8:13a

So: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as So introduces the next event in the storyline. Often this word is translated as “and.”

the forces were stationed: The clause the forces were stationed indicates that Joshua and the leaders of Israel arranged the army in their places to attack the soldiers of Ai.

8:13b

with the main camp to the north of the city: It may be clearer to begin a new sentence here. The main group of soldiers was in their camp north of Ai.

and the rear guard to the west of the city: The rear guard refers to the soldiers who hid west of Ai so that they could attack by surprise.

8:13c

And that night Joshua went into the valley: The phrase into the valley refers to the valley mentioned in 8:11c that was between the Israelite camp and the town of Ai. Joshua may have gone down into the valley so that he would know the best way to conduct the battle the next morning.

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