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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 7:1-5

The story of this chapter begins with a but. The Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was noised through all that country, so the foregoing chapter ends, and it left no room to doubt but that he would go on as he had begun conquering and to conquer. He did right, and observed his orders in every thing. But the children of Israel committed a trespass, and so set God against them; and then even Joshua's name and fame, his wisdom and courage, could do them no service. If we lose our God, we lose... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:1

But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing ,.... Or concerning it, with respect to it, by taking part of what was devoted to another use, and forbidden theirs: this was done, not by the whole body of the people, only by one of them; but it not being discovered who it was, it was imputed to the whole, on whom it lay to find out the guilty person and punish him, or else the whole must suffer for it: this chapter begins with a "but", and draws a vail over the fame and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:2

And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai ,.... Which was the next city of importance, though not so large as Jericho, and was, as the Jews say F12 Shemoth Rabba, sect. 32. fol. 185. 2. , three miles distant from it; Abarbinel says F13 In Josh. xx. fol. 34. 1. four miles, and so Bunting F14 Travels Of the Patriarchs, &c.; p. 95. ; Jerom F15 De loc. Heb. fol. 87. E. says, that in his times very few ruins of it appeared, only the place was shown where it stood: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:3

And they returned unto Joshua, and said unto him, let not all the people go up ,.... After they had reconnoitred the place, they came back to their general, and gave it as their opinion, that there was no need for the whole army to go up against the city: but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai ; such a number they judged were sufficient to take it: and make not all the people to labour thither ; carrying their tents, bearing their armour, and going up hill: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 7:4

So there went up thither of the people about three thousand men ,.... Joshua detached from the army the largest number proposed, that there might be strength enough to take the place; and those he sent under proper officers to Ai, who went up to the very gate of the city, as appears from Joshua 7:5 , and they fled before the men of Ai ; for upon their appearing at the gate of their city, they came out with all their forces against them, and as soon as they did, the children of Israel... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:1

The children of Israel committed a trespass - It is certain that one only was guilty; and yet the trespass is imputed here to the whole congregation; and the whole congregation soon suffered shame and disgrace on the account, as their armies were defeated, thirty-six persons slain, and general terror spread through the whole camp. Being one body, God attributes the crime of the individual to the whole till the trespass was discovered, and by a public act of justice inflicted on... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:2

Sent men from Jericho to Ai - This is the place called Hai, Genesis 12:8 . It was in the east of Beth-el, north of Jericho, from which it was distant about ten or twelve miles. From Joshua 7:4 , Joshua 7:5 ; it appears to have been situated upon a hill, and belonged to the Amorites, as we learn from Joshua 7:7 . It is very likely that it was a strong place, as it chose to risk a siege, notwithstanding the extraordinary destruction of Jericho which it had lately witnessed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:4

About three thousand men - The spies sent to reconnoitre the place ( Joshua 7:3 ;) reported that the town was meanly garrisoned, and that two or three thousand men would be sufficient to take it. These were accordingly sent up, and were repulsed by the Amorites. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:1

Verse 1 1.But the children of Israel committed, etc Reference is made to the crime, and indeed the secret crime, of one individual, whose guilt is transferred to the whole people; and not only so, but punishment is at the same time executed against several who were innocent. But it seems very unaccountable that a whole people should be condemned for a private and hidden crime of which they had no knowledge. I answer, that it is not new for the sin of one member to be visited on the whole body.... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 7:2

Verse 2 2.And Joshua sent men from Jericho, etc To examine the site of the city and reconnoiter all its approaches was an act of prudence, that they might not, by hurrying on at random through unknown places, fall into an ambuscade. But when it would be necessary shortly after to advance with all the forces, to send forward a small band with the view of taking the city, seems to betray a want of military skill. Hence it would not have been strange that two or three thousand men, on a sudden... read more

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