Joshua 8:1-12:24 NIV

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Joshua 8:1

CAPTURE OF AIThe shameful failure of Israel to capture Ai, as related in the previous chapter, having at this time been discovered as due to the treachery of Achan, and that sin having now been punished by the death of the offender, the people of Israel at this point in time are again considered to be in full favor with God as His covenant children. The disastrous failure at Ai had surely taught the whole nation an effective lesson, that, if they obeyed God, He would bless them, and that, if... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Joshua 8:1

1, 2. The Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not—By the execution of justice on Achan, the divine wrath was averted, the Israelites were reassured, defeat was succeeded by victory; and thus the case of Ai affords a striking example of God's disciplinary government, in which chastisements for sin are often made to pave the way for the bestowment of those temporal benefits, which, on account of sin, have been withdrawn, or withheld for a time. Joshua, who had been greatly dispirited, was encouraged by a... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 8:1-2

In view of Israel’s defeat, God’s encouraging words were necessary to strengthen Joshua’s resolve (cf. Joshua 1:9). God promised to give victory, but He specified the strategy. This time the Israelites could keep the spoil themselves. "You shall take only" (Joshua 8:2) means, "Only you shall take." read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Joshua 8:1-29

3. Victory at Ai 8:1-29When the people had dealt with the sin of Achan as God commanded, Israel was ready to engage the enemy again. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:1-35

The Conquest of Ai. The Covenant confirmed upon Mt. Ebal1-29. The Taking of Ai. Edersheim explains that Joshua detailed a corps of 30,000 men, of whom 5,000 were placed W. of Ai in a wood. The 25,000 pitched K of Ai, and subsequently moved forward into the valley below the city. Then came the feigned attack and retreat eastward, the signal from Joshua, and the assault by the ambush from the rear. It should be noted, however, that there are two accounts of the ambush, one in Joshua 8:3, Joshua... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Joshua 8:1

VIII.(1) Fear not, neither be thou dismayed.—See Joshua 1:9; Joshua 10:25. In Joshua 1:9, “For the Lord thy God is with thee.” These words indicate the return of Jehovah to the host of Israel, for the prosecution of the war.Take all the people.—Not merely “two or three thousand,” as before.Ai.—In Hebrew, Hâ-ai. Ai is intended for one syllable, not two as often sounded in English. It means “the heap” (of ruins apparently). In Joshua 8:28 we read that Joshua made it “an heap for ever” (Tel-ôlâm... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Joshua 8:1-35

Joshua 8:0 By general consent the valley of Shechem holds the distinction of being one of the most beautiful in the country. 'Its western side,' says Stanley, 'is bounded by the abutments of two mountain ranges, running from west to east. These ranges are Gerizim and Ebal; and up the opening between them, not seen from the plain, lies the modern town of Nablous [Neapolis = Shechem].... A valley green with grass, grey with olives, gardens sloping down on each side, fresh springs running down in... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:1-29

CHAPTER XVI.THE CAPTURE OF AI.Joshua 8:1-29.JOSHUA, having dealt faithfully with the case of Achan, whose sin had intercepted the favour of God, is again encouraged, and directed to renew, but more carefully, his attack on Ai. That word is addressed to him which has always such significance when coming from the Divine lips - "Fear not." How much of our misery arises from fear! How many a beating heart, how many a shaking nerve, how many a sleepless night have come, not from evil experienced,... read more

Arno Clemens Gaebelein

Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Joshua 8:1-35

8. The Overthrow of Ai CHAPTER 8 1. The advance commanded (Joshua 8:1-2 ) 2. The strategy of Joshua (Joshua 8:3-13 ) 3. Ai’s defeat (Joshua 8:14-29 ) 4. Joshua’s obedience (Joshua 8:30-35 ) Sin confessed, judged and put away restored communion with the Lord. If any burden remained upon the mind of Joshua, it was removed by the repeated words of comfort and cheer. “Fear not, neither be thou dismayed.” The failure is no longer mentioned, but instead, comfort and assurance is given and... read more

L.M. Grant

L. M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:1-35

AI TOTALLY DESTROYED (vs.1-29) Now the Lord gives explicit instructions to Joshua as to attacking Ai. How different these were to the plans Joshua used at first! God tells Joshua not to be afraid, but to take with him all the men of war, not only 3000 men (v.1). It was God who would deliver them into the hand of Joshua, so that there was no doubt of their gaining the victory. They must do with Ai as they had done with Jericho, but in this case the people could take the spoil for themselves... read more