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Joshua 8:9

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does Joshua 8:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Joshua sent them forth; and they went to the ambushment, and abode between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Joshua sent them forth; and they went to the ambushment, and abode between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.
Joshua 8:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Joshua 8

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
6and they will come out after us, till we have drawn them away from the city; for they will say, They flee before us, as at the first: so we will flee before them;
7and ye shall rise up from the ambush, and take possession of the city: for Jehovah your God will deliver it into your hand.
8And it shall be, when ye have seized upon the city, that ye shall set the city on fire; according to the word of Jehovah shall ye do: see, I have commanded you.
9And Joshua sent them forth; and they went to the ambushment, and abode between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.
10And Joshua arose up early in the morning, and mustered the people, and went up, he and the elders of Israel, before the people to Ai.
11And all the people, [even] the [men of] war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and encamped on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between him and Ai.
12And he took about five thousand men, and set them in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city.
← Joshua 8:8Joshua 8:10 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Joshua therefore sent them forth, etc.] The thirty thousand chosen men: and they went to lie in ambush; as they were ordered, (<060802>Joshua 8:2): and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai; for as Ai was on the east of Bethel, (<060702>Joshua 7:2). Bethel must be on the west of Ai, as Jarchi notes: but Joshua lodged that night among the people; the main body of the army, to direct them in the affair of war, how they should behave the next day, when they came to fight; and to inspire them with courage and confidence, that they might not be afraid, because of their having been smitten before by this people, so Ben Gersom; or rather that he and they might be ready in the morning…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“between Beth-el and Ai--Beth-el, though lying quite near in the direction of west by north, cannot be seen from Tell-el-hajar; two rocky heights rise between both places, in the wady El-Murogede, just as the laying of an ambush to the west of Ai would require [VAN DE VELDE; ROBINSON].”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Sent them - The same party. Among the people - Heb. that people, the people of war as they are called, Jos 8:11, that is, the main body of the host consisting of thirty thousand. Joshua 8:10”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“between: Jos 8:12, Jos 7:2; Gen 12:8, Hai, Ezr 2:28; Neh 7:32 lodged: Gen 32:21 Joshua 8:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification