagem seems scarcely to require discussion. <a href="/commentaries/joshua/8-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>And you shall do וְעָשִׂ֨יתָ (wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make to Ai לָעַ֜י (lā·‘ay) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5857.htm">Strong's 5857: </a> Ai -- a Canaanite city and its king וּלְמַלְכָּ֗הּ (ū·lə·mal·kāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king as כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative <a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you did עָשִׂ֤יתָ (‘ā·śî·ṯā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> To do, make to Jericho לִֽירִיחוֹ֙ (lî·rî·ḥōw) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3405.htm">Strong's 3405: </a> Jericho -- a city in the Jordan Valley captured by Joshua and its king, וּלְמַלְכָּ֔הּ (ū·lə·mal·kāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king except that רַק־ (raq-) Adverb <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7535.htm">Strong's 7535: </a> But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless you may carry off תָּבֹ֣זּוּ (tā·ḇōz·zū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_962.htm">Strong's 962: </a> To spoil, plunder their plunder שְׁלָלָ֥הּ (šə·lā·lāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7998.htm">Strong's 7998: </a> A prey, spoil, plunder, booty and livestock וּבְהֶמְתָּ֖הּ (ū·ḇə·hem·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_929.htm">Strong's 929: </a> A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal for yourselves. לָכֶ֑ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> Set שִׂים־ (śîm-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7760.htm">Strong's 7760: </a> Put -- to put, place, set an ambush אֹרֵ֛ב (’ō·rêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_693.htm">Strong's 693: </a> To lie in wait behind מֵאַחֲרֶֽיהָ׃ (mê·’a·ḥă·re·hā) Preposition-m | third person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part the city.” לָעִ֖יר (lā·‘îr) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joshua/8-2.htm">Joshua 8:2 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joshua/8-2.htm">OT History: Joshua 8:2 You shall do to Ai and her (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/8-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 8:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/8-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 8:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:3" /></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>