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Chapter 8
1
Fear not Josh 1:9, Josh 7:6-7, Josh 7:9; Deut 1:21, Deut 7:18, Deut 31:8; Ps 27:1, Ps 46:11; Isa 12:2, Isa 41:10-16; Isa 43:2; Jer 46:27; Matt 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 (Josh 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 (Josh 8:25), determined to risk a battle, issued out, and was defeated by stratagem.
I have Josh 6:2; Ps 44:3; Dan 2:21, Dan 2:37-38, Dan 4:25, Dan 4:35
2
do to Ai Josh 8:24, Josh 8:28-29. See note on Josh 6:21, see note on Josh 10:1, see note on Josh 10:28, and see note on Deut 3:2.
only the spoil Josh 8:27; Deut 20:14; Job 27:16-17; Ps 39:6; Prov 13:22, Prov 28:20; Jer 17:11; Luke 12:20-21
lay thee Josh 8:7, Josh 8:9, Josh 8:12, Josh 8:14, Josh 8:19; Judg 20:29-33; 2Chr 13:13, 2Chr 20:22; Jer 51:12
3
by night Matt 24:39, Matt 24:50, Matt 25:6; 1Thess 5:2; 2Pet 3:10
4
lie in wait Josh 8:16; Judg 9:25, Judg 20:29, Judg 20:33, Judg 20:36; 1Sam 15:2, 1Sam 15:5; Acts 23:21
go not Eccl 7:19, Eccl 9:16
5
as at Josh 7:5
that we will Judg 20:31-33; Matt 10:16
6
drawn Heb. pulled, Josh 8:16
They flee Exod 14:3, Exod 15:9; Judg 20:32; Eccl 8:11, Eccl 9:12
7
for the Lord Josh 8:1; 2Kgs 5:1; Prov 21:30-31
8
set the city Josh 8:28, Josh 6:24
I have Josh 1:9, Josh 1:16; Judg 4:6; 2Sam 13:28
9
between Josh 8:12, Josh 7:2; Gen 12:8, Hai, Ezra 2:28; Neh 7:32
lodged Gen 32:21
10
rose up Josh 3:1, Josh 6:12, Josh 7:16; Ps 119:60
11
Josh 8:1-5
12
five thousand Josh 8:2-3
of the city or, of Ai
13
liers in wait Heb. lying in wait, Josh 8:4
on the west Josh 8:8, Josh 8:12
14
Ai saw it Josh 8:5, Josh 8:16
he wist not Judg 20:34-36; Eccl 9:12; Isa 19:11, Isa 19:13; Dan 4:31; Matt 24:39, Matt 24:50; 1Thess 5:1-3; 2Pet 2:3
15
by the way Josh 18:12
16
called together Judg 20:36-39
drawn away Josh 8:5-6; Judg 20:31; Ps 9:16; Ezek 38:11-22; Rev 16:14, Rev 19:19-21
17
a man Josh 8:3, Josh 8:24-25, Josh 11:20; Deut 2:30; Job 5:13; Isa 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.
18
Stretch Josh 8:7, Josh 8:26; Exod 8:5, Exod 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 γαισον, which Suidas says, signifies a kind of weapon, οιον δορατος, 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. 1Sam 17:6, 1Sam 17:41, 1Sam 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.
19
Josh 8:6-8
20
the smoke Gen 19:28; Isa 34:10; Rev 18:9, Rev 19:3
and they had Job 11:20; Ps 48:5-6, Ps 76:5; Amos 2:14-16; Rev 6:15-17
power Heb. hand
22
let none Josh 6:21, Josh 10:28, Josh 11:11-12; Deut 7:2; Job 20:5; Luke 17:26-30; 1Thess 5:3
23
Josh 8:29, Josh 10:17; 1Sam 15:8; Rev 19:20
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 (Josh 8:16). Josh 10:30-41, Josh 11:10-14; Num 21:24
26
Joshua Joshua seems to have been not only the general but the standard-bearer of the army (Josh 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 Josh 8:18; Exod 17:11-12
27
the cattle Josh 8:2, Josh 11:4; Num 31:22, Num 31:26; Ps 50:10; Matt 20:15
he commanded Josh 8:2
28
an heap Deut 13:16; 2Kgs 19:25; Isa 17:1, Isa 25:2; Jer 9:11, Jer 49:2, Jer 50:26; Mic 3:12
unto this day Josh 4:9
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. Josh 10:26-28, Josh 10:30, Josh 10:33; Deut 21:22-23; Esth 7:10; Ps 107:40, Ps 110:5; Acts 12:23; Rev 19:17-18
as soon Josh 10:27
a great heap Josh 7:26; 2Sam 18:17
30
built an altar Gen 8:20, Gen 12:7-8
in mount Ebal Moses himself had twice given express orders for this solemnity; once Deut 11:29-30, in which he pointed out the very place where it was to be performed; and again, at the Deut 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. Josh 8:33
31
as it is Josh 8:34-35, Josh 1:8; 2Kgs 14:6, 2Kgs 22:8; 2Chr 25:4, 2Chr 35:12; Ezra 6:18; Neh 13:1; Matt 12:26
altar Exod 20:24-25; Deut 27:5-6; 1Kgs 18:31-32
and they offered Exod 18:12, Exod 24:5; Deut 27:6-7
32
Deut 27:2-3, Deut 27:8
33
all Israel Josh 23:2, Josh 24:1; Deut 27:12-13, Deut 29:10-11
priests Josh 3:3, Josh 3:6, Josh 3:14, Josh 4:10, Josh 4:18, Josh 6:6; Deut 31:9, Deut 31:25; 1Chr 15:11-15
stranger Exod 12:49; Lev 24:22; Num 15:16, Num 15:29; Deut 31:12
Moses Josh 8:30-32; Deut 11:29, Deut 27:12
34
he read Deut 31:10-12; Neh 8:2-3, Neh 9:3, Neh 13:1
blessings Lev 26:1-46; Deut 27:14-26, Deut 28:1-68, Deut 29:20-21, Deut 30:15-20
35
was not Deut 4:2; Jer 26:2; Acts 20:27
women Deut 29:11, Deut 31:12; Ezra 10:1; Neh 8:2; Joel 2:16; Mark 10:14; Acts 21:5
strangers Josh 8:33
were Heb. walked
conversant The word conversant, from the Latin conversor, is here used in the classical sense of having intercourse with.
1
Fear not Josh 1:9, Josh 7:6-7, Josh 7:9; Deut 1:21, Deut 7:18, Deut 31:8; Ps 27:1, Ps 46:11; Isa 12:2, Isa 41:10-16; Isa 43:2; Jer 46:27; Matt 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 (Josh 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 (Josh 8:25), determined to risk a battle, issued out, and was defeated by stratagem.
I have Josh 6:2; Ps 44:3; Dan 2:21, Dan 2:37-38, Dan 4:25, Dan 4:35
2
do to Ai Josh 8:24, Josh 8:28-29. See note on Josh 6:21, see note on Josh 10:1, see note on Josh 10:28, and see note on Deut 3:2.
only the spoil Josh 8:27; Deut 20:14; Job 27:16-17; Ps 39:6; Prov 13:22, Prov 28:20; Jer 17:11; Luke 12:20-21
lay thee Josh 8:7, Josh 8:9, Josh 8:12, Josh 8:14, Josh 8:19; Judg 20:29-33; 2Chr 13:13, 2Chr 20:22; Jer 51:12
3
by night Matt 24:39, Matt 24:50, Matt 25:6; 1Thess 5:2; 2Pet 3:10
4
lie in wait Josh 8:16; Judg 9:25, Judg 20:29, Judg 20:33, Judg 20:36; 1Sam 15:2, 1Sam 15:5; Acts 23:21
go not Eccl 7:19, Eccl 9:16
5
as at Josh 7:5
that we will Judg 20:31-33; Matt 10:16
6
drawn Heb. pulled, Josh 8:16
They flee Exod 14:3, Exod 15:9; Judg 20:32; Eccl 8:11, Eccl 9:12
7
for the Lord Josh 8:1; 2Kgs 5:1; Prov 21:30-31
8
set the city Josh 8:28, Josh 6:24
I have Josh 1:9, Josh 1:16; Judg 4:6; 2Sam 13:28
9
between Josh 8:12, Josh 7:2; Gen 12:8, Hai, Ezra 2:28; Neh 7:32
lodged Gen 32:21
10
rose up Josh 3:1, Josh 6:12, Josh 7:16; Ps 119:60
11
Josh 8:1-5
12
five thousand Josh 8:2-3
of the city or, of Ai
13
liers in wait Heb. lying in wait, Josh 8:4
on the west Josh 8:8, Josh 8:12
14
Ai saw it Josh 8:5, Josh 8:16
he wist not Judg 20:34-36; Eccl 9:12; Isa 19:11, Isa 19:13; Dan 4:31; Matt 24:39, Matt 24:50; 1Thess 5:1-3; 2Pet 2:3
15
by the way Josh 18:12
16
called together Judg 20:36-39
drawn away Josh 8:5-6; Judg 20:31; Ps 9:16; Ezek 38:11-22; Rev 16:14, Rev 19:19-21
17
a man Josh 8:3, Josh 8:24-25, Josh 11:20; Deut 2:30; Job 5:13; Isa 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.
18
Stretch Josh 8:7, Josh 8:26; Exod 8:5, Exod 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 γαισον, which Suidas says, signifies a kind of weapon, οιον δορατος, 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. 1Sam 17:6, 1Sam 17:41, 1Sam 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.
19
Josh 8:6-8
20
the smoke Gen 19:28; Isa 34:10; Rev 18:9, Rev 19:3
and they had Job 11:20; Ps 48:5-6, Ps 76:5; Amos 2:14-16; Rev 6:15-17
power Heb. hand
22
let none Josh 6:21, Josh 10:28, Josh 11:11-12; Deut 7:2; Job 20:5; Luke 17:26-30; 1Thess 5:3
23
Josh 8:29, Josh 10:17; 1Sam 15:8; Rev 19:20
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 (Josh 8:16). Josh 10:30-41, Josh 11:10-14; Num 21:24
26
Joshua Joshua seems to have been not only the general but the standard-bearer of the army (Josh 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 Josh 8:18; Exod 17:11-12
27
the cattle Josh 8:2, Josh 11:4; Num 31:22, Num 31:26; Ps 50:10; Matt 20:15
he commanded Josh 8:2
28
an heap Deut 13:16; 2Kgs 19:25; Isa 17:1, Isa 25:2; Jer 9:11, Jer 49:2, Jer 50:26; Mic 3:12
unto this day Josh 4:9
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. Josh 10:26-28, Josh 10:30, Josh 10:33; Deut 21:22-23; Esth 7:10; Ps 107:40, Ps 110:5; Acts 12:23; Rev 19:17-18
as soon Josh 10:27
a great heap Josh 7:26; 2Sam 18:17
30
built an altar Gen 8:20, Gen 12:7-8
in mount Ebal Moses himself had twice given express orders for this solemnity; once Deut 11:29-30, in which he pointed out the very place where it was to be performed; and again, at the Deut 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. Josh 8:33
31
as it is Josh 8:34-35, Josh 1:8; 2Kgs 14:6, 2Kgs 22:8; 2Chr 25:4, 2Chr 35:12; Ezra 6:18; Neh 13:1; Matt 12:26
altar Exod 20:24-25; Deut 27:5-6; 1Kgs 18:31-32
and they offered Exod 18:12, Exod 24:5; Deut 27:6-7
32
Deut 27:2-3, Deut 27:8
33
all Israel Josh 23:2, Josh 24:1; Deut 27:12-13, Deut 29:10-11
priests Josh 3:3, Josh 3:6, Josh 3:14, Josh 4:10, Josh 4:18, Josh 6:6; Deut 31:9, Deut 31:25; 1Chr 15:11-15
stranger Exod 12:49; Lev 24:22; Num 15:16, Num 15:29; Deut 31:12
Moses Josh 8:30-32; Deut 11:29, Deut 27:12
34
he read Deut 31:10-12; Neh 8:2-3, Neh 9:3, Neh 13:1
blessings Lev 26:1-46; Deut 27:14-26, Deut 28:1-68, Deut 29:20-21, Deut 30:15-20
35
was not Deut 4:2; Jer 26:2; Acts 20:27
women Deut 29:11, Deut 31:12; Ezra 10:1; Neh 8:2; Joel 2:16; Mark 10:14; Acts 21:5
strangers Josh 8:33
were Heb. walked
conversant The word conversant, from the Latin conversor, is here used in the classical sense of having intercourse with.