8:7a

you are to rise from the ambush: This clause indicates the next step in Joshua’s plan. First the Israelite soldiers with Joshua will lead the Ai soldiers away from the town. Then the soldiers who are hiding will attack the town.

and seize the city: The phrase seize the city indicates that the Israelites would defeat the people who remained in the town and capture it.

8:7b

for: The word for introduces the reason for Israel’s success.

the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand: Yahweh will enable the Israelite soldiers to defeat the town. The Israelites captured the town because of the power of Yahweh, and not because of their own cleverness or strength.

deliver it into your hand: The expression deliver it into your hand is a Hebrew idiom. It means that Yahweh will help Joshua and the Israelites to defeat the king of Ai.

Here are some other ways to translate this idiom:

The Lord your God will give you the power to win. (New Century Version)
-or-
The Lord our God will help you capture the town. (Contemporary English Version)

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