Joshua 8:27 kjv
Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua.
Joshua 8:27 nkjv
Only the livestock and the spoil of that city Israel took as booty for themselves, according to the word of the LORD which He had commanded Joshua.
Joshua 8:27 niv
But Israel did carry off for themselves the livestock and plunder of this city, as the LORD had instructed Joshua.
Joshua 8:27 esv
Only the livestock and the spoil of that city Israel took as their plunder, according to the word of the LORD that he commanded Joshua.
Joshua 8:27 nlt
Only the livestock and the treasures of the town were not destroyed, for the Israelites kept these as plunder for themselves, as the LORD had commanded Joshua.
Joshua 8 27 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Josh 6:17-19 | "...all the silver, and gold, and vessels... are holy unto the Lord..." | Contrast: Jericho's "herem" (ban). |
| Josh 7:1, 11-12 | "But the children of Israel committed a trespass... Achan... took of the accursed thing..." | Consequences of disobedience, contrast with Ai. |
| Josh 8:2 | "Only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves..." | God's specific command authorizing plunder at Ai. |
| Deut 20:14 | "But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself..." | General laws of war allowing spoil from distant cities. |
| Num 31:26-27 | "Take the sum of the prey that was taken, both of man and of beast... divide the prey into two parts..." | Division of spoils after Midianite war. |
| Deut 8:18 | "But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth..." | God is the source of all provision and prosperity. |
| Prov 3:9-10 | "Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty..." | Obedience in material offerings leads to blessing. |
| 1 Sam 15:3, 9, 22-23 | "...utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not... but Saul and the people spared Agag... Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings... as in obeying the voice of the Lord?" | Disobedience regarding Amalekite spoil; obedience valued over sacrifice. |
| Isa 55:11 | "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void..." | The efficacy and authority of God's word. |
| John 14:15 | "If ye love me, keep my commandments." | Love for God expressed through obedience. |
| Rom 1:5 | "...for obedience to the faith among all nations..." | The necessity of obedience rooted in faith. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God..." | Authority originates from God. |
| Heb 11:6 | "But without faith it is impossible to please him..." | Faith leads to action and obedience. |
| Jas 1:22 | "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only..." | Practical application of God's word. |
| 1 Pet 1:2 | "...unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ..." | Called to obedience through Christ. |
| 1 Jn 5:3 | "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments..." | True love for God involves keeping His commands. |
| Acts 5:29 | "We ought to obey God rather than men." | God's commands supersede human decrees. |
| Exod 17:15 | "And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:" | The Lord is Israel's banner, their victory comes from Him. |
| Deut 13:16 | "...shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit..." | Example of other cities devoted entirely to destruction (herem). |
| 1 Chr 29:12 | "Both riches and honour come of thee..." | All wealth and honor flow from God. |
| Gen 14:20 | "And he gave him tithes of all." | Acknowledgement of God's ownership through offerings. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse..." | Bringing full obedience in financial matters. |
Joshua 8 verses
Joshua 8 27 Meaning
Joshua 8:27 states that Israel was permitted to take the livestock and all the material possessions of the city of Ai as spoil for themselves. This action was not a matter of general military practice or human decision, but was explicitly carried out in precise accordance with a specific divine instruction given by the Lord to Joshua. This marked a significant departure from the instructions given for the conquest of Jericho, highlighting God's direct and varying commands in different circumstances.
Joshua 8 27 Context
Joshua 8:27 falls immediately after Israel's decisive victory over Ai, following a carefully orchestrated divine strategy. This success stands in stark contrast to their previous defeat at Ai in Joshua chapter 7, which was a direct consequence of Achan's disobedience regarding the devoted things (herem) from Jericho. In Jericho, God commanded that all spoil (except precious metals for the treasury) be destroyed or set apart, prohibiting personal appropriation. However, for Ai, God explicitly permitted Israel to take the cattle and spoil for themselves (Joshua 8:2). This shift in command, precisely followed by Israel in verse 27, demonstrates God's sovereignty over the spoils of war and served as a powerful lesson for Israel in strict obedience to God's particular instructions, learning from their past failure. Historically, God was establishing His covenant people in the land, and these military actions were not just territorial conquests but demonstrations of God's power, justice against the inhabitants' wickedness, and a means to teach Israel covenant faithfulness.
Joshua 8 27 Word analysis
Only (raq - רַק): This adverb functions as an exclusionary or restrictive particle. Its presence here is significant as it sets a precise boundary, indicating that while other aspects of Ai (like its inhabitants) were devoted to destruction, the spoil was the sole exception. It underscores the specificity of God's command for this particular engagement, differentiating it clearly from the herem ban applied at Jericho.
the cattle (miqneh - מִקְנֶה): This refers to domesticated animals, livestock, which constituted a major form of wealth in ancient societies. Its inclusion specifically permits appropriation of these living assets.
and the spoil (shalal - שָׁלָל): This noun refers to general booty, plunder, or valuable items taken in war, such as goods, possessions, and treasures. Together with "cattle," it covers the full range of material wealth from the city.
of that city (ha-ʻiyr - הָעִיר): "The city" specifically refers to Ai, providing precise geographic context for this command's application.
Israel (Yisrael - יִשְׂרָאֵל): Refers to the collective people of God, indicating that the spoil was taken for the benefit of the entire nation, not just individual soldiers, though individual portions would be allocated later.
took for a prey (bāzezu lāhem - בָּזְזוּ לָהֶם): This phrase literally means "they plundered for themselves." The verb bazaz (to plunder, pillage) denotes taking possessions by force in war, while lahem ("for themselves") highlights that it was for their own personal and national benefit. This specific phrasing confirms that the appropriation was not a transgression but a permitted act.
unto themselves: Reaffirms that the Israelites personally benefited from the plunder, unlike at Jericho where it was under strict herem.
according unto the word of the Lord (ki-devar YHWH - כִּדְבַר יְהוָה): This is a pivotal phrase. "According unto" (ki-devar) signifies complete conformity and exact adherence. "The word of the Lord" (YHWH) underscores the divine origin and absolute authority of the command. It implies that the taking of spoil was not merely permitted, but mandated by God, distinguishing it from general military custom or opportunistic plundering. It affirms God's absolute sovereignty over everything.
which he commanded Joshua (asher tzivvah et-Yehoshua - אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה אֶת-יְהוֹשֻׁעַ): This phrase pinpoints the direct recipient of the divine instruction and further emphasizes its specificity. Joshua, as leader, received the particular directive, reinforcing the hierarchical and divinely-guided nature of the campaign. It highlights that success and right conduct hinged upon obedience to specific divine commands, not upon assumptions or past practices.
"Only the cattle and the spoil... took for a prey unto themselves": This grouping highlights the designated recipients and specific allowances, setting them apart from general rules of war or from the prior, stricter commands. It demonstrates a measured, divine permission.
"according unto the word of the Lord which he commanded Joshua": This powerful concluding phrase underscores the ultimate authority and source of the entire operation. It establishes that Israel's actions were neither arbitrary nor self-motivated, but divinely orchestrated and legitimized, transforming a typical act of war into an act of worship and obedience. This phrase is a critical theological statement, positioning God as the sovereign commander of war and resource distribution.
Joshua 8 27 Bonus section
The distinction between the herem (devotion to destruction) at Jericho and the allowance for spoil at Ai illustrates God's dynamic and situational commands within a broader divine purpose. It signifies that God is not bound by a single method or rule of engagement but instructs His people uniquely for each task. This also teaches Israel (and us) that blessings and provision come from faithful obedience to His instructions, rather than self-enrichment or mere conquest. The lesson of Ai is fundamentally about learning to wait on and listen for God's precise and immediate word, knowing that His command defines what is right, permissible, and blessed.
Joshua 8 27 Commentary
Joshua 8:27 succinctly concludes the account of Ai's fall, emphasizing a crucial distinction from the Jericho campaign: the divinely-sanctioned taking of spoil. This verse functions as a testament to Israel's renewed obedience, specifically to God's tailored command for Ai (Josh 8:2). After the profound lesson of Achan's sin and the devastating consequences of disobedience at Jericho, Israel demonstrates they have learned to scrupulously follow God's every word. This act of plundering, typically a sign of greed, becomes an act of faithful submission when performed "according to the word of the Lord." The verse highlights God's sovereignty over all resources, His right to dictate their disposition, and the vital importance of discerning and adhering to His specific, often varied, instructions for each situation rather than operating on past precedent or general principles alone.