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.
Fear not . Joshua 1 . 9 , Joshua 7 . 6 , Joshua 7 . 7 , Joshua 7 . 9 , Deuteronomy 1 . 21 , Deuteronomy 7 . 18 , Deuteronomy 31 . 8 , Psalm 27 . 1 , Psalm 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 , Psalm 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
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 , Psalm 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
rose up . Joshua 3 . 1 , Joshua 6 . 12 , Joshua 7 . 16 , Psalm 119 . 60
Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 18 . 1 . numbered
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
liers in wait . Heb. lying in wait , Joshua 8 . 4
on the west . Joshua 8 . 8 , Joshua 8 . 12
Reciprocal . Judges 9 . 25 . General
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
by the way . Joshua 18 . 12
Reciprocal . Joshua 16 . 1 . the water Judges 20 . 32 . Let us flee Judges 20 . 36 . for the men
called together . Judges 20 . 36-39
drawn away . Joshua 8 . 5 , Joshua 8 . 6 , Judges 20 . 31 , Psalm 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
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
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
Reciprocal . Joshua 8 . 2 . lay thee Judges 20 . 37 . the liers in wait hasted
the smoke . Genesis 19 . 28 , Isaiah 34 . 10 , Revelation 18 . 9 , Revelation 19 . 3
and they had . Job 11 . 20 , Psalm 48 . 5 , Psalm 48 . 6 , Psalm 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
Reciprocal . 2 Samuel 10 . 9 . General
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
Joshua 8 . 29 , Joshua 10 . 17 , 1 Samuel 15 . 8 , Revelation 19 . 20
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
Reciprocal . Numbers 31 . 15 . General Deuteronomy 2 . 34 . utterly destroyed Joshua 8 . 1 . take all Joshua 8 . 17 . a man
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
the cattle . Joshua 8 . 2 , Joshua 11 . 4 , Numbers 31 . 22 , Numbers 31 . 26 , Psalm 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
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
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 , Psalm 107 . 40 , Psalm 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
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
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
Deuteronomy 27 . 2 , Deuteronomy 27 . 3 , Deuteronomy 27 . 8
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
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
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