The spear that Joshua points at the city is more precisely a “javelin” (An American Translation, Revised Standard Version, New American Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible), which is a smaller weapon; Gray defines it as a weapon that is thrown, not thrust; Soggin says that in the Qumran literature it means “sword” (so Bible de Jérusalem). He keeps his weapon pointed toward Ai until the destruction and slaughter are complete (verse 26). So this is not just a signal for the troops lying in ambush but a gesture whereby the Lord enables his people to win (see Moses at the battle of Rephidim, Exo 17.11-13).

In the statement I am giving it to you the pronoun “it” refers back to Ai of the previous clause. It is possible, however, that the reader might take this to mean the spear. It may therefore be helpful to translate “I am giving the city to you.” Or it may be expressed, “I am placing the city in your power,” by which “in your power” substitutes for “in your hand” of the Hebrew (see Revised Standard Version).

Joshua did as he was told may be translated with even more brevity (“Joshua did it”) or more explicitness (“Joshua pointed his spear at the city”). One may also translate “Joshua did what the LORD told him to do.”

Verse 19 either assumes or narrates six separate events. Although these events are described in an orderly manner, it may be to the readers’ advantage if a new sentence is used to begin the verse. Moreover, depending upon the expectations of the receptor language, the verse allows itself to be broken into sentence units at various places. For example, “The men who had been hiding saw Joshua lift up his spear. So they immediately got up and ran into the city. They captured the city and quickly set it on fire.”

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Newman, Barclay M. A Handbook on Joshua. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1983. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .