8:27a

Israel took for themselves only the cattle and plunder of that city: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as only marks a contrast. They killed the people of Ai, but they took the cattle. Another way to mark this contrast is with the word “but.” For example:

But the Israelites took the animals and other possessions of the people of Ai (Contemporary English Version)

Israel: The word Israel refers to the soldiers of Israel.

took for themselves: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as took for themselves is more literally “take.”

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

The Israelites kept for themselves the livestock and goods (Good News Translation)
-or-
Israel did carry off for themselves the livestock and plunder (New International Version)

the cattle: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as cattle is more literally “livestock.” It refer to cattle and to other domestic animals such as sheep and goats.

Here are some other ways to translate this word:

animals
-or-
domestic animals

plunder: The word plunder refers to the things in the town that were not burned when the army set fire to the town.

8:27b

as the LORD had commanded Joshua: This clause is a reminder about verse 8:2. At that time Yahweh told Joshua that the Israelites could take the goods and animals of Ai for themselves.

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