Joshua 8:3-9 meaning

Joshua 8:3-9 details the battle plan against the Canaanite city of Ai.

The previous passage records the LORD's instructions to Joshua, urging him to bravely lead the Israelite army to conquer Ai, a small Canaanite city near Beth-Aven (which means "house of wickedness"), east of Bethel (which means "house of God"). God commanded His covenant people to attack Ai to the west to catch its army by surprise. Contrary to the instructions concerning Jericho, the Israelites could seize the spoils of war during the conquest of Ai for themselves (vv. 1-2).

The present passage describes Joshua's instructions to the Israelite army and his strategic plan for the battle. He rose with all the people of war to go up to Ai (v. 3). The phrase all the people of war refers to all the soldiers equipped for battle from twenty years old and upward. Joshua obeyed the LORD's command and got the warriors ready to go to Ai. Since Ai was a small city, Joshua chose 30,000 men, valiant warriors, and sent them out at night.

In the ancient world, military leaders often drew battle lines and divided their soldiers "by hundreds and thousands" (2 Samuel 18:4). Also, they sometimes deployed their army at night to prepare for the next day’s battle. For example, "Abimelech and all the people who were with him arose by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies" (Judges 9:34).

Similarly, Joshua selected 30,000 of his best troops and commissioned them at night. He commanded them, saying: See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it (v. 4). Joshua urged his soldiers to attack Ai to the west to catch its army by surprise. This is in direct obedience to the method in which God instructed Joshua to defeat Ai (Joshua 8:2). Joshua further warns them not to go very far from the city, but to stay as close as possible to the fortress. They were to be on the alert for any event, so he asked all of them to be ready.

Having chosen 30,000 valiant warriors and commissioned them to ambush the city of Ai to the west, next, Joshua discloses the second part of the plan. He stated, I and all the people who are with me will approach the city (v. 5). As a commander, Joshua would lead the main force east of Ai. Thus, they would launch a full-frontal assault on the enemy.

Then, Joshua explained the resulting outcome of approaching the enemy from the east: When they come out to meet us as at the first, we will flee before them. During Israel’s failed attempt to conquer Ai, Joshua sent some men to scout the city. Upon their return, they told Joshua there was no need to deploy the entire army because Ai was so small. Joshua believed in the scouts' report and sent about three thousand soldiers to fight against Ai (Joshua 7:4). But the people of Ai "struck down about thirty-six of their men and chased Israel eastward, down the steep hills toward Jericho" (Joshua 7:5).

Joshua decided to use Israel's initial reaction before the people of Ai as a pretense to confuse them and trap them. He explained, They will come out after us until we have drawn them away from the city (v. 6). The plan was to get the adversaries outside the city to invade their land unopposed. Unaware of the ambush, the enemy would gladly pursue the Israelites, thinking They are fleeing before us as at the first. The Israelites had retreated at the last encounter, so the men of Ai would predictably believe the Israelites are retreating a second time. Joshua knew his plan would work seamlessly, so he encouraged the covenant people by saying: We will flee before them.

The Israelite leader instructed the 30,000 soldiers on what to do once the people of Ai took the bait: You shall rise from your ambush and take possession of the city (v. 7). The Israelite warriors would capture Ai, not because of their military strength and power. Rather, as Joshua stated, The LORD your God will deliver it [Ai] into your hand. Yahweh would orchestrate the movement of the Israelite troops to ensure they won the battle over Ai. Thus, Joshua continued his instructions and said, Then, it will be when you have seized the city, that you shall set the city on fire (v. 8). The people of God would burn Ai just as they did to Jericho.

Joshua reminded the Israelites of the divine nature of his message, saying: You shall do it according to the word of the LORD. He added, See, I have commanded you. The LORD has already assured Joshua of victory over Ai and gave him the command to "set an ambush" (Joshua 8:2).

The Hebrew term translated as LORD is "Yahweh," the self-existent and everlasting God who revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). That name often emphasizes God's treaty covenant relationship with the Israelites. In this relationship, Yahweh was the Suzerain ruler, and Israel was the vassal. He was their treaty/covenant partner who required complete obedience from His people so He could bless them beyond measure. He always had their best interest at heart. In our passage, Joshua told the people to obey the divine orders strictly so that God would accompany them in the battle and fight for them to defeat Ai.

Having given these instructions to the Israelites, Joshua sent them [the 30,000 soldiers] away, and they went to the place of ambush (v. 9). They remained between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Bethel was about ten miles north of Jerusalem, about a mile and a half from Ai. Those men commissioned by Joshua hid themselves on the west side of Ai. But Joshua spent that night among the people. In other words, he stayed in the camp with the rest of the Israelites to lead the ploy which would draw the men of Ai out of the city.

During Israel's first attempt to conquer Ai, Joshua sent 3,000 soldiers to fight against Ai but did not accompany them (Joshua 7:4-5). This time, he wanted to ensure he participated in the war to encourage the people and let them know he was near. Therefore, they could confidently follow his leadership. This was also perhaps because God told Joshua "You [Joshua] shall do to Ai and its king just as you [Joshua] did to Jericho and its king" (Joshua 8:2).