The Capture and Destruction of Ai
Joshua 8:1-29
Jos.8.1 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- תירא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תחת: PREP
- קח: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- עם: PREP
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וקום: CONJ+VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ראה: VERB,qal,imperat,2,m,sg
- נתתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- עירו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- ארצו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,ms
Parallels
- Joshua 1:9 (verbal): Same exhortation to Joshua—'be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or discouraged' (imperative not to fear) and promise of God's presence, echoing the opening clause 'אל־תירא ואל־תחת.'
- Joshua 6:2 (structural): A parallel divine warfare formula: God announces He has given a city into Israel's hand (here Jericho; in 8:1 Ai), including king, people, city and land—same narrative pattern of divine granting of a city.
- Deuteronomy 20:1–4 (thematic): Military instruction not to fear when going into battle because the LORD goes with Israel; thematically parallels the reassurance and divine support motivating the attack on Ai.
- 1 Chronicles 28:20 (allusion): David's charge to Solomon—'Be strong and courageous...do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God will be with you'—echoes the same encouragement formula applied to a successor leader facing a major task.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to Joshua, Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed; take with you all the warriors for battle and arise, go up against Ai; for I have given into your hand its king, and its people, and its city, and its land.
- And the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed; take with you all the fighting men and arise, go up to Ai; behold, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, his city, and his land."
Jos.8.2 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ועשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- לעי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולמלכה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כאשר: CONJ
- עשית: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- ליריחו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולמלכה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רק: PRT
- שללה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3fs
- ובהמתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- תבזו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- שים: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- ארב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מאחריה: PREP,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Josh.6:17-19 (verbal): Directly parallels the Jericho episode where the city and king were devoted to destruction; Joshua 8:2 commands treating Ai 'as you did to Jericho,' echoing the earlier ban on taking spoil.
- Josh.7:11-12 (structural): Immediate narrative context: Achan's sin and Israel's initial failure at Ai (ch. 7) explain why Joshua must now repeat and modify the Jericho tactic (ch. 8) after purging the community.
- Deut.20:10-14 (thematic): Gives general Deuteronomic rules for besieging cities and distributing spoil—distinguishing what is to be taken as booty and what is to be killed—paralleling Joshua's instruction to take spoil and beasts for themselves.
- Judg.20:45 (verbal): Describes Israelites setting an ambush behind a city in battle; parallels the tactical command in Joshua 8:2 to lie in wait beyond the city and attack from the rear.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall do to Ai and to its king as you did to Jericho and to its king; only you shall take the plunder and the livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.
- "You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king; only you shall carry off the plunder and the livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it."
Jos.8.3 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- עם: PREP
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לעלות: VERB,qal,inf
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויבחר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שלשים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גבורי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- החיל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישלחם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf_wq,3,m,sg;obj=3,m,pl
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.10.7 (verbal): Uses the same verbal formula of Joshua rising and mobilizing 'all the men of war' — a near‑word‑for‑word parallel in Joshua describing Joshua's rapid deployment of troops for battle.
- Judg.7.4-7 (thematic): Gideon's selection and reduction of fighting men and reliance on surprise tactics; both passages focus on choosing a specific combat force for a decisive encounter rather than mobilizing the entire population.
- 1 Sam.26.5-8 (thematic): David and Abishai enter Saul's camp by night in a stealth assault; parallels Joshua's use of a selected force sent at night to strike an enemy encampment.
- 1 Sam.14.6-14 (thematic): Jonathan and his armor‑bearer ascend against a Philistine outpost with a small force and achieve surprise — similar motif of a limited detachment attacking a fortified position.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Joshua rose up, and all the warriors for battle with him, to go up to Ai. And Joshua selected thirty thousand men, mighty of valor, and sent them away by night.
- So Joshua rose up, and all the fighting men with him, to go up to Ai. And Joshua chose thirty thousand mighty men of valor and sent them by night.
Jos.8.4 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- ארבים: PART,qal,ptc,m,pl
- לעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מאחרי: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אל: NEG
- תרחיקו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- מאד: ADV
- והייתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- כלכם: PRON,2,m,pl
- נכנים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Josh.8.3 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same episode: God and Joshua explicitly command an ambush behind Ai—very similar wording and intent (lie in ambush/lay in wait).
- Josh.8.9 (structural): Continuation of the ambush plan: Joshua dispatches the companies and gives detailed tactical orders, showing the same command to lie in wait and not to stray far from the city.
- Exod.17.9 (thematic): Moses tells Joshua to 'choose out men, and go out, fight'—a similar command to assemble fighting men and execute a combat maneuver (preparing forces for an encounter).
- 1 Sam.26.6-7 (thematic): David and Abishai secretly enter Saul's camp and lie in wait—parallel tactic of ambush/lying in wait within Israelite warfare and the moral/command implications of such operations.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he commanded them, saying, See, lie in ambush behind the city; do not go far from the city, but be all of you ready.
- And he commanded them, "Look, you shall lie in ambush against the city from behind it; do not go very far from the city, and all of you be ready."
Jos.8.5 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואני: PRON,1,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתי: PRON,1,sg
- נקרב: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,pl
- אל: NEG
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לקראתנו: PREP+NOUN,fs,sg,abs+PRON,1,pl
- כאשר: CONJ
- בראשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונסנו: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,pl
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 20:10-13 (verbal): Both passages describe coming near to a city and the prescribed response when the city peoples' reaction determines whether there will be peaceful terms or battle — similar language of approaching the city and awaiting the enemy's sortie.
- Joshua 6:20-21 (thematic): Like Joshua 8 (the capture of Ai), Joshua 6 narrates an Israelite assault that results in the city's rout and destruction; both describe coordinated operations against a fortified Canaanite city.
- Judges 8:4-9 (structural): Gideon's pursuit and rout of Midianite forces employs surprise, pursuit, and scattering of the enemy similar to Joshua's tactic of drawing out the defenders of Ai and then ambushing them.
- 2 Kings 7:6-9 (thematic): A case where panic and a sudden assault cause an enemy to flee their camp — parallels the motif in Joshua 8 of causing the city's defenders to come out and then be routed by a sudden attack.
Alternative generated candidates
- I and all the people who are with me will approach the city. And it shall be, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them.
- "And I and all the people who are with me will come up against the city. And it shall be, when they come out to meet us, as at first, we will flee before them."
Jos.8.6 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אחרינו: PREP,suff,1,pl
- עד: PREP
- התיקנו: VERB,hitpael,perf,3,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- יאמרו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- נסים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לפנינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כאשר: CONJ
- בראשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ונסנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Josh.7:4-5 (allusion): Describes Israel’s earlier rout at Ai — Josh.8:6 explicitly contrasts the later pursuit with “as in the first time,” alluding to this prior defeat.
- Josh.8:3-11 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the ambush plan and execution that lead to the enemy’s rout and being driven out of the city, showing how the pursuit in v.6 was carried out.
- Josh.10:10-11 (thematic): Describes the Canaanite kings’ defeat and flight before Israel and a subsequent pursuit/overthrow — a parallel example of Israel routing foes and driving them from their strongholds.
- Judg.7:20-22 (thematic): Gideon’s surprise attack and the ensuing panic and flight of the enemy; thematically parallel in the use of ambush/sudden assault producing a rout.
Alternative generated candidates
- They will come out after us until we have drawn them away from the city; for they will say, They are fleeing before us, as at the first. Then we will flee before them.
- "They will come out after us until we withdraw them from the city—for they will say, 'They are fleeing before us, as at the first'—and we will flee before them."
Jos.8.7 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתם: CONJ+PRON,2,pl
- תקמו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- מהאורב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- והורשתם: VERB,hiph,impf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ונתנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- בידכם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 8:18 (verbal): Same tactical language — men of the ambush 'rose up' from their place to enter and take the city (direct narrative parallel within the same episode).
- Joshua 6:2 (verbal): God's speech about Jericho: 'I have given Jericho into your hand' — similar wording attributing the conquest of a city to Yahweh's handing it over.
- Deuteronomy 20:4 (thematic): Promise that the LORD goes with Israel to fight for them; explains theological basis for expecting God to deliver cities into Israel's hand.
- Judges 7:16-22 (structural): Gideon's use of concealed companies and sudden attack — a parallel military ambush motif leading to a divinely granted victory.
- Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (thematic): Command to dispossess and utterly destroy the nations the LORD will give Israel — frames the conquest motif of cities being delivered into Israel's hand by divine decree.
Alternative generated candidates
- And you shall rise from the ambush and take the city; and the LORD your God will give it into your hand.
- "And you shall rise from the ambush and take the city, for the LORD your God will give it into your hand."
Jos.8.8 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כתפשכם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- תציתו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- תעשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Joshua 8:28 (structural): Same episode—later verse records Joshua burning Ai and making it a permanent heap; continues the command to destroy and burn the city.
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Jericho narrative uses the same language of devoting the city to destruction and destroying by fire/sword, showing a parallel pattern in conquest traditions.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (quotation): Legal command to devote certain Canaanite cities to destruction (herem); Joshua’s action is presented as fulfillment of this Deuteronomic injunction.
- Deuteronomy 7:2 (thematic): Instruction to annihilate the nations of the land and make no covenant—provides the broader theological rationale behind burning conquered cities.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (allusion): Divine command to Saul to ‘utterly destroy’ Amalek (men, women, children, animals); parallels the theme of divinely mandated total destruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- And it shall be, when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire; do according to the word of the LORD. See, I have commanded you.
- "And when you have taken the city, you shall set the city on fire, as the LORD has commanded. See, I have commanded you."
Jos.8.9 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלחם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf_wq,3,m,sg;obj=3,m,pl
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וילכו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- המארב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בין: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לעי: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- וילן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלילה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- בתוך: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 8:2-3 (structural): Immediate context: Joshua outlines the same ambush plan—sending men to lie in wait while he draws the city out, showing this verse is part of that stratagem.
- Joshua 8:11 (verbal): Repeats the same geographical detail (lying in ambush between Bethel and Ai) and confirms the positioning and concealment of the ambushers.
- Judges 7:16-22 (thematic): Gideon’s surprise/night attack uses concealed forces and a sudden signal to rout the enemy—a comparable tactic of ambush and deception to defeat a fortified foe.
- Judges 20:45-48 (thematic): Israelite forces set an ambush and draw the Benjaminites out of their city into the plain, then attack—closely mirroring the lure-and-ambush pattern used at Ai.
- Judges 3:20-26 (thematic): Ehud’s secret approach and sudden strike against King Eglon is another example of concealed movement and surprise against an enemy leader/stronghold, reflecting the use of stealth in Israelite warfare.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Joshua sent them, and they went to the ambush; and they remained between Bethel and Ai, on the west of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people.
- So Joshua sent them, and they went to the ambush; and they stationed themselves between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai. And Joshua lodged that night among the people.
Jos.8.10 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכם: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבקר: PREP
- ויפקד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וזקני: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 8:3 (verbal): Same chapter: Joshua 'rose up' and led the fighting men to Ai, selecting troops — closely parallel language and leadership action (Joshua rising and going up before the people).
- Joshua 6:15 (verbal): Both verses depict early‑morning movement for a planned military operation ('rose early' to carry out a tactic against a city), echoing the timing and ritualized advance before battle.
- 2 Samuel 24:2 (thematic): David commands Joab to 'number the people' for military purposes — parallels the motif of mustering or taking account of troops prior to action (וַיְפַקֵּד אֶת־הָעָם).
- Numbers 1:2–3 (verbal): God's command to Moses to take a census of the whole congregation echoes the administrative act of 'numbering' or enrolling the people, a common preparatory step for organization and warfare.
- Judges 7:9–15 (thematic): Gideon’s pre‑dawn reconnaissance and the division of forces for a surprise attack parallel Joshua’s early‑morning mustering and the ambush tactics used at Ai — leaders moving before the people and executing a planned stratagem.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered the people; and he went up, with the elders of Israel before the people, to Ai.
- And Joshua rose early in the morning and mustered the people, and he went up, with the elders of Israel before the people, to Ai.
Jos.8.11 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- עלו: PREP+3ms_suff
- ויגשו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- נגד: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויחנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מצפון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעי: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- והגי: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ביניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 7:5 (verbal): Describes Israel 'coming up' and 'coming before the city' of Ai and being engaged—same setting and similar verbs as the approach and deployment in Josh 8:11 (earlier failed attack on Ai).
- Joshua 6:10-11 (structural): At Jericho Joshua marshals the armed men and outlines a specific deployment/encirclement of the city; parallels the military positioning and tactic of approaching and encamping near a fortified town.
- Judges 7:9-11 (thematic): Gideon's night movement and tactical positioning of forces before the enemy camp, including stealthy approach and ambush, parallels the tactical maneuvering and encampment described in Josh 8:11.
- 1 Samuel 14:2-14 (thematic): Jonathan's reconnaissance and surprise attack on the Philistine outpost—small-force approach to an enemy position and engagement—echoes the theme of approaching and assaulting an enemy town as in Josh 8:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the warriors for battle who were with him went up and drew near and came before the city and encamped north of Ai; the ravine was between them and Ai.
- And all the fighting men who were with him went up and drew near and came before the city; and they encamped north of Ai, and between them and Ai was a ravine.
Jos.8.12 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כחמשת: PREP+NUM,card,masc,pl
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- ארב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 8:2–3 (verbal): The immediate command and mobilization for an ambush — Joshua is ordered to take fighting men and lie in wait; language and tactic parallel the verse's description of deploying troops as an ambush.
- Joshua 8:14–19 (structural): The subsequent action in the same episode where the ambush lies in wait, springs out, and Ai is captured — a direct structural continuation and fulfillment of the deployment in 8:12.
- Joshua 7:2–5 (thematic): The defeat at Ai caused by hidden sin; this passage provides the narrative background and explains why a new tactic (sending an ambush) is employed in 8:12 — thematic link of failure, repentance, and revised military strategy.
- Judges 7:16–20 (thematic): Gideon divides his forces and surrounds the Midianite camp, then launches a sudden, deceptive attack; thematically similar use of small forces, surprise, and encirclement to rout an enemy.
- Psalm 64:2–6 (thematic): Imagery of enemies lying in ambush, setting snares, and concealing themselves to attack the righteous — parallels the motif of hidden attackers and the danger of ambush present in Joshua 8:12.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he took about five thousand men and put them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
- And he took about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.
Jos.8.13 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישימו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- המחנה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מצפון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- עקבו: NOUN,m,pl,const
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בלילה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- בתוך: PREP
- העמק: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 8:11-12 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same episode: Joshua marshals the forces, places troops north of Ai and prepares by night — similar wording and movement (night advance, placement of the camp/ambush).
- Joshua 6:12-13 (structural): Earlier siege of Jericho where Joshua organizes and moves the troops in a coordinated way; both passages depict commanded troop movements and ritualized military action under Joshua’s leadership.
- Judges 7:16-22 (thematic): Gideon’s night attack and ambush tactics: divided forces, surprise night operation, and a rout of the enemy — parallels the clandestine night maneuver and ambush at Ai.
- 1 Samuel 14:20-23 (thematic): Description of a sudden rout and confusion during night operations as Israel pursues the fleeing enemy; thematically similar in terms of night action, surprise and the enemy’s collapse.
Alternative generated candidates
- They set the whole army that was north of the city, with their rear toward the ravine, and Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.
- And he placed all the people who were in the camp north of the city, and the rear toward the west of the city; and Joshua went that night into the valley.
Jos.8.14 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כראות: VERB,qal,inf_abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וימהרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- וישכימו: VERB,qal,imf,3,m,pl
- ויצאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לקראת: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- למלחמה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- למועד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- הערבה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- ידע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- ארב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מאחרי: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 8:10-11 (structural): Immediate continuation of the narrative: these verses describe the Israelite ambush placed behind Ai that the king in v.14 did not know about, explaining how the deception was executed.
- Joshua 7:5 (thematic): Earlier encounter with Ai where the king pursued and routed Israelites (killing about thirty-six men); provides the background and motive for the king’s pursuit in 8:14 and contrasts the earlier Israeli defeat with the later ambush.
- Judges 7:19-22 (thematic): Gideon’s surprise attack at night, creating panic and rout among the enemy, parallels the use of sudden, deceptive tactics and an unexpected assault like the ambush behind Ai.
- Judges 20:37-48 (thematic): The tribes of Israel set an ambush against the men of Benjamin at Gibeah while Benjamin is unaware; parallels the tactic of hiding forces behind a city and the enemy’s ignorance described in Joshua 8:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the king of Ai saw, he rose up early and took all the men of the city to go out against Israel for battle—he and all his people—at the appointed place before the plain; he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city.
- And when the king of Ai saw it, he rose up and hurried and took all the men of the city to go out against Israel for battle; he and all his people were drawn out before the plain; he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city.
Jos.8.15 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וינגעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפניהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- וינסו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 7:7 (thematic): Gideon's victory where the enemy is thrown into panic and flees, parallel to Israel's ambush at Ai producing a rout and flight.
- 1 Samuel 14:23 (thematic): After Jonathan's attack the Philistines are put to flight and Israel pursues—similar sudden rout and pursuit imagery as in Joshua 8:15.
- Exodus 14:27-28 (structural): The Egyptian forces are overthrown and destroyed after being driven into the sea; like Ai's forces being routed, both passages depict decisive, divinely‑ordained collapse of the enemy.
- 2 Chronicles 20:22-24 (thematic): In Jehoshaphat's victory the enemy armies destroy one another and flee, a parallel instance of deliverance resulting in rout and pursuit.
- Psalm 18:40 (verbal): The psalmist speaks of making enemies 'turn their backs'—a verbal parallel to Joshua's depiction of the foes turning and fleeing before Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua and all Israel turned and fled before them by the way of the wilderness.
- So Joshua and all Israel turned back and fled by the way of the wilderness.
Jos.8.16 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויזעקו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בעי: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לרדף: VERB,qal,inf
- אחריהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- וירדפו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אחרי: PREP
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וינתקו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Josh.8.24-29 (structural): Continuation of the same episode: describes the pursuit into the city of Ai, the routing of the inhabitants, and their being cut off and punished—directly parallels v.16's report of pursuit and cutting off.
- Judges 4:15 (thematic): Barak pursues Sisera and routs the Canaanite forces; like Joshua's pursuit, a routed enemy is pressed and destroyed after fleeing the battlefield.
- Exodus 14:26-28 (thematic): The Egyptians pursue Israel but are cut off by the LORD at the sea; similar motif of a pursuing force being decisively cut off/destroyed.
- Psalm 18:37-38 (verbal): David uses the same language of pursuing enemies and cutting them off—'I pursued my enemies and destroyed them'—paralleling the verbal imagery of pursuit and extermination in Josh 8:16.
- 1 Samuel 17:52 (thematic): After Goliath's fall the men of Israel pursue the Philistines and strike them down as they flee, reflecting the common battle motif of pursuit into neighboring towns and cutting off the routed foe.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the men who were in Ai cried out after them to pursue, and they chased Joshua; and they were drawn away from the city.
- And all the men of Ai cried out after them for pursuit, and they chased Joshua; and they were drawn away from the city.
Jos.8.17 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- נשאר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובית: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,cs
- אל: NEG
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לא: PART_NEG
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אחרי: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעזבו: VERB,qal,wayq,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- פתוחה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- וירדפו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אחרי: PREP
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 8:19 (verbal): Same military tactic: Joshua sets an ambush and orders a feigned retreat so the men of Ai will leave the city open and pursue Israel.
- Joshua 8:21–22 (structural): Describes the immediate outcome of the ambush in the same episode—Ai's inhabitants are drawn out, the city is left undefended, and the pursuers are trapped.
- Joshua 7:5 (thematic): Contrasts the earlier defeat at Ai (when Israel was routed) with the successful stratagem in ch. 8; highlights the narrative purpose of retaliation and recapture.
- Joshua 8:24–26 (structural): Follows the same action sequence: after the city is left open and the ambush succeeds, Israel captures, burns Ai and executes its king—showing the full result of the pursuit described in v.17.
- Judges 8:4–7 (thematic): Gideon’s pursuit and capture of fleeing enemy leaders echoes the motif of pursuit after a feigned or rout-like flight and the taking of captives/leadership in the aftermath of battle.
Alternative generated candidates
- Not one remained in Ai or in Bethel who did not go out after Israel; they left the city wide open and pursued Israel.
- There remained no man in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel; they left the city wide open and pursued Israel.
Jos.8.18 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נטה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בכידון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- בידך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,suff,2,m,sg
- אתננה: VERB,qal,fut,1,sg
- ויט: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בכידון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בידו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Josh.6.2 (verbal): God's promise to give the city into Joshua's hand ('I have given into thine hand Jericho') echoes the formula in 8:18 ('for I will give it into your hand').
- Exod.14.16 (verbal): God commands Moses to 'stretch out thy hand/rod' over the sea—same verb and motif of stretching an implement at God's command to bring about victory/deliverance.
- Exod.17.11 (thematic): Moses' raised hands during the battle with Amalek (Israel prevailing while his hands are up) parallels the symbolic gesture in 8:18 where a raised/pointed weapon accompanies divine aid in battle.
- Judg.7.19-22 (thematic): Gideon's surprise/night assault produces confusion and rout in the enemy camp—parallels the ambush and sudden collapse of Ai's forces orchestrated in Joshua 8.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD said to Joshua, Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai; for I will give it into your hand. So Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand toward the city.
- And the LORD said to Joshua, "Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand." And Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand toward the city.
Jos.8.19 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- והאורב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- קם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מהרה: ADV
- ממקומו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וירוצו: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כנטות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וילכדוה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl+PRON,3,f,sg
- וימהרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויציתו: CONJ+VERB,hiph,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 8:3-11 (structural): Same episode — an ambush lies in wait outside the city, rises on signal, and then enters to seize the city (contextual parallel to v.19).
- Joshua 6:20-24 (verbal): Similar language and action: the people take a city after divine intervention and devote/burn it (Jericho’s capture and burning is a close precedent).
- Judges 1:8 (verbal): Same formula — 'they took it... and set the city on fire' (a parallel in rhetoric and action during Israelite conquest).
- Joshua 11:11 (thematic): Hazor is captured and burned by Israel, paralleling the pattern of taking and burning Canaanite cities established earlier (echo of v.19’s outcome).
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (thematic): Legal/ideological background: instruction to destroy certain cities and devote them to destruction, providing the theological rationale for burning captured cities.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the ambush rose up quickly from their place and ran; and when he had stretched out his hand, they ran as if at his signal, entered the city, and took it, and they hurried and set the city on fire.
- And the ambush rose quickly from its place, and they ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand; and they entered the city and took it, and they quickly set the city on fire.
Jos.8.20 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויפנו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אחריהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ויראו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- והנה: ADV
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עשן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- השמימה: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ולא: CONJ
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ידים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לנוס: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- הנה: PART
- והנה: ADV
- והעם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- הנס: ADJ,ptcp,qal,m,sg,def
- המדבר: VERB,qal,ptc,3,m,sg
- נהפך: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הרודף: ADJ,ptcp,qal,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Josh.8.28 (structural): Immediate parallel in the same campaign: verse explicitly records Ai being set on fire and made a desolation, explaining the smoke seen by the fleeing men.
- Josh.6.24 (thematic): Jericho's destruction by fire and the city's utter burning; parallels the motif of a captured city burning and smoke rising as proof of its destruction.
- Gen.19.28 (verbal): Uses the striking image of smoke rising from a destroyed city/land (“smoke went up as the smoke of a furnace”), echoing the smoke-as-sign-of-destruction motif in Joshua 8:20.
- Judg.4:15-16 (thematic): Battle narrative where the enemy is routed and turns in flight before the pursuers; parallels the sudden reversal and rout described in Joshua 8:20.
- Exod.14:27-28 (thematic): Account of pursuing forces rendered powerless and destroyed (the Egyptians overwhelmed by the returning waters); comparable motif of pursuing enemies being overthrown and unable to escape.
Alternative generated candidates
- The men of Ai turned back to look, and behold, the smoke of the city rose up to heaven; and they had no power to flee this way or that, for the men who had been fleeing into the wilderness were turned back against those who pursued them.
- When the men of Ai looked behind them, behold, the smoke of the city went up to heaven; and they had no power to flee—behold, the men who had been driven before them had turned back against the pursuers.
Jos.8.21 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהושע: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ראו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- כי: CONJ
- לכד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הארב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וכי: CONJ
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עשן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Josh.8.28 (structural): Same episode—later verse explicitly records that Ai was burned and devoted, completing the action already observed here (the city taken and smoke rising).
- Josh.6.24 (verbal): Parallel in conquest language: Jericho was captured and burned with fire; both passages describe the taking of a city and its destruction by fire as part of Israel’s conquest.
- Gen.19.28 (thematic): Smoke rising from a destroyed city as a visible sign of divine judgment—Genesis describes smoke over Sodom and Gomorrah in a similar image of city destruction by fire.
- 2 Kings 25:9-10 (thematic): Description of Jerusalem being burned and its houses consumed—another instance of a besieged city taken and set on fire, showing the recurrent biblical motif of smoke and burning as markers of conquest and judgment.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city and that the smoke of the city was rising; then they turned back and struck the men of Ai.
- And Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended; then they turned back and struck the men of Ai.
Jos.8.22 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואלה: CONJ+DEM,pl,abs
- יצאו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לקראתם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ויהיו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לישראל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בתוך: PREP
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- מזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואלה: CONJ+DEM,pl,abs
- מזה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- עד: PREP
- בלתי: NEG
- השאיר: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- שריד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ופליט: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Same conquest formula of complete destruction — the city’s inhabitants are struck and none are left; parallels the language and outcome of the Ai ambush.
- Joshua 11:11 (verbal): Another Joshua account using the same structural motif of defeating and leaving no survivors (conquest and extermination of Canaanite cities).
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (thematic): Legal/ethical background for the conquest: instructions to destroy certain peoples and leave nothing that breathes, which underlies narratives of total defeat like Ai.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (thematic): Divine command to Saul to utterly destroy Amalek — a parallel case of divinely sanctioned extermination and the rhetoric of leaving no survivors.
Alternative generated candidates
- Those who had gone out of the city to meet them became a rout among Israel; from one end to the other they were struck, until none remained to be left or to escape.
- And those who had been sent from the city stood in the midst of Israel, some on this side and some on that side, and they struck them until none remained who survived or escaped.
Jos.8.23 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תפשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- ויקרבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- אל: NEG
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 8:29 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: the captured king of Ai is later executed and hung on a tree (the outcome to which v.23 leads).
- Joshua 10:23 (verbal): A nearly identical report of captives brought to Joshua—there the five Amorite kings are captured and brought to Joshua for judgement (paralleling the act of presenting a captured king to the commander).
- Judges 1:6-7 (structural): Adoni‑bezek is captured alive, brought to Judah, mutilated and dies there—parallel motif of routing a city, seizing its king alive and bringing him before Israelite authorities.
- Deuteronomy 20:10-14 (thematic): Law governing siege warfare and the treatment of defeated cities/peoples provides the legal and ideological background for taking and dealing with conquered rulers and populations.
- 2 Kings 25:7 (thematic): Nebuchadnezzar seizes King Zedekiah, brings him to Riblah where he is judged and punished—a later royal parallel of capturing a king and bringing him before the victor for sentencing.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they took the king of Ai alive and brought him to Joshua.
- And they took the king of Ai alive and brought him to Joshua.
Jos.8.24 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ככלות: PREP+INFN,qal,inf
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להרג: VERB,qal,infc
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בשדה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- במדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- רדפום: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויפלו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כלם: PRON,3,m,pl
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- תמם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- לפי: PREP
- חרב: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Josh.6:21 (verbal): Another account of the total destruction of a captured Canaanite city (Jericho): residents put to the sword and the city devoted to destruction, closely mirroring language and action.
- Deut.20:16-17 (structural): Legal injunction to destroy the inhabitants of certain cities (herem); provides the legal/theological basis for the complete annihilation conducted at Ai.
- 1 Sam.15:3 (thematic): Divine command to Saul to utterly destroy Amalek—same theme of divinely sanctioned extermination of a people and total destruction of cities and livestock.
- Josh.10:40 (verbal): Summary of Joshua’s wider campaign: Israel struck all the land, leaving none that breathed—parallels the language of pursuit and complete slaughter after battle.
- Num.31:7-18 (thematic): Report of Israel’s slaughter of Midianite men (and treatment of captives) after pursuit—shares the pattern of pursuit, mass killing, and questions about spoils and survivors.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Israel had finished striking down all the inhabitants of Ai in the field in the wilderness where they had pursued them, and all of them fell by the edge of the sword until none remained, all Israel returned to Ai and struck it with the sword.
- When Israel had finished slaying the inhabitants of Ai in the open country, while pursuing them, they struck them down so that they were consumed; and the remnant in Ai they struck down with the edge of the sword.
Jos.8.25 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- הנפלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- מאיש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- אשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- עשר: NUM,card,m,sg,cons
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- כל: DET
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 8:24-29 (structural): Same narrative episode — immediately surrounding verses that describe the ambush, the slaughter of Ai’s inhabitants, burning the city and executing the king; provides fuller context for the casualty figure.
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Parallel wording and action in the conquest tradition: Jericho’s inhabitants were likewise put to the sword, ‘both men and women,’ reflecting the language and practice of total destruction.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-18 (thematic): Legal instruction for warfare against cities of the nations to be utterly destroyed (the ban), including men, women and children — theological/legislative background for accounts like Ai’s destruction.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (thematic): Samuel’s command to Saul to put Amalek under the ban and to slay men and women echoes the motif of divinely mandated annihilation found in conquest narratives such as Ai’s destruction.
Alternative generated candidates
- So all who fell that day, from man even to woman, were twelve thousand—every one of the people of Ai.
- And the number of those slain that day, from man to woman, was twelve thousand—the whole people of Ai.
Jos.8.26 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהושע: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- השיב: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נטה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בכידון: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- אשר: PRON,rel
- החרים: NOUN,prop,m,pl,def
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- ישבי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Joshua 6:21 (verbal): Both passages describe cities/devotees being put under the ban (חָרַם) and the complete destruction of every living thing in the conquest context.
- Exodus 17:11 (structural): Similar imagery and syntax of an outstretched/held hand sustained until victory is achieved—Moses’ hands stayed up until Israel prevailed over Amalek.
- Deuteronomy 20:16-17 (thematic): Prescribes the legal/theological principle of the herem (devoting certain peoples and cities to complete destruction), the law underlying Joshua’s actions.
- 1 Samuel 15:3 (verbal): Samuel’s command to Saul to ‘utterly destroy’ (put under the ban) Amalek parallels the language and concept of total annihilation found in Joshua’s destruction of Ai.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua did not withdraw his hand that he stretched out with the spear until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
- And Joshua did not withdraw his hand which he had stretched out until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
Jos.8.27 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- רק: PRT
- הבהמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ושלל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ההיא: DEM,f,sg
- בזזו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Joshua 6:17-19 (structural): In the earlier conquest of Jericho the fate of the city’s goods is determined by divine command — there the silver, gold and vessels were devoted to the LORD. Joshua 8:27 parallels this motif of God prescribing what may be taken or consecrated.
- Joshua 7:11-12 (thematic): Achan’s taking of ‘devoted’ items caused Israel’s defeat at Ai. This episode explains the careful allotment of spoil in ch.8 and underlines the theme of obedience to God’s commands about war booty.
- Deuteronomy 20:10-14 (thematic): Deuteronomic instructions for siege warfare distinguish between peoples to be put to the sword and the taking of women, children, livestock and spoil as booty — a legal background for Joshua’s taking of the livestock and plunder by divine permission.
- Numbers 31:25-41 (verbal): After the war with Midian the text gives detailed rules for dividing spoils and what is to be taken for the LORD versus what the soldiers keep. This parallels Joshua 8:27’s concern with allocation of booty under divine command.
- 1 Samuel 15:3,9 (thematic): God’s command to destroy Amalek (and Saul’s later sparing of the best livestock) highlights the same issue of obeying divine orders about spoils of war; Joshua’s compliance in 8:27 contrasts with Saul’s disobedience.
Alternative generated candidates
- Only the livestock and the plunder of that city they took for themselves, according to the word of the LORD which he had commanded Joshua.
- Only the livestock and the plunder of the city they took for themselves, according to the word of the LORD which he had commanded Joshua.
Jos.8.28 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- וישרף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישימה: VERB,hiph,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- תל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עולם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שממה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Josh.6.24 (verbal): Jericho is likewise burned and 'made a heap, a desolation to this day'—nearly identical language and formulaic conclusion to a conquered city.
- Josh.6.26 (verbal): Joshua's pronouncement and curse concerning Jericho uses the same 'heap'/'desolation' formula and the phrase 'to this day,' paralleling the rhetorical and theological framing.
- Deut.20.16-18 (thematic): Legal instruction to devote certain towns to complete destruction (herem), providing the theological and legal rationale behind burning and making cities a perpetual desolation.
- 1 Sam.15.3 (thematic): God's command to Saul to 'utterly destroy' Amalek (men, women, children, animals) parallels the motif of divinely sanctioned total annihilation in conquest narratives.
- Deut.2.34 (thematic): Narrative of Israel taking cities and utterly destroying their inhabitants—an earlier conquest formula that parallels Joshua's account of razing and desolating enemy towns.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Joshua burned Ai and made it a permanent heap of ruins, a desolation to this day.
- And Joshua burned Ai and made it a perpetual heap, a desolation to this day.
Jos.8.29 - Details
Translation
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- העי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- תלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- העץ: NOUN,m,sg,def
- עד: PREP
- עת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הערב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכבוא: CONJ
- השמש: NOUN,f,sg,def
- צוה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וירידו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נבלתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,3,m
- מן: PREP
- העץ: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישליכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אותה: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- אל: NEG
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויקימו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- גל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אבנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Josh.10.26-27 (verbal): Nearly identical narrative pattern: Israel hangs defeated kings on trees until evening, then commands their removal and deposits their bodies in a burial place with stones set at the entrance.
- Deut.21.22-23 (verbal): Legal background for hanging a condemned person on a tree and the injunction to remove the body the same day (one is 'accursed'); provides the law that frames such executions and removals.
- 1 Sam.31.10-13 (thematic): The Philistines expose King Saul's body publicly after his defeat, and later Israelite allies recover and bury the remains — a parallel theme of defeated kings' corpses displayed and subsequently dealt with by the victors.
- Gal.3.13 (quotation): Paul cites Deut.21:23 ('cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree') to interpret Christ's crucifixion; this is a later theological echo of the Sinai law governing hanging on trees referenced in Joshua.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they hanged the king of Ai on a tree until evening. At the time of the going down of the sun Joshua commanded, and they took his body down from the tree and cast it at the entrance of the gate of the city, and raised over it a great heap of stones, which stands to this day.
- And he hanged the king of Ai on a tree until evening; and at the time of sunset Joshua commanded, and they took him down from the tree and cast him at the entrance of the gate of the city, and raised over him a great heap of stones, which stands to this day.
And the LORD said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid or dismayed. Take with you all the fighting men, arise, go up against Ai; for I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.'
'Do to Ai and to its king as you did to Jericho and to its king; only you may carry off the plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.' So Joshua rose and all the fighting men with him to go up against Ai. And Joshua chose thirty thousand men of valor and sent them away by night. And he commanded them, 'Look, lie in ambush against the city behind it; do not go very far from the city; and be all of you ready.'
'And I and all the people who are with me will come near the city. It shall be, when they come out against us as at the first, that we will flee before them.'
'They will come out after us until they have lured us away from the city, for they will say, ‘‘They are fleeing before us as before,’’ and we will flee before them.'
'Then you shall rise up from the ambush and take the city; and the LORD your God will give it into your hand.'
'And it shall be, when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire, according to the word of the LORD. See, I have commanded you.' So Joshua sent them, and they went to the ambush, and they lodged between Bethel and Ai, to the west of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people. And Joshua rose early in the morning and mustered the people; and he and the elders of Israel went up before the people to Ai.
All the fighting men who were with him went up and drew near and came opposite the city and camped north of Ai; and there was a ravine between them and Ai. And he took about five thousand men and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. And they stationed the whole camp north of the city and to the west of the city; and Joshua went that night into the ravine.
When the king of Ai saw it, he and all his people hurried and rose early and went out to meet Israel to battle at the appointed place in the plain; he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city.
Then Joshua and all Israel made themselves appear before them and turned in flight by the way of the wilderness.
All the men of Ai cried out after them to pursue them; and they chased after Joshua; and they were drawn away from the city. And there was not a man left in Ai or in Bethel who did not go out after Israel; they left the city wide open and pursued them. And the LORD said to Joshua, 'Stretch out the spear that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.' So Joshua stretched out the spear that was in his hand toward the city. And the ambush rose quickly from their place and ran as soon as he stretched out his hand; they entered the city and took it, and they quickly set the city on fire.
When the men of Ai looked back, behold, the smoke of the city ascended to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that; for the men who were fleeing to the wilderness were turned back against those pursuing them. So Joshua and all Israel turned back and struck the men of Ai, for the ambush had taken the city and the smoke of the city had gone up; and they struck the men of Ai.
Those who had come out of the city to meet them became Israel's prey; some fell on one side, and some on the other, until none remained who survived or escaped. And they took the king of Ai alive and brought him to Joshua. And it came to pass, when Israel had finished slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field in the wilderness where they chased them, that they fell by the edge of the sword until they were finished; and all the people of Ai were put to the sword.
There fell that day from the people of Ai, man and woman, twelve thousand — all the people of Ai. And Joshua did not withdraw his hand which he had stretched out, until he had destroyed completely all the inhabitants of Ai.
Only the livestock and the plunder of the city they took as booty for themselves, in accordance with the word of the LORD which he had commanded Joshua. And Joshua burned Ai and made it a heap forever, a desolation, as it is to this day. And they hanged the king of Ai on a tree until evening; and at the going down of the sun Joshua commanded, and they took his body down from the tree and cast it at the entrance of the gate of the city, and they raised over it a great heap of stones, which stands to this day.