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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 8:35

There was not a word of all that Moses commanded, which Joshua read not ,.... So punctually, precisely, and exactly did he observe the instructions and commands that were given him by Moses; and this he did in the most public manner: before all the congregation of Israel ; who were on this occasion called together, and not before the men only, but with the women, and little ones : who all had a concern in the things that were read to them: yea, even and the strangers that were... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8

The Lord encourages Joshua, and promises to deliver Ai into his hands, and instructs him how he is to proceed against it, Joshua 8:1 , Joshua 8:2 . Joshua takes thirty thousand of his best troops, and gives them instructions concerning his intention of taking Ai by stratagem, Joshua 8:3-8 . The men dispose themselves according to these directions, Joshua 8:9-13 . The king of Ai attacks the Israelites, who, feigning to be beaten, fly before him, in consequence of which all the troops of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:1

Fear not - The iniquity being now purged away, because of which God had turned his hand against Israel, there was now no cause to dread any other disaster, and therefore Joshua is ordered to take courage. Take all the people of war with thee - From the letter of this verse it appears that all that were capable of carrying arms were to march out of the camp on this occasion: thirty thousand chosen men formed an ambuscade in one place; five thousand he placed in another,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:8

Ye shall set the city on fire - Probably this means no more than that they should kindle a fire in the city, the smoke of which should be an indication that they had taken it. For as the spoils of the city were to be divided among the people, had they at this time set fire to the city itself, all the property must have been consumed, for the five thousand men did not wait to save any thing, as they immediately issued out to attack the men of Ai in the rear. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:10

Numbered the people - העם את ויפקד vaiyiphkod eth haam , he visited the people - inspected their ranks to see whether every thing was in perfect readiness, that in case they should be needed they might be led on to the attack. There is no doubt that Joshua had left the rest of the army so disposed and ready, part of it having probably advanced towards Ai, that he might easily receive reinforcements in case of any disaster to the thirty thousand which had advanced against the city;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:17

There was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el - It is very likely that the principal strength of Beth-el had been previously brought into Ai, as the strongest place to make a stand in; Beth-el being but about three miles distant from Ai, and probably not greatly fortified. Therefore Ai contained on this occasion all the men of Beth-el - all the warriors of that city, as well as its own troops and inhabitants. Others think that the Beth-elites, seeing the Israelites fly, sallied... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:18

Stretch out the spear - It is very probable that Joshua had a flag or ensign at the end of his spear, which might be easily seen at a considerable distance; and that the unfurling or waving of this was the sign agreed on between him and the ambush. (see Joshua 8:13 , and the preceding observations on Joshua 8:1 ; (note), observation 6); and on seeing this flag or ensign unfurled, the men who lay in ambush arose and entered the city, making the fire previously agreed on. See Joshua... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:19

Set the city on fire - See on Joshua 8:8 ; (note). read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:20

They had no power to flee this way or that way - They were in utter consternation; they saw that the city was taken, they found themselves in the midst of their foes; that their wives, children, and property, had fallen a prey to their enemies, in consequence of which they were so utterly panic-struck as to be incapable of making any resistance. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 8:24

Returned unto Ai , and smote it with the edge of the sword . - This must refer to the women, children, and old persons, left behind; for it is likely that all the effective men had sallied out when they imagined the Israelites had fled. See Joshua 8:16 . read more

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