John Gill's Exposition on Joshua 8:17

A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.

Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.

And there was not a man left in Ai or Bethel that went not out after Israel, etc.] For as these two places were very near to each other, but a mile apart, they were in confederacy, and acted together, and could easily be called to the help of each other when required: though there is a difficulty how the men of Bethel could join those of Ai, when the ambush lay between them both, (<060812>Joshua 8:12); they either went another way, or the ambush purposely let them pass, for fear of a discovery by a skirmish with them, and that Bethel as well as Ai might be cleared of its armed inhabitants, and so fall an easy prey to them as well as Ai: this must be understood only of men of war; for otherwise there were inhabitants left, as old men, and such as were unfit for war, afterwards slain, (<060824>Joshua 8:24,25); and they left the city open: they did not stay to shut the gates, nor left porters or any guards about, to take care of, protect, and defend the city: and pursued after Israel; with great eagerness and vehemence, not having the least apprehension of their city being in any danger.

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