Joshua 8:3 - Forerunner Commentary

Joshua 8:3

The Fall of Ai

1 Now the Lord said to Joshua: ^a“Do not be afraid, nor be dismayed; take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. See, ^bI have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.

2 And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to ^aJericho and its king. Only ^bits spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it.”

3 So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai; and Joshua chose thirty thousand mighty men of valor and sent them away by night.

4 And he commanded them, saying: “Behold, ^ayou shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.

5 Then I and all the people who are with me will approach the city; and it will come about, when they come out against us as at the first, that ^awe shall flee before them.

6 For they will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city, for they will say, ‘They are fleeing before us as at the first.’ Therefore we will flee before them.

7 Then you shall rise from the ambush and seize the city, for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand.

8 And it will be, when you have taken the city, that you shall set the city on fire. According to the commandment of the Lord you shall do. ^aSee, I have commanded you.”

9 Joshua therefore sent them out; and they went to lie in ambush, and stayed between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai; but Joshua lodged that night among the people.

Verse Comparison: Joshua 8:3

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American Standard Version
So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up to Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand men, the mighty men of valor, and sent them forth by night.

Amplified® Bible
So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai; [he] chose thirty thousand mighty men of strength and sent them forth by night.

Contemporary English Version
Joshua quickly got the army ready to attack Ai. He chose thirty thousand of his best soldiers and gave them these orders: Tonight, while it is dark, march to Ai and take up a position behind the town. Get as close to the town as you can without being seen, but be ready to attack.

Darby English Version
And Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up to Ai. And Joshua chose thirty thousand valiant men, and sent them away by night.

Good News Bible
So Joshua got ready to go to Ai with all his soldiers. He picked out thirty thousand of his best troops and sent them out at night

King James Version
So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night.

New American Standard Bible
So Joshua rose with all the people of war to go up to Ai; and Joshua chose 30,000 men, valiant warriors, and sent them out at night.

New International Version
So Joshua and the whole army moved out to attack Ai. He chose thirty thousand of his best fighting men and sent them out at night

New King James Version
So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai; and Joshua chose thirty thousand mighty men of valor and sent them away by night.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
So Joshua rose with all the people of war to go up to Ai; and Joshua chose 30,000 men, valiant warriors, and sent them out at night.

Revised Standard Version
So Joshua arose, and all the fighting men, to go up to Ai; and Joshua chose thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them forth by night.

Young's Literal Translation
And Joshua riseth, and all the people of war, to go up to Ai, and Joshua chooseth thirty thousand men, mighty ones of valour, and sendeth them away by night,

New English Translation
Joshua and the whole army marched against Ai.¹ Joshua selected thirty thousand brave warriors and sent them out at night.

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