Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.” New Living Translation You will destroy them as you destroyed Jericho and its king. But this time you may keep the plunder and the livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the town.” English Standard Version And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its livestock you shall take as plunder for yourselves. Lay an ambush against the city, behind it.” Berean Standard Bible And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.” Berean Literal Bible And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and to its king; only its spoil and its cattle you⁺ shall take as plunder for yourselves. Set up to you an ambush for the city behind it.” King James Bible And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it. New King James Version And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king. Only its spoil and its cattle you shall take as booty for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it.” New American Standard Bible You shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoils and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.” NASB 1995 “You shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.” NASB 1977 “And you shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.” Legacy Standard Bible So you shall do to Ai and its king just as you did to Jericho and its king; you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.” Amplified Bible You shall do [the same] to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king; [except that] you shall take only its spoil and its cattle as plunder for yourselves. Set up an ambush for the city behind it [on the west side].” Berean Annotated Bible And you shall do to Ai (heap of ruins) and its king as you did to Jericho (city of palms) and its king, except that you⁺ may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city. Christian Standard Bible Treat Ai and its king as you did Jericho and its king, except that you may plunder its spoil and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.” Holman Christian Standard Bible Treat Ai and its king as you did Jericho and its king; you may plunder its spoil and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.” American Standard Version and thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: set thee an ambush for the city behind it. English Revised Version And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: set thee an ambush for the city behind it. GOD'S WORD® Translation You will do the same thing to Ai and its king that you did to Jericho and its king. However, you may take its loot and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city." Good News Translation You are to do to Ai and its king what you did to Jericho and its king, but this time you may keep its goods and livestock for yourselves. Prepare to attack the city by surprise from the rear." International Standard Version Do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, but take its spoil and its livestock as war booty for yourselves. Set an ambush around the city." NET Bible Do to Ai and its king what you did to Jericho and its king, except you may plunder its goods and cattle. Set an ambush behind the city!" New Heart English Bible You shall do to Ai and her king as you did to Jericho and her king, except its spoil and its livestock, you shall take for a plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it." Webster's Bible Translation And thou shalt do to Ai and her king, as thou didst to Jericho and her king: only its spoil, and its cattle, shall ye take for a prey to yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.” World English Bible You shall do to Ai and her king as you did to Jericho and her king, except you shall take its goods and its livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city behind it.” Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand you have done to Ai and to her king as you have done to Jericho and to her king; only spoil its spoil and its livestock for yourselves; for you set an ambush for the city at its rear.” Berean Literal Bible And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and to its king; only its spoil and its cattle you⁺ shall take as plunder for yourselves. Set up to you an ambush for the city behind it.” Young's Literal Translation and thou hast done to Ai and to her king as thou hast done to Jericho and to her king; only, its spoil and its cattle ye spoil for yourselves; set for thee an ambush for the city at its rear.' Smith's Literal Translation And do to Ai and to her king as thou didst to Jericho and to her king: only its plunder and her cattle ye shall plunder to yourselves: set to thee an ambush to the city from behind it. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd thou shalt do to the city of Hai, and to the king thereof, as thou hast done to Jericho, and to the king thereof: but the spoils and all the cattle you shall take for a prey to yourselves: lay an ambush for the city behind it. Catholic Public Domain Version And you shall do to the city of Ai, and to its king, just as you did to Jericho, and to its king. Yet truly, the spoils, and all the living things, you shall plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush against the city behind it.” New American Bible Do to Ai and its king what you did to Jericho and its king—except that you may take its spoil and livestock as plunder. Set an ambush behind the city. New Revised Standard Version You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king; only its spoil and its livestock you may take as booty for yourselves. Set an ambush against the city, behind it.” Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king; only the spoil and the cattle shall you take as a prey for yourselves; lay an ambush against the city, from behind it. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And do to Ai and its King as you have done to Yerikho and its King, only the loot and the cattle plunder for yourselves, and ambush for yourselves an ambush from behind the city OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king; only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves; set thee an ambush for the city behind it.' Brenton Septuagint Translation And thou shalt do to Gai, as thou didst to Jericho and its king; and thou shalt take to thyself the spoil of its cattle; set now for thyself an ambush for the city behind. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The Conquest of Ai1Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. 2And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.” 3So Joshua and the whole army set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor and sent them out at night… Cross References And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, Joshua 6:21 With the edge of the sword they devoted to destruction everything in the city—man and woman, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys. Deuteronomy 7:2 and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you to defeat them, then you must devote them to complete destruction. Make no treaty with them and show them no mercy. Joshua 10:28 On that day Joshua captured Makkedah and put it to the sword, along with its king. He devoted to destruction everyone in the city, leaving no survivors. So he did to the king of Makkedah as he had done to the king of Jericho. except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Deuteronomy 20:14 But the women, children, livestock, and whatever else is in the city—all its spoil—you may take as plunder, and you shall use the spoil of your enemies that the LORD your God gives you. Deuteronomy 3:7 But all the livestock and plunder of the cities we carried off for ourselves. Deuteronomy 2:35 We carried off for ourselves only the livestock and the plunder from the cities we captured. Set up an ambush behind the city.” Judges 20:29-33 So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah. / On the third day the Israelites went up against the Benjamites and arrayed themselves against Gibeah as they had done before. / The Benjamites came out against them and were drawn away from the city. They began to attack the people as before, killing about thirty men of Israel in the fields and on the roads, one of which led up to Bethel and the other to Gibeah. … Judges 20:36-37 Then the Benjamites realized they had been defeated. Now the men of Israel had retreated before Benjamin because they were relying on the ambush they had set against Gibeah. / The men in ambush rushed suddenly against Gibeah; they advanced and put the whole city to the sword. Judges 9:34-35 So Abimelech and all his troops set out by night and lay in wait against Shechem in four companies. / Now Gaal son of Ebed went out and stood at the entrance of the city gate just as Abimelech and his men came out from their hiding places. Deuteronomy 20:10-18 When you approach a city to fight against it, you are to make an offer of peace. / If they accept your offer of peace and open their gates, all the people there will become forced laborers to serve you. / But if they refuse to make peace with you and wage war against you, lay siege to that city. … Joshua 6:2-5 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Behold, I have delivered Jericho into your hand, along with its king and its mighty men of valor. / March around the city with all the men of war, circling the city one time. Do this for six days. / Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then on the seventh day, march around the city seven times, while the priests blow the horns. … 1 Samuel 15:3 Now go and attack the Amalekites and devote to destruction all that belongs to them. Do not spare them, but put to death men and women, children and infants, oxen and sheep, camels and donkeys.’” 2 Samuel 5:23-25 So David inquired of the LORD, who answered, “Do not march straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. / As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because this will mean that the LORD has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” / So David did as the LORD had commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. 2 Kings 3:19 And you shall attack every fortified city and every city of importance. You shall cut down every good tree, stop up every spring, and ruin every good field with stones.” 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 And he said, “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the LORD says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army, for the battle does not belong to you, but to God. / Tomorrow you are to march down against them. You will see them coming up the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the valley facing the Wilderness of Jeruel. / You need not fight this battle. Take up your positions, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out and face them tomorrow, for the LORD is with you.’” Isaiah 10:6 I will send him against a godless nation; I will dispatch him against a people destined for My rage, to take spoils and seize plunder, and to trample them down like clay in the streets. Treasury of Scripture And you shall do to Ai and her king as you did to Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall you take for a prey to yourselves: lay you an ambush for the city behind it. do to Ai Joshua 8:24,28,29 And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword… Joshua 6:21 And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword. Joshua 10:1,28 Now it came to pass, when Adonizedek king of Jerusalem had heard how Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king; and how the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel, and were among them; … only the spoil Joshua 8:2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it. Deuteronomy 20:14 But the women, and the little ones, and the cattle, and all that is in the city, even all the spoil thereof, shalt thou take unto thyself; and thou shalt eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. Job 27:16,17 Though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay; … lay thee Joshua 8:7,9,12,14,19 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand… Judges 20:29-33 And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah… 2 Chronicles 13:13 But Jeroboam caused an ambushment to come about behind them: so they were before Judah, and the ambushment was behind them. Jump to Previous Ai Ambush Attack Booty Carry Cattle City Except Jericho Livestock Plunder Prey Secret Spoil Stationed Surprise Thereof YourselvesJump to Next Ai Ambush Attack Booty Carry Cattle City Except Jericho Livestock Plunder Prey Secret Spoil Stationed Surprise Thereof YourselvesJoshua 8 1. God encourages Joshua3. The plan whereby Ai was taken 29. The king thereof is hanged 30. Joshua builds an altar 32. writes the law on stones 33. and pronounces the blessings and curses And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king This phrase refers to the complete destruction of Ai, similar to the fate of Jericho. In the conquest of Jericho, the Israelites followed God's specific instructions, leading to the city's walls collapsing (Joshua 6). The destruction of Ai signifies God's continued support for Israel's conquest of Canaan. The king of Ai, like the king of Jericho, represents the leadership and power structure that opposes God's people. The defeat of these kings symbolizes the triumph of God's will over earthly powers. except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves Set up an ambush behind the city Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, appointed by God to succeed Moses and lead the people into the Promised Land. He is a central figure in the conquest of Canaan. 2. Ai A city in Canaan that the Israelites are commanded to conquer. It represents a strategic location in the conquest of the land. 3. Jericho The first city conquered by the Israelites in Canaan, where God performed a miraculous victory. It serves as a precedent for the conquest of Ai. 4. The King of Ai The ruler of Ai, who represents the opposition to God's people and His plans. 5. The Ambush A military strategy commanded by God to ensure victory over Ai, demonstrating divine guidance in battle. Teaching Points Obedience to God's CommandsThe Israelites' success at Ai depended on their obedience to God's specific instructions. This teaches us the importance of following God's guidance in our lives. Divine Strategy God's command to set an ambush shows that He provides not only the goal but also the means to achieve it. We should seek God's wisdom in our plans and decisions. God's Provision Unlike Jericho, where the plunder was devoted to God, at Ai, the Israelites were allowed to keep the plunder. This demonstrates God's provision and blessing when we follow His will. Learning from Past Mistakes The initial defeat at Ai (Joshua 7) due to Achan's sin highlights the need for repentance and correction. We must learn from our failures and seek God's forgiveness and guidance. Trust in God's Promises The victory at Ai reinforces God's promise to give the Israelites the land. We can trust in God's promises and His faithfulness to fulfill them. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 8:2?2. How does Joshua 8:2 demonstrate God's strategy for overcoming challenges in life? 3. What lessons on obedience can we learn from God's instructions in Joshua 8:2? 4. How does Joshua 8:2 connect to God's promises in Deuteronomy 7:24? 5. In what ways can we apply the principle of divine guidance from Joshua 8:2? 6. How does the victory in Joshua 8:2 reflect God's faithfulness to His people? 7. How does Joshua 8:2 justify the destruction of Ai and its inhabitants? 8. What does Joshua 8:2 reveal about God's character and justice? 9. How does the command in Joshua 8:2 align with the concept of a loving God? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 8? 11. Why does the ambush strategy described in Joshua 8:2–22 differ from other accounts of Israelite conquests? 12. What is Ai's significance in the Bible? 13. Why do battles in the Book of Joshua (e.g., Ai’s destruction) not match the archaeological record? 14. How can the total extermination of Ai's inhabitants (Joshua 8:24-25) be reconciled with a just and loving God? What Does Joshua 8:2 Mean And you shall do to Ai and its king• The Lord renews His command to conquer Ai, demonstrating that past failure (Joshua 7) did not cancel His promise (Joshua 1:3-5). • Total defeat of Ai’s leadership mirrors earlier divine mandates to remove opposing kings (Joshua 10:30-33; Deuteronomy 7:1-2), underscoring God’s righteous judgment and Israel’s calling to be set apart (Exodus 23:31-33). • By naming both the city and its king, God reminds Israel that He alone rules over nations (Psalm 47:8) and will not tolerate rebellion against His covenant purposes. as you did to Jericho and its king • God points Joshua back to Jericho (Joshua 6:20-24). Remembered victories build faith for present battles (Psalm 77:11-12). • The comparison highlights that success comes from obedience, not military might (Joshua 6:16-17; 1 Samuel 17:45). • The same standard of judgment applied—showing God’s impartiality (Romans 2:11)—while also confirming that Israel must fully follow divine instruction each time (Numbers 33:55-56). except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves • Unlike Jericho’s devoted booty (Joshua 6:17-19), Ai’s treasure becomes lawful spoil (Deuteronomy 20:14), revealing God’s right to set terms for each battle. • The permission exposes the folly of Achan’s earlier theft; if he had waited, God would have provided abundantly (Proverbs 10:22; Psalm 37:34). • Livestock and goods bolster Israel’s resources for future settlement (Deuteronomy 6:10-12), illustrating God’s practical care for His people (Philippians 4:19). • The shift from “ban” to “blessing” teaches that obedience brings provision, while disobedience brings loss (Joshua 7:11-12; Malachi 3:10-11). Set up an ambush behind the city • God supplies a specific military tactic, reminding Joshua that divine guidance includes detailed strategy (2 Samuel 5:23-24; Judges 20:29-30). • The ambush required coordination and patience, teaching Israel to balance faith with disciplined action (Proverbs 21:31; James 2:17). • Positioning forces “behind” Ai ensured surprise and displayed God’s wisdom above human planning (Isaiah 55:8-9). • The tactic also served as a test of Israel’s willingness to follow precise instructions after the lessons of Jericho and Achan (Joshua 8:8-9). summary Joshua 8:2 reveals a gracious God who restores His people after failure, commands total victory over persistent evil, provides material blessing for obedient hearts, and grants practical strategy for each challenge. The verse underscores that walking in step with the Lord—trusting His promises, submitting to His judgments, and carrying out His specific directions—brings both triumph and provision. (2) Only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take--i.e., the material spoil, not the persons of the inhabitants. (See Joshua 11:14.) Jericho was treated exceptionally, in that the material spoil was made cherem, devoted to destruction, as the thing accursed of God.Verse 2. - Only the spoil thereof. Ai was not solemnly devoted, like Jericho, though (see Deuteronomy 20:16, 17) the Canaanitish people were. Behind it. Joshua was advancing from the southeast. The ambush (אֹרֵב literally, "a lier in wait," here a band of liers in wait, the word itself originally signifying to plait, weave, hence to design) was therefore (ver. 12) on the opposite, or west side of the city. The question which has been raised whether God could rightly command a stratagem seems scarcely to require discussion.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew And you shall doוְעָשִׂ֨יתָ (wə·‘ā·śî·ṯā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make to Ai לָעַ֜י (lā·‘ay) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 5857: Ai -- a Canaanite city and its king וּלְמַלְכָּ֗הּ (ū·lə·mal·kāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 4428: A king as כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר (ka·’ă·šer) Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that you did עָשִׂ֤יתָ (‘ā·śî·ṯā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 6213: To do, make to Jericho לִֽירִיחוֹ֙ (lî·rî·ḥōw) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3405: Jericho -- a city in the Jordan Valley captured by Joshua and its king, וּלְמַלְכָּ֔הּ (ū·lə·mal·kāh) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 4428: A king except that רַק־ (raq-) Adverb Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless you may carry off תָּבֹ֣זּוּ (tā·ḇōz·zū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine plural Strong's 962: To spoil, plunder their plunder שְׁלָלָ֥הּ (šə·lā·lāh) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 7998: A prey, spoil, plunder, booty and livestock וּבְהֶמְתָּ֖הּ (ū·ḇə·hem·tāh) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular Strong's 929: A dumb beast, any large quadruped, animal for yourselves. לָכֶ֑ם (lā·ḵem) Preposition | second person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew Set שִׂים־ (śîm-) Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular Strong's 7760: Put -- to put, place, set an ambush אֹרֵ֛ב (’ō·rêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 693: To lie in wait behind מֵאַחֲרֶֽיהָ׃ (mê·’a·ḥă·re·hā) Preposition-m | third person feminine singular Strong's 310: The hind or following part the city.” לָעִ֖יר (lā·‘îr) Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 5892: Excitement Links Joshua 8:2 NIVJoshua 8:2 NLT Joshua 8:2 ESV Joshua 8:2 NASB Joshua 8:2 KJV Joshua 8:2 BibleApps.com Joshua 8:2 Biblia Paralela Joshua 8:2 Chinese Bible Joshua 8:2 French Bible Joshua 8:2 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 8:2 You shall do to Ai and her (Josh. 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