Joshua 8:4
New International Version
with these orders: “Listen carefully. You are to set an ambush behind the city. Don’t go very far from it. All of you be on the alert.

New Living Translation
with these orders: “Hide in ambush close behind the town and be ready for action.

English Standard Version
And he commanded them, “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you remain ready.

Berean Standard Bible
with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready.

King James Bible
And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:

New King James Version
And he commanded them, saying: “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.

New American Standard Bible
He commanded them, saying, “See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.

NASB 1995
He commanded them, saying, “See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.

NASB 1977
And he commanded them, saying, “See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he commanded them, saying, “See, you are going to ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.

Amplified Bible
He commanded them, saying, “Listen closely, you are going to lie in wait and ambush the city from behind it. Do not go very far away from the city, but all of you be ready.

Christian Standard Bible
He commanded them, “Pay attention. Lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it, and all of you be ready.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He commanded them: “Pay attention. Lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it, and all of you be ready.

American Standard Version
And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city; go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:

English Revised Version
And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
with these orders: "Set an ambush behind the city. Don't go very far away from the city. Everyone must be ready.

Good News Translation
with these orders: "Hide on the other side of the city, but not too far away from it; be ready to attack.

International Standard Version
telling them, "Pay attention now! You are to set up an ambush around the city. Don't go very far from the city, and all of you remain on alert.

Majority Standard Bible
with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready.

NET Bible
He told them, "Look, set an ambush behind the city. Don't go very far from the city; all of you be ready!

New Heart English Bible
He commanded them, saying, "Look, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:

World English Bible
He commanded them, saying, “Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Don’t go very far from the city, but all of you be ready.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and commands them, saying, “See, you are ones lying in wait against the city, at the rear of the city, you do not go very far off from the city, and all of you have been prepared,

Young's Literal Translation
and commandeth them, saying, 'See, ye are liers in wait against the city, at the rear of the city, ye go not very far off from the city, and all of you have been prepared,

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will command them, saying. See, ye lie in wait against the city, behind the city: ye shall not be far off from the city greatly, and be ye all of you prepared:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And commanded them, saying: Lay an ambush behind the city: and go not very far from it: and be ye all ready.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he instructed them, saying: “Set an ambush behind the city. You shall withdraw not far away, and let everyone be prepared.

New American Bible
with these orders: “See that you ambush the city from the rear. Do not be very far from the city. All of you must be ready.

New Revised Standard Version
with the command, “You shall lie in ambush against the city, behind it; do not go very far from the city, but all of you stay alert.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he commanded them, saying. Behold, when you shall lie in wait against the city, from behind it, do not go very far from the city, but all of you be ready;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he commanded them and he said to them: “See when you lie in ambush against the city from behind the city, you shall not go very far from the city, and be ready, all of you
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he commanded them, saying: 'Behold, ye shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city; go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he charged them, saying, Do ye lie in ambush behind the city: do not go far from the city, and ye shall all be ready.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Conquest of Ai
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 4with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready. 5Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them.…

Cross References
Judges 20:29-34
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. ...

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 7:12
So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, “Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the field, thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive and enter the city.’”

Genesis 14:15
During the night, Abram divided his forces and routed Chedorlaomer’s army, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus.

1 Samuel 15:5
Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley.

1 Chronicles 14:14-16
So David again inquired of God, who answered him, “Do not march up after them, but circle around 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 out to battle, because this will mean that God has gone out before you to strike the camp of the Philistines.” / So David did as God had commanded him, and they struck down the army of the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

2 Chronicles 13:13
Now Jeroboam had sent troops around to ambush from the rear, so that while he was in front of Judah, the ambush was behind them.

Exodus 17:9-10
So Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on the hilltop with the staff of God in my hand.” / Joshua did as Moses had instructed him and fought against the Amalekites, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Numbers 31:3-5
So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them. / Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.” / So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war.

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.

Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Luke 21:20-22
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.

Acts 23:21
Do not let them persuade you, because more than forty men are waiting to ambush him. They have bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they have killed him; they are ready now, awaiting your consent.”

Romans 16:19
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

1 Corinthians 10:11
Now these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come.


Treasury of Scripture

And he commanded them, saying, Behold, you shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be you all ready:

lie in wait

Joshua 8:16
And all the people that were in Ai were called together to pursue after them: and they pursued after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city.

Judges 9:25
And the men of Shechem set liers in wait for him in the top of the mountains, and they robbed all that came along that way by them: and it was told Abimelech.

Judges 20:29,33,36
And Israel set liers in wait round about Gibeah…

go not

Ecclesiastes 7:19
Wisdom strengtheneth the wise more than ten mighty men which are in the city.

Ecclesiastes 9:16
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.

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Joshua 8
1. God encourages Joshua
3. 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 he commanded them
This phrase indicates a direct order from Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, who is acting under divine guidance. The Hebrew root for "commanded" is צָוָה (tsavah), which implies a strong directive or charge. This reflects Joshua's role as a military leader and a servant of God, emphasizing obedience and discipline among the Israelites. Historically, this command is part of a larger strategy to conquer Ai, demonstrating the importance of leadership and divine strategy in achieving victory.

saying, 'Behold
The word "Behold" is translated from the Hebrew הִנֵּה (hinneh), which serves as an attention-grabbing term, urging the listeners to pay close attention to the instructions that follow. It underscores the significance of the message and the need for the Israelites to be vigilant and attentive to God's plan. This word often precedes important revelations or commands in Scripture, highlighting its importance in the narrative.

you shall lie in ambush
The strategy of lying in ambush is a tactical maneuver that involves stealth and surprise. The Hebrew word for "ambush" is אָרַב (arab), which conveys the idea of lying in wait. This tactic reflects the wisdom and cunning required in warfare, as well as the reliance on God's guidance for success. Biblically, it illustrates the theme of God using unconventional means to achieve His purposes, teaching the Israelites to trust in His plans.

against the city, behind the city
This phrase specifies the location of the ambush, indicating a strategic positioning that would catch the inhabitants of Ai off guard. The repetition of "city" emphasizes the focus on Ai as the target of God's judgment and the Israelites' conquest. Historically, cities in ancient Canaan were fortified, making such tactics necessary for victory. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God granting His people victory over seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

Do not go very far from it
This instruction highlights the need for proximity and readiness. The Hebrew phrase suggests staying close enough to respond quickly when the time is right. It underscores the importance of obedience and precision in following God's instructions. In a spiritual sense, it reminds believers to remain close to God's presence and guidance, ready to act according to His will.

and all of you be ready
The call to readiness is a recurring biblical theme, emphasizing vigilance and preparedness. The Hebrew root for "ready" is כּוּן (kun), which means to be established or prepared. This command reflects the necessity for the Israelites to be spiritually and physically prepared for the task at hand. It serves as a reminder for Christians to be spiritually alert and prepared for the challenges and opportunities God places before them, trusting in His timing and provision.

(4-8) Joshua's general plan of operations is stated in these verses. The following verses explain how it was worked out.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
with these orders:
וַיְצַ֨ו (way·ṣaw)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

“Pay attention.
רְ֠אוּ (rə·’ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 7200: To see

You
אַתֶּ֞ם (’at·tem)
Pronoun - second person masculine plural
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

are to lie in ambush
אֹרְבִ֤ים (’ō·rə·ḇîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 693: To lie in wait

behind
מִן־ (min-)
Preposition
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the city,
לָעִיר֙ (lā·‘îr)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

too
מְאֹ֑ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

far
תַּרְחִ֥יקוּ (tar·ḥî·qū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 7368: To be or become far or distant

from it.
הָעִ֔יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

All of you
כֻּלְּכֶ֖ם (kul·lə·ḵem)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine plural
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

must be
וִהְיִיתֶ֥ם (wih·yî·ṯem)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

ready.
נְכֹנִֽים׃ (nə·ḵō·nîm)
Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3559: To be erect


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OT History: Joshua 8:4 He commanded them saying Behold you shall (Josh. Jos)
Joshua 8:3
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