Tyndale Open Study NotesJoshua 8

The Israelites made the first attempt to conquer Ai without consulting God. The second attempt was at God's command and direction. Before this attempt, God spoke to Joshua and gave him a strategy. More importantly, after Israel's recent disaster, God offered encouragement and a promise.

Do not be afraid or discouraged: God gave Joshua similar encouragement before sending him to Jericho (6:2).

• Unlike other ancient nations that went to war to gain wealth, Israel acted as God's agent to judge the people of Canaan. Their plunder and livestock were secondary.

• The strategy for capturing Ai involved planning an ambush. Joshua followed God's simple instructions effectively.

• behind the town: On its west side (8:12).

• Set out to attack Ai: This first sentence provides a summary. Details follow in the next paragraphs.

• The Hebrew words translated 30,000 might mean 30 units (see study note on Exodus 12:37) or 30 chieftains (leaders of groups or tribes). As the battle continued, this group waited in hiding for a surprise attack (an ambush). They remained hidden until Joshua called them into action (Joshua 8:18–19).

Joshua told the selected group what to expect from Israel’s main army. This special unit would be separated from Joshua’s direct command for almost two days. Because of this, they needed to understand clearly what they were supposed to do.

Israel’s success in this second attack on Ai depended on exact timing. The group had to rush into the town at the right moment.

The main army marched in front of the town, showing that Joshua did not try to hide them from those defending Ai. The main army approached from the east and camped on Ai's north side by the end of the day. The men in ambush were west of Ai, between Ai and Bethel.

The king of Ai and all his army were eager to repeat what they thought was their success in the earlier battle. They acted without caution. As Joshua and Israel had already learned, this kind of confidence can lead to danger.

Joshua and the Israelite army ran away like they did in the first attack (7:4–5).

• Not a man was left in Ai or Bethel: Soldiers often gained from war by taking trophies from defeated enemies or receiving rewards from their king for each enemy killed.

• The warriors of Bethel likely joined those of Ai because they feared Israel's advance.

Israel succeeded in this second attack on Ai because this time God directed the battle.

Before its destruction, the town of Ai had a different name that is now unknown. The writer of the book of Joshua always called the town Ai, which means “ruin.” This name reflects what the town became after it was destroyed.

• The public executions of the kings showed that Israel acted as God's agent to judge the leaders and people of Canaan for their evil acts (see also 10:26; 11:10, 12).

• until evening: See Deuteronomy 21:22–23.

• which remains to this day: See Joshua Book Introduction, “Author and Date.”

• Archaeologists have recently discovered an altar on Mount Ebal. It was built of uncut stones and was not shaped with iron tools. However, no inscription has been found with the altar (8:32).

• burnt offerings … peace offerings: These were part of the laws of sacrifice God gave Moses while Israel was at Mount Sinai (Leviticus 1, 3). Moses gave specific commands for this ceremony (see Deuteronomy 11:26–32; 27:1–28:68).

Joshua carried out what Moses had commanded him to do. He set up stones and covered them with plaster (Deuteronomy 27:2–8). After the plaster hardened, the instructions (Hebrew torah, meaning God’s teaching or law) were permanently placed on public display. This took place at the first location where Israel formally worshiped the Lord after entering the land.

Public displays of laws were common in the ancient world. A well-known example is the Code of Hammurabi, which King Hammurabi set up so people could see the laws.

This ceremony marked the official claiming of the land, even though major battles against the people of Canaan were still ahead. The sacrifice ceremony and reading of the law of Moses emphasized God's covenant promises and obligations. It also anticipated the eventual possession of all of Canaan.

The town of Shechem is between Mount Gerizim to the south and Mount Ebal to the north. It guarded the passage between these two mountains. Although the ceremony to renew the covenant happened at Shechem, neither the book of Joshua nor Judges mentions that Israel conquered the town. Every Israelite was present. They placed the ark of the covenant in the valley between the two groups. This ceremony was a promise to practice the covenant God made with Israel at Mount Sinai.

the blessings and the curses: See Deuteronomy 27–28.

• Old Testament religion was not limited to the men of Israel. The entire assembly included women and children.

• the foreigners who lived among them: The Israelites included those who left Egypt with them during the exodus (Exodus 12:38, 48–49). These converts accepted the Lord as their God. They joined Israel after seeing the great things God had done for them.