Joshua 8:10 kjv
And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and numbered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.
Joshua 8:10 nkjv
Then Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.
Joshua 8:10 niv
Early the next morning Joshua mustered his army, and he and the leaders of Israel marched before them to Ai.
Joshua 8:10 esv
Joshua arose early in the morning and mustered the people and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.
Joshua 8:10 nlt
Early the next morning Joshua roused his men and started toward Ai, accompanied by the elders of Israel.
Joshua 8 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 19:27 | Abraham went early in the morning... | Abraham's diligence in seeking God's will. |
| Gen 22:3 | So Abraham rose early in the morning... | Abraham's swift obedience to divine command. |
| Exod 8:20 | The Lord said to Moses, "Rise early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh..." | Moses' promptness in executing God's commands. |
| Exod 24:4 | Moses rose early in the morning and built an altar... | Moses' diligence in establishing covenant. |
| Psa 5:3 | O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice... | Morning as a time for prayer and devotion. |
| Mark 1:35 | In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus rose... | Jesus' example of rising early for spiritual disciplines. |
| Prov 13:4 | The soul of the lazy craves and gets nothing, while the appetite of the diligent is satisfied. | Contrasting diligence with laziness. |
| Eccles 9:10 | Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might... | Importance of doing work diligently. |
| Num 1:2-3 | "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel..." | God's instruction for mustering and organizing Israel. |
| Deut 20:5-9 | Laws concerning exemptions from military service. | Procedures for mustering an army. |
| 1 Sam 11:7-8 | Saul sent messengers... so the fear of the Lord fell upon the people... | Saul's command leading to Israel's mustering for war. |
| Joel 3:9-10 | Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a warrior.” | Prophetic call to muster for spiritual warfare. |
| Deut 31:7-8 | Moses summoned Joshua and said to him... "Be strong and courageous..." | Commissioning Joshua to lead Israel boldly. |
| Josh 1:9 | Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous... | God's personal charge to Joshua to lead. |
| 2 Sam 23:13-17 | David's three mighty men broke through... and brought David water... | Example of courageous leadership inspiring loyalty. |
| Heb 13:7 | Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you... | Respecting and imitating the faith of godly leaders. |
| 1 Tim 3:2 | Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled... | Qualities of godly leadership, implying diligence. |
| Luke 22:26 | But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. | Servant leadership, distinct from worldly power. |
| Josh 7 | Narrative of Israel's defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin. | The immediate backdrop to Joshua's renewed efforts, highlighting lessons learned. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good... | God's ability to redeem and use even past failures. |
| James 1:2-4 | Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds... | Perseverance through trials and spiritual growth. |
| 1 Sam 15:22 | Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? | Emphasizing the importance of obedience over ritual. |
| John 14:21 | Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me... | Link between love for God and obedience to His commands. |
Joshua 8 verses
Joshua 8 10 Meaning
Joshua 8:10 depicts Joshua's prompt and decisive actions as he prepares for the second assault on Ai. Following God's detailed instructions after Israel's initial defeat, Joshua demonstrates active, diligent leadership by rising early, organizing the fighting force, and leading from the front along with the elders. This verse signifies the swift implementation of God's renewed strategy and the unity of leadership, crucial for securing the Lord's victory.
Joshua 8 10 Context
Joshua 8:10 immediately follows God's renewed instructions to Joshua on how to defeat Ai (Josh 8:1-2). This new strategy, involving an ambush, was given after Israel's humiliating defeat at Ai (Josh 7), which was caused by Achan's sin and God's judgment. The context therefore highlights a pivotal moment of renewed obedience and strategic execution following a period of repentance and restoration. Joshua's proactive leadership sets the tone for Israel's recovery and the successful prosecution of God's conquest plan. Historically and culturally, military campaigns frequently began at dawn, signifying readiness and surprise. The involvement of the elders reinforced the unity and communal responsibility within Israel's leadership, reflecting their corporate identity and accountability.
Joshua 8 10 Word analysis
- So Joshua (וַיַּשְׁכֵּם יְהוֹשֻׁעַ – Vayashkêm Yehoshua): The Hebrew verb "vayyashkêm" (and he rose early) comes from the root שָׁכַם (shakam), meaning "to rise early," "to be diligent," or "to do something promptly." This emphasizes Joshua's active and immediate obedience to God's detailed plan. It contrasts sharply with any potential complacency and signifies deep resolve and strategic readiness. His name, "Yehoshua," meaning "Yahweh saves" or "Yahweh is salvation," is poignant here as he leads the charge for a redemptive victory through God's power.
- rose early in the morning (בַּבֹּקֶר – bab-boqer): The definite article indicates a specific, typical time of day for critical activities, especially military maneuvers, due to better light for movement and the element of surprise. It underscores Joshua's discipline and the urgency of the mission.
- and mustered (וַיִּפְקֹד – Vayyiqfod): From the root פָּקַד (paqad), which is richer than just "counting." It means to assemble, review, appoint, visit, or take charge of. In this military context, it signifies a careful organization and inspection of the troops, ensuring they are ready for battle. This highlights Joshua's administrative and strategic capabilities.
- the people (אֶת־הָעָם – et-ha'am): Refers specifically to the fighting men, the organized military force of Israel.
- and went up (וַיַּעַל – Vayyal): From the root עָלָה (ʿalah), "to ascend" or "to go up." This denotes the physical movement towards Ai, which was situated on elevated ground. It also metaphorically suggests the upward movement in faith and determination after the prior setback.
- he and the elders of Israel (הוּא וְזִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל – hu v'ziqne Yisra'el): "He" explicitly names Joshua, emphasizing his personal, hands-on leadership. The inclusion of "the elders of Israel" is significant; these were leading tribal representatives who held authority and spiritual influence. Their presence affirmed communal buy-in, unified leadership, and shared responsibility after the recent national crisis. It signals solidarity and accountability within Israel's governance structure.
- before the people (לִפְנֵי הָעָם – lifne ha'am): Literally "to the face of the people." This conveys that Joshua and the elders were at the very front of the formation, leading by example and demonstrating their courage and commitment. It emphasizes active leadership, inspiring the troops by visible presence.
- to Ai (אַיָה – Aiyah): The city name means "heap of ruins" or "a ruin." This ironic name foreshadows the eventual destruction of the city by Israel, particularly poignant after their first attempt resulted in their own humiliation and "ruin" of morale.
- Joshua rose early... and mustered... and went up: These three successive verbs paint a picture of highly proactive, decisive, and dedicated leadership. Joshua is shown to be diligently putting God's new plan into immediate action. There's no hesitation or delay following the divine directive.
- he and the elders of Israel... before the people: This phrase underscores unified and courageous leadership. Joshua is not alone; the senior tribal leaders stand with him, demonstrating collective responsibility and accountability, especially crucial given their prior failure and corporate sin (Achan). This visual of leaders at the vanguard inspires confidence and signals strong direction to the army.
Joshua 8 10 Bonus section
This verse subtly contrasts with the actions prior to the first Ai defeat (Josh 7), where presumption rather than detailed divine instruction guided the strategy. Here, Joshua receives specific commands from God (Josh 8:1-2) and immediately implements them with utmost diligence. It exemplifies the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility; God gives the plan, and humanity must diligently execute it. The inclusion of "the elders of Israel" after their public lament in chapter 7 shows a restoration of their communal responsibility and renewed corporate obedience to Joshua's God-given leadership.
Joshua 8 10 Commentary
Joshua 8:10 showcases Joshua's exceptional leadership and Israel's renewed commitment to divine obedience. After the devastating defeat at Ai, which humbled the nation and revealed Achan's sin, this verse signals a strategic turnaround. Joshua's prompt "early morning" start reflects diligence and a resolve to act immediately upon God's clear instructions, demonstrating a leader learning from past failures and acting with conviction. His active "mustering" signifies meticulous preparation, essential for executing the Lord's detailed battle plan. Crucially, Joshua leads "he and the elders... before the people," illustrating a united front among the leadership and leading by personal example. This moment sets the stage for God to grant Israel victory through disciplined obedience.