Joshua 8 11

Joshua 8:11 kjv

And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.

Joshua 8:11 nkjv

And all the people of war who were with him went up and drew near; and they came before the city and camped on the north side of Ai. Now a valley lay between them and Ai.

Joshua 8:11 niv

The entire force that was with him marched up and approached the city and arrived in front of it. They set up camp north of Ai, with the valley between them and the city.

Joshua 8:11 esv

And all the fighting men who were with him went up and drew near before the city and encamped on the north side of Ai, with a ravine between them and Ai.

Joshua 8:11 nlt

All the fighting men who were with Joshua marched in front of the town and camped on the north side of Ai, with a valley between them and the town.

Joshua 8 verses

Joshua 8 11 Meaning

Joshua 8:11 describes the strategic positioning of the main Israelite army led by Joshua before the final assault on Ai. Following a failed initial attempt and subsequent repentance for Achan's sin, God provides a precise military plan involving an ambush. This verse details how the main contingent of soldiers moved forward, took position north of Ai, and set up their camp, utilizing a valley to conceal their presence from the city, thereby completing the trap devised by the Lord. It signifies obedience to divine command and careful execution of God's warfare strategy.

Joshua 8 11 Context

Joshua 8:11 is pivotal within the narrative of Israel's conquest of Ai. Earlier, Israel suffered a humiliating defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin (Josh 7), causing great distress and questioning of God's presence. After the sin was addressed and purged, God commanded Joshua to attack Ai a second time, providing a detailed and elaborate battle plan (Josh 8:1-8). This plan included setting an ambush behind the city and drawing out Ai's defenders with a feigned retreat. Verse 11 specifically describes the execution of the main army's role: approaching the city from the north, concealed by a valley. This tactical movement was crucial for the overall success of the divinely orchestrated ambush, allowing the trap to be sprung effectively and leading to Israel's decisive victory over Ai. The broader historical context is the ongoing fulfillment of God's covenant promise to give Israel the land of Canaan, accomplished through military campaigns that highlight divine guidance and power rather than human strength alone.

Joshua 8 11 Word analysis

• And all the people of war: The Hebrew is wĕḵol-hāʿam hamilḥāmāh (וכל העם המלחמה). This phrase specifically refers to the entire combatant force. It distinguishes them from the non-combatant population or other support groups that may have been with Joshua. It highlights the full might being brought to bear, implying total commitment to the divine command.
• who were with him: This indicates Joshua's direct leadership and command over this entire force. It signifies their unity under his authority, which itself comes from God.
• went up: The Hebrew word is wayyaʿălû (וַיַּעֲל֣וּ), from the root ʿālâh (עָלָה). While literally meaning "to ascend," it's frequently used to denote movement towards a specific location, especially when going from a lower elevation to a city often built on a tell or hill, as Ai likely was. It implies an organized, directed advance.
• and drew near: The Hebrew is wayyiḡḡəšû (וַיִּגְּשׁ֗וּ), from nāgaš (נָגַשׁ), meaning "to approach" or "to come close." This emphasizes the proximity gained, essential for engaging the enemy.
• and came before the city: The Hebrew wayyāḇōʾû lip̄nê hāʿîr (וַיָּבֹ֣אוּ לִפְנֵי הָעִיר֙) denotes a direct facing or positioning in front of the fortified area. It signifies a confrontation setup, setting the stage for battle.
• and encamped: The Hebrew is wayyaḥănû (וַיַּחֲנ֖וּ), from ḥānâh (חָנָה). This implies establishing a temporary military camp or fixed position. It denotes setting up quarters, not just passing by, signifying an intentional halt to prepare for sustained operations. This action was crucial to draw Ai's attention and execute the feigned retreat later.
• on the north side of Ai: The Hebrew is miṣṣəp̄ôn lāʿî (מִצְּפ֣וֹן לָעָ֑י). This precise directional detail underscores the meticulous nature of God's strategy. Ai was located in the central hill country, and its vulnerability from the north likely factored into the plan.
• Now there was a valley: The Hebrew wəhaggay' (וְהַגָּ֑יְא) refers to a gay' (גַּיְא), a deep ravine or wadi. This geographical feature served as a critical element of the ambush strategy, providing cover and concealment.
• between him and Ai: This clarifies that the valley separated Joshua's main force from the city itself. This topographical element ensured the main force's partial concealment while still being close enough to be perceived as a direct threat. This played into the deception by allowing Ai's defenders to focus on this seemingly singular threat, oblivious to the hidden ambush.

Word-group analysis:

• And all the people of war who were with him went up and drew near and came before the city: This describes the methodical and unified advance of the main Israelite army under Joshua's leadership. The progression of verbs – went up, drew near, came before – illustrates a precise and controlled movement designed to execute the divine battle plan effectively.
• and encamped on the north side of Ai: This establishes the primary staging area for the assault. The specific directional detail shows the tactical genius of the plan, as the north often provides flatter or more accessible terrain for encampment in the hilly regions. The purpose of this visible encampment was to present a clear, direct threat to Ai's defenders.
• Now there was a valley between him and Ai: This phrase highlights a key topographical feature critical to the success of the ambush. The valley provided concealment for Joshua's army, preventing the inhabitants of Ai from fully perceiving their true numbers or the detailed positioning, thereby setting the stage for the planned deception. It showcases how God used the natural landscape as part of His military strategy. This careful observation of terrain reflects practical wisdom, aligned with divine command.

Joshua 8 11 Bonus section

The mention of the "valley" is not merely geographical description but a crucial element of deception. The people of Ai, focused on the main body of Israelite troops, would have overlooked the smaller, hidden ambush force, assuming the main army was the sole threat. This is a recurring motif in divine warfare where God utilizes unexpected elements or human overconfidence to deliver victory, highlighting that victory belongs to the Lord, not human might. This detailed strategy for Ai contrasts sharply with the earlier capture of Jericho, which fell solely through miraculous divine intervention. At Ai, human military effort and precise execution under divine guidance were also required, demonstrating God's diverse methods for accomplishing His purposes, often adapting to the context and lessons needed by His people.

Joshua 8 11 Commentary

Joshua 8:11 is a concise description of military execution rooted in divine instruction. After the initial, humanly conceived, and prideful failure at Ai, God intervened not just to forgive Israel's sin but to provide an exact blueprint for victory. This verse illustrates Joshua's obedience and meticulousness in implementing that plan. The visible positioning of the main Israelite force north of Ai, coupled with their encampment in plain sight, was designed to act as a decoy, drawing out the entire male population of Ai. The crucial detail of the intervening valley reveals the tactical ingenuity: it allowed Joshua's force to appear as a conventional frontal assault, while subtly obscuring the larger scope of their forces and the unseen ambush party, creating an illusion that fueled Ai's overconfidence. The scene is one of disciplined adherence to a strategy where God Himself is the ultimate architect of the battle, leveraging both natural topography and human perception to achieve His judicial purposes against the inhabitants of Canaan.