Deep Dive

Joshua 8:13

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So 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.

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Commentaries

Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.

Matthew Henry Bible Commentaryv. 13

The embarrassment which Achan's sin gave to the affairs of Israel being over, we have them here in a very good posture again, the affairs both of war and religion. Here is, I. The glorious progress of their arms in the taking of Ai, before which they had lately suffered disgrace. 1. God encourages Joshua to attack it, with the assurance of success, and directs him what method to take (Jos 8:1, Jos 8:2). 2. Joshua gives orders accordingly to the men of war (Jos 8:3-8). 3. The stratagem is managed as it was projected, and succeeds as it was desired (Jos 8:9-22). 4. Joshua becomes master of this city, puts all the inhabitants to the sword, burns it, hangs the king, but gives the plunder to the soldiers (Jos 8:23-29). II. The great solemnity of writing and reading the law before a general assembly of all Israel, drawn up for that purpose upon the two mountains of Gerizim and Ebal, according to an order which Moses had received from the Lord, and delivered to them (Jos 8:30-35). Thus did they take their work before them, and make the business of their religion to keep pace with their secular business.

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Original language

The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).

Strong's Concordancev. 13

שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מַחֲנֶה (machăneh, H4264) — an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or… צָפוֹן (tsâphôwn, H6828) — properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… עָקֵב (ʻâqêb, H6119) — a heel (as protuberant); hence, a track; figuratively, the rear (of an army) יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) לַיִל (layil, H3915) — properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e. night; figuratively, adversity תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre עֵמֶק (ʻêmeq, H6010) — a vale (i.e. broad depression)

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Cross-references

Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.

Joshua 8:12rank 2

Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.

Joshua 8:8rank 2

And when you have taken the city, set it on fire. Do as the LORD has commanded! See, I have given you orders.”

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