Bible Commentaries
Joshua 8

Introduction

Overview

Joshua 8:1, God encourages Joshua; Joshua 8:3, The stratagem whereby Ai was taken; Joshua 8:29, The king thereof is hanged; Joshua 8:30, Joshua builds an altar; Joshua 8:32, writes the law on stones; Joshua 8:33, and pronounces the blessings and curses.

Verse 1

Fear not: Joshua 1:9, Joshua 7:6, Joshua 7:7, Joshua 7:9, Deuteronomy 1:21, Deuteronomy 7:18, Deuteronomy 31:8, Psalms 27:1, Psalms 46:11, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 41:10-16, Isaiah 43:2, Jeremiah 46:27, Matthew 8:26

take all: It would seem, from this verse, that all that were capable of bearing arms were to march out of the camp on this occasion: 30,000 formed an ambuscade in one place; and 5,000 were placed in another, who all gained their positions in the night. With the rest of the army, Joshua appeared the next morning before Ai, which the men of that city would naturally suppose was the whole of the Israelitish force and, consequently, be the more emboldened to come out and attack them. Some, however, think that 30,000 men were the whole that were employed on this occasion, 5,000 of whom were placed in ambush on the west of the city, between Bethel and Ai - Joshua 8:12, and, with the rest, Joshua appeared before the city in the morning. The king, seeing but about 25,000 coming against him, though he had but 12,000 persons in the whole city - Joshua 8:25, determined to risk a battle, issued out, and was defeated by stratagem.

I have: Joshua 6:2, Psalms 44:3, Daniel 2:21, Daniel 2:37, Daniel 2:38, Daniel 4:25, Daniel 4:35

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:7 - for the Lord Joshua 8:11 - General Joshua 9:3 - Jericho Joshua 10:8 - General Joshua 12:9 - Ai 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever 2 Chronicles 6:34 - by the way Ecclesiastes 3:8 - a time of war Haggai 2:5 - fear

Verse 2

do to Ai: Joshua 8:24, Joshua 8:28, Joshua 8:29. See note on Joshua 6:21, see note on Joshua 10:1, see note on Joshua 10:28, and see note on Deuteronomy 3:2.

only the spoil: Joshua 8:27, Deuteronomy 20:14, Job 27:16, Job 27:17, Psalms 39:6, Proverbs 13:22, Proverbs 28:20, Jeremiah 17:11, Luke 12:20, Luke 12:21

lay thee: Joshua 8:7, Joshua 8:9, Joshua 8:12, Joshua 8:14, Joshua 8:19, Judges 20:29-33, 2 Chronicles 13:13, 2 Chronicles 20:22, Jeremiah 51:12

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:11 - General Joshua 10:29 - Libnah Joshua 10:40 - as the Lord 2 Samuel 5:23 - fetch 2 Samuel 15:34 - return 1 Kings 8:44 - whithersoever 1 Chronicles 14:14 - turn away

Verse 3

by night: Matthew 24:39, Matthew 24:50, Matthew 25:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:2, 2 Peter 3:10

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:8 - Hai Joshua 8:12 - five thousand Joshua 8:17 - a man

Verse 4

lie in wait: Joshua 8:16, Judges 9:25, Judges 20:29, Judges 20:33, Judges 20:36, 1 Samuel 15:2, 1 Samuel 15:5, Acts 23:21

go not: Ecclesiastes 7:19, Ecclesiastes 9:16

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:13 - liers in wait 2 Chronicles 13:13 - an ambushment

Verse 5

as at: Joshua 7:5

that we will: Judges 20:31-33, Matthew 10:16

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:14 - Ai saw it Joshua 8:16 - drawn away

Verse 6

drawn: Heb. pulled, Joshua 8:16

They flee: Exodus 14:3, Exodus 15:9, Judges 20:32, Ecclesiastes 8:11, Ecclesiastes 9:12

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:19 - General 2 Samuel 17:9 - some

Verse 7

for the Lord: Joshua 8:1, 2 Kings 5:1, Proverbs 21:30, Proverbs 21:31

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:31 - deliver the Numbers 21:34 - for I have Joshua 8:2 - lay thee Joshua 8:18 - Stretch Judges 4:7 - deliver 1 Samuel 23:4 - for I will 2 Samuel 5:23 - fetch

Verse 8

set the city: Joshua 8:28, Joshua 6:24

I have: Joshua 1:9, Joshua 1:16, Judges 4:6, 2 Samuel 13:28

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:13 - on the west Joshua 11:12 - as Moses

Verse 9

between: Joshua 8:12, Joshua 7:2, Genesis 12:8, Hai, Ezra 2:28, Nehemiah 7:32

lodged: Genesis 32:21

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:2 - lay thee Nehemiah 11:31 - Aija

Verse 10

rose up: Joshua 3:1, Joshua 6:12, Joshua 7:16, Psalms 119:60

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 18:1 - numbered

Verse 11

Joshua 8:1-5

Verse 12

five thousand: Joshua 8:2, Joshua 8:3

of the city: or, of Ai

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:1 - take all Joshua 8:9 - between Joshua 8:13 - on the west Judges 9:25 - General

Verse 13

liers in wait: Heb. lying in wait, Joshua 8:4

on the west: Joshua 8:8, Joshua 8:12

Reciprocal: Judges 9:25 - General

Verse 14

Ai saw it: Joshua 8:5, Joshua 8:16

he wist not: Judges 20:34-36, Ecclesiastes 9:12, Isaiah 19:11, Isaiah 19:13, Daniel 4:31, Matthew 24:39, Matthew 24:50, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-3, 2 Peter 2:3

Reciprocal: Exodus 34:29 - wist Joshua 8:2 - lay thee Judges 20:31 - drawn Jeremiah 51:12 - ambushes

Verse 15

by the way: Joshua 18:12

Reciprocal: Joshua 16:1 - the water Judges 20:32 - Let us flee Judges 20:36 - for the men

Verse 16

called together: Judges 20:36-39

drawn away: Joshua 8:5, Joshua 8:6, Judges 20:31, Psalms 9:16, Ezekiel 38:11-22, Revelation 16:14, Revelation 19:19-21

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:4 - lie in wait Joshua 8:14 - Ai saw it Joshua 8:24 - returned unto Ai Judges 20:32 - Let us flee

Verse 17

a man: Joshua 8:3, Joshua 8:24, Joshua 8:25, Joshua 11:20, Deuteronomy 2:30, Job 5:13, Isaiah 19:11-13

Bethel: Bethel is not mentioned in the Greek version, and some, with Houbigant and Pilkington, think it was not originally in the Hebrew; because, had the men of Bethel pursued, as well as those of Ai, it would have been said that they left the cities, and not the city, open. The principal strength of Bethel might have been previously taken into Ai, as the strongest place to make a stand in; Bethel being but about three miles westward from Ai.

Reciprocal: Genesis 12:8 - of Bethel Joshua 12:9 - Ai Joshua 12:16 - Bethel Ezra 2:28 - Ai Nehemiah 7:32 - Bethel

Verse 18

Stretch: Joshua 8:7, Joshua 8:26, Exodus 8:5, Exodus 17:11, Job 15:25

the spear: The word keedon is rendered clypeum, a shield or buckler, by the Vulgate but the LXX translate it דביףןם, which Suidas says, signifies a kind of weapon, ןיןם הןסבפןע, like a spear. It may denote a short spear, javelin, or lance; for it is evident that it signifies neither the larger spear nor the shield, because it is distinguished from both. 1 Samuel 17:6, 1 Samuel 17:41, 1 Samuel 17:45, Job 39:23, Joshua may have had a flag or ensign at the end of the spear, which might be seen at a considerable distance when extended, which was the sign agreed upon by him and the ambush.

Reciprocal: Exodus 23:31 - deliver the Judges 20:33 - rose up

Verse 19

Joshua 8:6-8

Reciprocal: Joshua 8:2 - lay thee Judges 20:37 - the liers in wait hasted

Verse 20

the smoke: Genesis 19:28, Isaiah 34:10, Revelation 18:9, Revelation 19:3

and they had: Job 11:20, Psalms 48:5, Psalms 48:6, Psalms 76:5, Amos 2:14-16, Revelation 6:15-17

power: Heb. hand

Reciprocal: Judges 20:40 - looked Judges 20:43 - enclosed 1 Samuel 13:6 - in a strait 2 Kings 3:24 - smote the 2 Chronicles 13:14 - looked back Daniel 8:7 - and there was no Joel 2:30 - pillars 1 Thessalonians 5:3 - then

Verse 21

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 10:9 - General

Verse 22

let none: Joshua 6:21, Joshua 10:28, Joshua 11:11, Joshua 11:12, Deuteronomy 7:2, Job 20:5, Luke 17:26-30, 1 Thessalonians 5:3

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:7 - flee before Joshua 10:1 - as he had 2 Samuel 10:9 - General 1 Chronicles 19:10 - set against

Verse 23

Joshua 8:29, Joshua 10:17, 1 Samuel 15:8, Revelation 19:20

Verse 24

returned unto Ai: This must refer to the women, children, and old persons left behind; for it seems that all the effective men had sallied out when they imagined the Israelites had fled - Joshua 8:16. Joshua 10:30-41, Joshua 11:10-14, Numbers 21:24

Reciprocal: Genesis 14:10 - fell Deuteronomy 7:2 - utterly Joshua 8:2 - do to Ai Joshua 8:17 - a man Joshua 10:20 - had made John 11:54 - Ephraim

Verse 25

Reciprocal: Numbers 31:15 - General Deuteronomy 2:34 - utterly destroyed Joshua 8:1 - take all Joshua 8:17 - a man

Verse 26

Joshua: Joshua seems to have been not only the general but the standard-bearer of the army - Joshua 8:18, and continued in this employment, by holding up or extending his spear, during the whole of the battle; and did not slacken from the pursuit till the forces of Ai were utterly discomfited. Some commentators, however, understand this action in a figurative sense, like the holding up of Moses' hands, as if it implied that Joshua continued in prayer for the success of his troops, nor ceased till the armies of Ai were annihilated, and the city taken and destroyed.

drew not: Joshua 8:18, Exodus 17:11, Exodus 17:12

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:34 - utterly destroyed

Verse 27

the cattle: Joshua 8:2, Joshua 11:4, Numbers 31:22, Numbers 31:26, Psalms 50:10, Matthew 20:15

he commanded: Joshua 8:2

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 2:35 - General Deuteronomy 3:7 - General Joshua 10:40 - as the Lord Joshua 11:14 - the spoil

Verse 28

an heap: Deuteronomy 13:16, 2 Kings 19:25, Isaiah 17:1, Isaiah 25:2, Jeremiah 9:11, Jeremiah 49:2, Jeremiah 50:26, Micah 3:12

unto this day: Joshua 4:9

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:24 - burnt Joshua 8:2 - do to Ai Joshua 8:8 - set the city

Verse 29

the king: The kings of Canaan lay under the same curse as their subjects and probably were more deeply criminal. The reserving of the king of Ai for a solemn execution, would tend to strike terror into the other kings, contribute to the success of Israel, and give their proceedings the stamp of a judicial process, and of executing the vengeance of God upon his enemies. Joshua 10:26-28, Joshua 10:30, Joshua 10:33, Deuteronomy 21:22, Deuteronomy 21:23, Esther 7:10, Psalms 107:40, Psalms 110:5, Acts 12:23, Revelation 19:17, Revelation 19:18

as soon: Joshua 10:27

a great heap: Joshua 7:26, 2 Samuel 18:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 40:19 - hang thee Joshua 8:2 - do to Ai Joshua 8:23 - General Joshua 10:29 - Libnah Joshua 12:9 - Ai 2 Samuel 21:6 - hang Esther 2:23 - hanged

Verse 30

built an altar: Genesis 8:20, Genesis 12:7, Genesis 12:8

in mount Ebal: Moses himself had twice given express orders for this solemnity; once Deuteronomy 11:29, Deuteronomy 11:30, in which he pointed out the very place where it was to be performed; and again, at the Deuteronomy 27:1, there is a renewal of the instructions to Joshua, with special reference to minute particulars. It was a federal transaction: the covenant was now renewed between God and Israel upon their taking possession of the land of promise, that they might be encouraged in the conquest of it, and might know upon what terms they held it, and come under fresh obligations to obedience. Joshua 8:33

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 27:4 - in mount Ebal Deuteronomy 27:5 - And there

Verse 31

as it is: Joshua 8:34, Joshua 8:35, Joshua 1:8, 2 Kings 14:6, 2 Kings 22:8, 2 Chronicles 25:4, 2 Chronicles 35:12, Ezra 6:18, Nehemiah 13:1, Matthew 12:26

altar: Exodus 20:24, Exodus 20:25, Deuteronomy 27:5, Deuteronomy 27:6, 1 Kings 18:31, 1 Kings 18:32

and they offered: Exodus 18:12, Exodus 24:5, Deuteronomy 27:6, Deuteronomy 27:7

Reciprocal: Joshua 11:12 - as Moses Hebrews 3:5 - as

Verse 32

Deuteronomy 27:2, Deuteronomy 27:3, Deuteronomy 27:8

Verse 33

all Israel: Joshua 23:2, Joshua 24:1, Deuteronomy 27:12, Deuteronomy 27:13, Deuteronomy 29:10, Deuteronomy 29:11

priests: Joshua 3:3, Joshua 3:6, Joshua 3:14, Joshua 4:10, Joshua 4:18, Joshua 6:6, Deuteronomy 31:9, Deuteronomy 31:25, 1 Chronicles 15:11-15

stranger: Exodus 12:49, Leviticus 24:22, Numbers 15:16, Numbers 15:29, Deuteronomy 31:12

Moses: Joshua 8:30-32, Deuteronomy 11:29, Deuteronomy 27:12

Reciprocal: Exodus 5:6 - officers Numbers 6:23 - General Deuteronomy 27:14 - General Joshua 8:35 - strangers Judges 9:7 - mount Gerizim John 4:20 - fathers Hebrews 3:5 - as

Verse 34

he read: Deuteronomy 31:10-12, Nehemiah 8:2, Nehemiah 8:3, Nehemiah 9:3, Nehemiah 13:1

blessings: Leviticus 26:1-46, Deuteronomy 27:14-26, Deuteronomy 28:1-68, Deuteronomy 29:20, Deuteronomy 29:21, Deuteronomy 30:15-20

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 27:12 - upon mount Gerizim Deuteronomy 31:11 - shalt read Joshua 8:31 - as it is

Verse 35

was not: Deuteronomy 4:2, Jeremiah 26:2, Acts 20:27

women: Deuteronomy 29:11, Deuteronomy 31:12, Ezra 10:1, Nehemiah 8:2, Joel 2:16, Mark 10:14, Acts 21:5

strangers: Joshua 8:33

were: Heb. walked

conversant: The word conversant, from the Latin conversor, is here used in the classical sense of having intercourse with.

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 31:11 - shalt read Joshua 8:31 - as it is