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But he did not know that an ambush had been set against him behind the city. <a href="/nlt/joshua/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> When the king of Ai saw the Israelites across the valley, he and all his army hurried out early in the morning and attacked the Israelites at a place overlooking the Jordan Valley. But he didn’t realize there was an ambush behind the town. <a href="/esv/joshua/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> And as soon as the king of Ai saw this, he and all his people, the men of the city, hurried and went out early to the appointed place toward the Arabah to meet Israel in battle. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/bsb/joshua/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city. <a href="/kjv/joshua/8.htm">King James Bible</a> And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/nkjv/joshua/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Now it happened, when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose early and went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at an appointed place before the plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/nasb_/joshua/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> And it came about, when the king of Ai saw them, that the men of the city hurried and got up early, and went out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his people at the appointed place before the desert plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/nasb/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> It came about when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose up early and went out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his people at the appointed place before the desert plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/nasb77/joshua/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> And it came about when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose up early and went out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his people at the appointed place before the desert plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/lsb/joshua/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now it happened that when the king of Ai saw it, the men of the city hurried and rose up early and went out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his people at the appointed place before the desert plain. But he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/amp/joshua/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> Now when the king [and the people] of Ai saw it, the men of the city hurried and got up early and went out to meet Israel in battle, the king and all his people at the appointed [time and] place before the desert plain (the Arabah). But he did not know that there was an ambush against him [waiting] behind the city [on the west side]. <a href="/csb/joshua/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, the men of the city hurried and went out early in the morning so that he and all his people could engage Israel in battle at a suitable place facing the Arabah. But he did not know there was an ambush waiting for him behind the city. <a href="/hcsb/joshua/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, the men of the city hurried and went out early in the morning so that he and all his people could engage Israel in battle at a suitable place facing the Arabah. But he did not know there was an ambush waiting for him behind the city. <a href="/asv/joshua/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at the time appointed, before the Arabah; but he knew not that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/erv/joshua/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at the time appointed, before the Arabah; but he wist not that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/gwt/joshua/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> When the king of Ai saw the main camp, he and all his troops got up early in the morning. They rushed out toward the plains to meet Israel for battle, just where [ Joshua] expected. However, the king didn't know there were troops behind the city waiting to attack him. <a href="/gnt/joshua/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> When the king of Ai saw Joshua's men, he acted quickly. He and all his men went out toward the Jordan Valley to fight the Israelites at the same place as before, not knowing that he was about to be attacked from the rear. <a href="/isv/joshua/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> When the king of Ai saw what had happened, he and his army quickly got up early and went out to meet Israel in battle. He and all his people met at the place adjacent to the desert plain. But he didn't know about the ambush that had been set for him on the other side of the city. <a href="/net/joshua/8.htm">NET Bible</a> When the king of Ai saw Israel, he and his whole army quickly got up the next day and went out to fight Israel at the meeting place near the Arabah. But he did not realize men were hiding behind the city. <a href="/nheb/joshua/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> And it happened, when the king of Ai saw it, that he hurried and rose up early, and the men of the city went out to engage them directly in battle, he and all his people, to the meeting place in front of the Arabah; but he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/wbt/joshua/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> And it came to pass when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain: but he knew not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/joshua/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city. <a href="/web/joshua/8.htm">World English Bible</a> When the king of Ai saw it, they hurried and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at the time appointed, before the Arabah; but he didn’t know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/joshua/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it comes to pass, when the king of Ai sees [it], that he hurries, and rises early, and the men of the city go out to meet Israel for battle, he and all his people, at the appointed time, at the front of the plain, and he has not known that an ambush [is] against him, on the rear of the city. <a href="/ylt/joshua/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it cometh to pass, when the king of Ai seeth it, that hasten, and rise early, and go out do the men of the city to meet Israel for battle, he and all his people, at the appointed season, at the front of the plain, and he hath not known that an ambush is against him, on the rear of the city. <a href="/slt/joshua/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it will be when the king of Ai saw, and they will hasten and will rise early, and the men of the city will come forth to the meeting of Israel, to war, he, and all his people, at the appointment before the desert: and he knew not that an ambush to him from behind the city.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/joshua/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when the king of Hai saw this, he made haste in the morning, and went out with all the army of the city, and set it in battle array toward the desert, not knowing that there lay an ambush behind his back. <a href="/cpdv/joshua/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when the king of Ai had seen this, he hurried in the morning, and he went out with the entire army of the city. And he arranged them in a line opposite the desert, not knowing that an ambush lay hidden behind his back. <a href="/nabre/joshua/8.htm">New American Bible</a> The king of Ai saw this, and he and all his army came out very early in the morning to engage Israel in battle at the place in front of the Arabah, not knowing that there was an ambush behind the city. <a href="/nrsvce/joshua/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When the king of Ai saw this, he and all his people, the inhabitants of the city, hurried out early in the morning to the meeting place facing the Arabah to meet Israel in battle; but he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/joshua/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when the king of Ai saw it, he hastened, and the men of the city rose up, and went out against Israel to battle; so all the people of Ai were in the plain; and they did not know that there was an ambush against them from behind the city. <a href="/hpbt/joshua/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when the King of Ai saw, he moved quickly, and they rose up; the men of the city went out to meet Israel, and all the people of Ai were in the plain and the people had not known that an ambush was there for them from behind the city<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/joshua/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hastened and rose up early and went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at the time appointed, in front of the Arabah; but he knew not that there was an ambush against him behind the city. <a href="/sep/joshua/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass when the king of Gai saw it, he hasted and went out to meet them direct to the battle, he and all the people that were with him: and he knew not that there was an ambuscade formed against him behind the city. <a href="/parallel/joshua/8-14.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=1846" 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> …13So the forces were stationed with the main camp to the north of the city and the rear guard to the west of the city. And that night Joshua went into the valley. 14<a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: me·leḵ- (N-msc) -- King. From malak; a king.">When the king</a> <a href="/hebrew/5857.htm" title="5857: hā·‘ay (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.">of Ai</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: kir·’ō·wṯ (Prep-k:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">saw the Israelites,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4116.htm" title="4116: way·ma·hă·rū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- To hasten. A primitive root; properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. to hurry; often used adverbially, promptly.">he hurried</a> <a href="/hebrew/3318.htm" title="3318: way·yê·ṣə·’ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; to go out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.">out</a> <a href="/hebrew/7925.htm" title="7925: way·yaš·kî·mū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConsecImperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to incline; but used only as denominative from shkem; literally, to load up, i.e. To start early in the morning.">early in the morning</a> <a href="/hebrew/582.htm" title="582: ’an·šê- (N-mpc) -- Man, mankind. From 'anash; properly, a mortal; hence, a man in general.">with the men</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.">of the city</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. "></a> <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."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7122.htm" title="7122: liq·raṯ- (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To encounter, befall. A primitive root: to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner.">to engage</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">them</a> <a href="/hebrew/4421.htm" title="4421: lam·mil·ḥā·māh (Prep-l, Art:: N-fs) -- A battle, war. From lacham; a battle; generally, war.">in battle</a> <a href="/hebrew/4150.htm" title="4150: lam·mō·w·‘êḏ (Prep-l, Art:: N-ms) -- Appointed time, place, or meeting. ">at an appointed place</a> <a href="/hebrew/6440.htm" title="6440: lip̄·nê (Prep-l:: N-cpc) -- Face, faces. Plural of an unused noun; the face; used in a great variety of applications; also as a preposition.">overlooking</a> <a href="/hebrew/6160.htm" title="6160: hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh (Art:: N-fs) -- From arab; a desert; especially the sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea.">the Arabah.</a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">But he</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">did not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: yā·ḏa‘ (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">know</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">that</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/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">had been set up against him</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: mê·’a·ḥă·rê (Prep-m) -- 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: hā·‘îr (Art:: N-fs) -- Excitement. Or par; or ayar; from uwr a city in the widest sense.">the city.</a> 15Joshua and all Israel let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness.…<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="/judges/20-29.htm">Judges 20:29-34</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="/2_samuel/10-9.htm">2 Samuel 10:9-10</a> When Joab saw the battle lines before him and behind him, he selected some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Arameans. / And he placed the rest of the troops under the command of his brother Abishai, who arrayed them against the Ammonites. <a href="/2_kings/6-8.htm">2 Kings 6:8-12</a> Now the king of Aram was at war against Israel. After consulting with his servants, he said, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” / Then the man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Be careful not to pass by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” / So the king of Israel sent word to the place the man of God had pointed out. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. ... <a href="/2_chronicles/13-13.htm">2 Chronicles 13:13-14</a> 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. / When Judah turned and discovered that the battle was both before and behind them, they cried out to the LORD. Then the priests blew the trumpets, <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="/1_samuel/15-5.htm">1 Samuel 15:5</a> Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. <a href="/1_samuel/23-27.htm">1 Samuel 23:27-28</a> Then a messenger came to Saul, saying, “Come quickly, for the Philistines have raided the land!” / So Saul broke off his pursuit of David and went to meet the Philistines. That is why that place is called Sela-hammahlekoth. <a href="/2_kings/3-10.htm">2 Kings 3:10-11</a> “Alas,” said the king of Israel, “for the LORD has summoned these three kings to deliver them into the hand of Moab!” / But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the LORD here? Let us inquire of the LORD through him.” And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” <a href="/2_chronicles/20-22.htm">2 Chronicles 20:22-23</a> 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. / The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir, devoting them to destruction. And when they had finished off the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another. <a href="/1_samuel/30-1.htm">1 Samuel 30:1-2</a> On the third day David and his men arrived in Ziklag, and the Amalekites had raided the Negev, attacked Ziklag, and burned it down. / They had taken captive the women and all who were there, both young and old. They had not killed anyone, but had carried them off as they went on their way. <a href="/2_samuel/2-24.htm">2 Samuel 2:24-25</a> But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. By sunset, they had gone as far as the hill of Ammah opposite Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon. / The Benjamites rallied to Abner, formed a single unit, and took their stand atop a hill. <a href="/1_kings/20-29.htm">1 Kings 20:29-30</a> For seven days the armies camped opposite each other, and on the seventh day the battle ensued, and the Israelites struck down the Arameans—a hundred thousand foot soldiers in one day. / The rest of them fled into the city of Aphek, where the wall fell on twenty-seven thousand of the remaining men. Ben-hadad also fled to the city and hid in an inner room. <a href="/2_kings/19-9.htm">2 Kings 19:9</a> Now Sennacherib had been warned about Tirhakah king of Cush: “Look, he has set out to fight against you.” So Sennacherib again sent messengers to Hezekiah, saying, <a href="/2_chronicles/32-2.htm">2 Chronicles 32:2-3</a> When Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib had come to make war against Jerusalem, / he consulted with his leaders and mighty men about stopping up the waters of the springs outside the city, and they helped him carry it out. <a href="/matthew/22-15.htm">Matthew 22:15-22</a> Then the Pharisees went out and conspired to trap Jesus in His words. / They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance. / So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” ...</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hurried and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he knew not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.Ai saw it<a href="/joshua/8-5.htm">Joshua 8:5,16</a> And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them, … he wist not<a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Judges 20:34</a> And there came against Gibeah ten thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and the battle was sore: but they knew not that evil was near them.<a href="/ecclesiastes/9-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 9:12</a> For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.<a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11,13</a> Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/8-12.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/joshua/8-13.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/joshua/4-4.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/joshua/3-16.htm">Arabah</a> <a href="/joshua/4-13.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/joshua/8-13.htm">City</a> <a href="/joshua/8-10.htm">Early</a> <a href="/joshua/4-10.htm">Hasted</a> <a href="/joshua/4-10.htm">Hastened</a> <a href="/joshua/4-10.htm">Hurried</a> <a href="/joshua/8-10.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/joshua/8-13.htm">Liers</a> <a href="/joshua/3-16.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/joshua/8-10.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/joshua/8-6.htm">Time</a> <a href="/joshua/2-4.htm">Wist</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/joshua/8-16.htm">Ai</a> <a href="/joshua/8-19.htm">Ambush</a> <a href="/joshua/20-7.htm">Appointed</a> <a href="/joshua/11-2.htm">Arabah</a> <a href="/joshua/11-19.htm">Battle</a> <a href="/joshua/8-16.htm">City</a> <a href="/judges/6-28.htm">Early</a> <a href="/joshua/8-19.htm">Hasted</a> <a href="/joshua/8-19.htm">Hastened</a> <a href="/joshua/8-19.htm">Hurried</a> <a href="/joshua/8-15.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/judges/9-25.htm">Liers</a> <a href="/joshua/11-2.htm">Plain</a> <a href="/joshua/8-19.htm">Rose</a> <a href="/joshua/10-27.htm">Time</a> <a href="/judges/16-20.htm">Wist</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'; </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>When the king of Ai saw the Israelites The king of Ai, likely a Canaanite ruler, observed the Israelites approaching. This reflects the vigilance of city leaders during the conquest of Canaan, as they were aware of Israel's previous victories. The Israelites' presence would have been a significant threat, given their recent success at Jericho.he hurried out early in the morning The king's decision to act quickly suggests a sense of urgency and confidence, possibly due to the previous defeat of the Israelites at Ai (Joshua 7). Early morning was a strategic time for battle, taking advantage of the coolness of the day and the element of surprise.with the men of the city This phrase indicates that the king mobilized all available fighting men, showing the seriousness of the threat perceived. It also highlights the communal nature of warfare in ancient times, where city inhabitants were directly involved in defense.to engage them in battle The king's intent was to confront the Israelites directly, likely expecting a similar outcome to the previous encounter. This reflects the common ancient Near Eastern practice of meeting enemies in open battle rather than relying solely on city defenses.at an appointed place The phrase suggests a pre-determined location for battle, possibly a strategic site known for its tactical advantages. This could indicate a level of planning and military strategy on the part of Ai's king.overlooking the Arabah The Arabah is a desert region south of the Dead Sea, extending to the Gulf of Aqaba. This geographical reference provides context for the battle's location, emphasizing the varied terrain the Israelites had to navigate during their conquest.But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city This reveals the Israelites' strategic planning under Joshua's leadership, employing tactics such as ambush to overcome their enemies. The use of ambush is reminiscent of other biblical narratives where God grants victory through unexpected means, highlighting divine intervention and wisdom in battle.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/k/king_of_ai.htm">King of Ai</a> The ruler of the city of Ai, who is confident in his military strategy but unaware of the ambush set by Joshua and the Israelites. 2. <a href="/topical/m/men_of_ai.htm">Men of Ai</a> The soldiers and inhabitants of Ai who follow their king into battle, unaware of the impending defeat. 3. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The nation led by Joshua, executing a divinely inspired military strategy to conquer Ai. 4. <a href="/topical/a/arabah.htm">Arabah</a> A geographical region, often a desert or wilderness area, where the battle is set to take place. 5. <a href="/topical/a/ambush.htm">Ambush</a> A strategic military tactic used by Joshua, involving hiding forces to surprise and defeat the enemy.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/d/divine_strategy_over_human_wisdom.htm">Divine Strategy Over Human Wisdom</a> Trust in God's plan even when it seems unconventional. Joshua's obedience to God's strategy led to victory. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_overconfidence.htm">The Danger of Overconfidence</a> The king of Ai's downfall was his overconfidence and lack of awareness of God's involvement with Israel. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_spiritual_vigilance.htm">The Importance of Spiritual Vigilance</a> Just as the men of Ai were unaware of the ambush, we must remain spiritually vigilant against the enemy's schemes. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_battle.htm">God's Sovereignty in Battle</a> Recognize that success in our endeavors comes from God's sovereignty and not merely our efforts. <a href="/topical/l/learning_from_past_mistakes.htm">Learning from Past Mistakes</a> Israel's previous defeat at Ai (Joshua 7) taught them to seek God's guidance, illustrating the importance of learning from past failures.<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/where's_the_evidence_of_ai's_destruction.htm">Where is the archaeological evidence supporting the complete destruction of Ai (Joshua 8:28)? </a> <a href="/q/how_do_josh._16_1-4_boundaries_match_archaeology.htm">How do the boundary descriptions in Joshua 16:1-4 align with archaeological findings that suggest inconsistent Israelite settlement patterns in this region?</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/why_spare_gibeonites_despite_deut._20_16-17.htm">How does sparing the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:15) align with instructions to destroy all Canaanite inhabitants (Deuteronomy 20:16-17)?</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>(14) When the king of Ai saw it. . . . the city went out.--The stratagem succeeded perfectly. Joshua gave them ample time, by his movements in open daylight, to discover what his apparent intentions were, viz., to renew the direct attack upon the city with a larger force. Accordingly, the Canaanites came out before the plain--i.e., in the direction of the plain of Jordan (the Arabah. On this word and Emek and Gai used above, see Stanley, Sinai and Palestine)--intending to drive Joshua down by the way he had come up. And accordingly Joshua and his army fled in that very direction by the way of the Midbar or wilderness--i.e., the mountainous district between Ai and the Jordan valley, and lying in that direction. (Comp. <a href="/joshua/7-5.htm" title="And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased them from before the gate even to Shebarim, and smote them in the going down: why the hearts of the people melted, and became as water.">Joshua 7:5</a>.)<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/joshua/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 14. - When the king of Ai saw it. The particle כְ here employed signifies immediate action. At a time appointed. Or, at the signal. Keil, following Luther, would prefer at the place appointed, which seems to agree best with what follows. Some copies of the LXX. have ἐπ εὐθείας. Before the plain. Literally, before, or in sight of; i.e., in the direction of the Arabah (see above, <a href="/joshua/3-16.htm">Joshua 3:16</a>). <a href="/commentaries/joshua/8-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When the king מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-) Noun - masculine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> A king of Ai הָעַ֗י (hā·‘ay) Article | Noun - proper - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5857.htm">Strong's 5857: </a> Ai -- a Canaanite city saw [the Israelites], כִּרְא֣וֹת (kir·’ō·wṯ) Preposition-k | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> To see he hurried וַֽיְמַהֲר֡וּ (way·ma·hă·rū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4116.htm">Strong's 4116: </a> To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptly out וַיֵּצְא֣וּ (way·yê·ṣə·’ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3318.htm">Strong's 3318: </a> To go, bring, out, direct and proxim early in the morning וַיַּשְׁכִּ֡ימוּ (way·yaš·kî·mū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7925.htm">Strong's 7925: </a> To load up, to start early in the morning with the men אַנְשֵֽׁי־ (’an·šê-) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_582.htm">Strong's 582: </a> Man, mankind of the city הָעִ֣יר (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement to engage לִקְרַֽאת־ (liq·raṯ-) Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7125.htm">Strong's 7125: </a> Against he come, help, meet, seek, to, in the way [them] יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc in battle לַֽמִּלְחָמָ֞ה (lam·mil·ḥā·māh) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4421.htm">Strong's 4421: </a> A battle, war at an appointed place לַמּוֹעֵ֖ד (lam·mō·w·‘êḏ) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4150.htm">Strong's 4150: </a> Appointed time, place, or meeting overlooking לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6440.htm">Strong's 6440: </a> The face the Arabah. הָֽעֲרָבָ֑ה (hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6160.htm">Strong's 6160: </a> Arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running south from the Sea of Galilee But he וְהוּא֙ (wə·hū) Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> He, self, the same, this, that, as, are did not לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no know יָדַ֔ע (yā·ḏa‘) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know that כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction an ambush אֹרֵ֥ב (’ō·rêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_693.htm">Strong's 693: </a> To lie in wait had been set against him ל֖וֹ (lōw) Preposition | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_0.htm">Strong's 0: </a> 0 behind מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י (mê·’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition-m <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part the city. הָעִֽיר׃ (hā·‘îr) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5892.htm">Strong's 5892: </a> Excitement <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/joshua/8-14.htm">Joshua 8:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/joshua/8-14.htm">OT History: Joshua 8:14 It happened when the king of Ai (Josh. Jos)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/joshua/8-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Joshua 8:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/joshua/8-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Joshua 8:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Joshua 8:15" /></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>