Section 8:1–29 Israel defeated Ai.

In chapter 7, Israel attacked Ai and the soldiers of Ai defeated them. They were discouraged but they repented of their sin. In chapter 8, God told Joshua to attack Ai again. This time, the Israelites were victorious and defeated Ai.

Verses 8:1–9 describe Joshua’s preparations to attack Ai, with details about the ambush. The soldiers in the ambush left by night ahead of the other soldiers. Verses 8:10–27 describe the movement of the soldiers, and the defeat of Ai. Verses 8:28–29 is a summary of the story.

Here are some other possible section headings:

The fall and destruction of Ai
-or-
Israel conquered Ai

Paragraph 8:1–2

8:1a

Then the LORD said to Joshua: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as Then introduces the next event in the storyline. Some English versions use a different word to mark the next event. Some do not use any word. For example:

And the Lord said to Joshua (Revised Standard Version)
-or-
The Lord said to Joshua (Good News Translation)

Use a natural way in your language to introduce the next event in the storyline.

8:1b

Do not be afraid or discouraged: The two Hebrew words that the Berean Standard Bible translates as afraid and discouraged are imperative commands. The repetition of two synonyms makes this command emphatic. Joshua should not be afraid at all.

Translate this as an emphatic command. It is not necessary to use two verbs unless it is natural to do so. An adverb or an emphatic particle may be a more natural way to express this idea. Some languages have an idiom with this meaning.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged (New International Version)
-or-
Don’t be afraid or give up (New Century Version)

It may be helpful to add implicit information to make clear why Joshua might be afraid, as in the Contemporary English Version:

Don’t be afraid, and don’t be discouraged by what happened at the town of Ai (Contemporary English Version)

8:1c

Take the whole army with you: The phrase whole army refers to the Israelite soldiers.

8:1d

and go up and attack Ai: The Hebrew that the Berean Standard Bible translates as go up and attack is more literally “arise, go up.” The command “arise” is used to introduce a command. The command is “go up.” Translate this command in a way that is natural in your language. For example:

go on up to Ai (Good News Translation)

attack: As mentioned in the previous note, the Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as attack is more literally “go up.” The town of Ai was at a higher elevation than Gilgal, where the Israelites camped. The Israelites went uphill to go from Gilgal to Ai. If your language does not keep track of elevation in this way, you can translate it as:

fight against Ai
-or-
Lead all your fighting men to Ai (New Century Version)

Ai: The town of Ai was mentioned in 7:2. You should translate it in the same way in both places.

8:1e

See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai: It is recommended that you begin a new sentence here.

See: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as See is an emphatic word. It shows the importance of what Yahweh told Joshua. There may be another word or a grammatical particle in some languages to add emphasis. Some versions do not mark emphasis here. Use a word or a grammatical marker that is natural in your language.

I have delivered into your hand: The phrase I have delivered into your hand is a Hebrew idiom. It means that Yahweh will help Joshua and the Israelites to defeat the king of Ai.

your: The Hebrew word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as your is singular. God is speaking to Joshua. It may be more natural in some languages to translate this as a plural. For example:

I will give the king of Ai into your hands
-or-
I will help you (plur.) to defeat the king of Ai

8:1f

his people, his city, and his land: The word his refers to the king of Ai.

The phrase his people, his city, and his land emphasizes that Yahweh will give Joshua complete victory over every part of Ai. This includes its citizens and all the land that is under the power of the king.

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