Verse (Click for Chapter) 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. Berean Literal Bible And he commanded them, saying, “Behold, you⁺ shall lie in ambush against the city, from behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, and all of you⁺ 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. Berean Annotated 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. 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. 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: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard Biblewith these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be 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 Versionand 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, Berean Literal Bible And he commanded them, saying, “Behold, you⁺ shall lie in ambush against the city, from behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, and all of you⁺ be ready. 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 BibleAnd 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 BibleAnd 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 1917And 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 Pay attention. Deuteronomy 27:9 Then Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel: “Be silent, O Israel, and listen! This day you have become the people of the LORD your God. Isaiah 28:23 Listen and hear my voice. Pay attention and hear what I say. Joshua 3:9 So Joshua told the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God.” You are to lie in ambush behind the city, Judges 20:29 So Israel set up an ambush around Gibeah. Judges 20:33 So all the men of Israel got up from their places and arrayed themselves at Baal-tamar, and the Israelites in ambush charged from their positions west of Gibeah. 1 Samuel 15:5 Saul came to the city of Amalek and lay in wait in the valley. not too far from it. Exodus 8:28 Pharaoh answered, “I will let you go and sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness, but you must not go very far. Now pray for me.” Judges 9:43 So he took his men, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the fields. When he saw the people coming out of the city, he rose up against them and attacked them. 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.’” All of you must be ready. Ezekiel 38:7 Get ready; prepare yourself, you and all your company gathered around you; you will be their guard. Numbers 32:17 But we will arm ourselves and be ready to go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them into their place. Meanwhile, our little ones will remain in the fortified cities for protection from the inhabitants of the land. Exodus 19:15 “Be prepared for the third day,” he said to the people. “Do not draw near to a woman.” 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. 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 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. 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. Jump to Previous Ambush Carefully City Commanded Commandeth Hold Lie Orders Position Prepared Readiness Ready Rear Secretly Wait YourselvesJump to Next Ambush Carefully City Commanded Commandeth Hold Lie Orders Position Prepared Readiness Ready Rear Secretly Wait 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 with these orders: This phrase indicates a direct command from Joshua, who is leading the Israelites after Moses. The context is the military strategy for capturing Ai, a city in Canaan. Joshua's leadership is characterized by obedience to God's instructions, reflecting the importance of divine guidance in achieving victory. Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready. Persons / Places / Events 1. JoshuaThe leader of the Israelites, who succeeded Moses. He is responsible for leading the Israelites into the Promised Land and executing God's commands for conquering it. 2. Ai A city near Bethel, which the Israelites are commanded to conquer. The previous attempt to capture Ai failed due to disobedience, but this time God provides a strategy for victory. 3. Israelite Warriors The soldiers who are commanded by Joshua to lie in ambush. They play a crucial role in the strategy to capture Ai. 4. Ambush A military tactic used by Joshua as instructed by God. It involves hiding forces to surprise the enemy, demonstrating strategic planning and obedience to divine guidance. 5. God's Command The divine instruction given to Joshua, emphasizing the importance of following God's guidance for success. Teaching Points Obedience to God's StrategyJust as Joshua followed God's specific instructions for the ambush, we must seek and adhere to God's guidance in our lives. Success often requires us to trust in His plans, even when they seem unconventional. Preparation and Readiness The command to "be ready" underscores the importance of preparation in our spiritual lives. We must be vigilant and prepared to act when God calls us to move. Trust in Divine Timing The ambush required patience and precise timing. Similarly, we must trust in God's timing for events in our lives, knowing that His plans are perfect. Learning from Past Failures The initial failure at Ai due to disobedience serves as a reminder to learn from past mistakes and seek God's guidance for future endeavors. Community and Cooperation The success of the ambush depended on the cooperation of the Israelite warriors. In our spiritual journey, working together with fellow believers strengthens our ability to fulfill God's purposes. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 8:4?2. How does Joshua 8:4 demonstrate the importance of strategic planning in spiritual battles? 3. What can we learn from Joshua's leadership approach in Joshua 8:4? 4. How does Joshua 8:4 connect to Ephesians 6:11 about spiritual warfare? 5. In what ways can we apply Joshua's obedience in Joshua 8:4 today? 6. How does Joshua 8:4 encourage reliance on God's guidance for victory? 7. How does Joshua 8:4 reflect God's strategy in warfare? 8. What does Joshua 8:4 reveal about divine guidance in battle? 9. How does the ambush in Joshua 8:4 align with God's justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 8? 11. What is the significance of Joshua and Caleb's story? 12. Why does the ambush strategy described in Joshua 8:2–22 differ from other accounts of Israelite conquests? 13. Where is the archaeological evidence supporting the complete destruction of Ai (Joshua 8:28)? 14. What is Ai's significance in the Bible? What Does Joshua 8:4 Mean Pay attention.“Pay attention” (Joshua 8:4) is Joshua’s first command, passed on from the Lord’s own strategy (Joshua 8:1–2). • God calls His people to listen carefully before acting. Israel’s earlier defeat at Ai (Joshua 7) traces back to acting without seeking God’s voice. • Throughout Scripture, victory is tied to attentive obedience—see Joshua 1:7-8, where success depends on doing “all that is written.” Proverbs 4:1 urges, “Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction,” and James 1:22 reminds believers to be doers, not mere hearers. • By beginning with “Pay attention,” Joshua underscores that spiritual alertness precedes military effectiveness. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. God gives a precise tactic—an ambush southwest of Ai, close enough to strike yet concealed (Joshua 8:9). • This shows the Lord’s sovereignty over both strategy and outcome. Like the ambush at Gibeah (Judges 20:29) and David’s flank attack on the Philistines (2 Samuel 5:23-25), God often works through practical plans executed in faith. • Israel must trust that unconventional methods are still God-honoring when He commands them. Proverbs 21:31 balances preparedness and reliance: “The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.” • A literal reading affirms that God directed the specific placement—“behind the city, not too far”—highlighting His intimate involvement in every detail of His people’s battles. All of you must be ready. Readiness is communal. No soldier may lag behind; the entire force must be poised for the moment God signals. • Spiritual parallels abound: Ephesians 6:13 calls believers to “take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand.” 1 Peter 5:8 adds, “Be alert and of sober mind.” • Unity matters. At Jericho every Israelite marched (Joshua 6:3); at Ai every ambusher had to rise together. Divide-and-conquer tactics do not work against a people walking in step with God (Philippians 1:27). • Readiness involves watchfulness (Luke 12:35-36), discipline (1 Corinthians 9:25-27), and willingness to act instantly when God’s timing arrives. summary Joshua 8:4 emphasizes attentive obedience, strategic faith, and collective readiness. When God’s people listen closely, follow His exact instructions, and stand prepared together, He turns former defeat into decisive victory. (4-8) Joshua's general plan of operations is stated in these verses. The following verses explain how it was worked out.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 Links Joshua 8:4 NIVJoshua 8:4 NLT Joshua 8:4 ESV Joshua 8:4 NASB Joshua 8:4 KJV Joshua 8:4 BibleApps.com Joshua 8:4 Biblia Paralela Joshua 8:4 Chinese Bible Joshua 8:4 French Bible Joshua 8:4 Catholic Bible OT History: Joshua 8:4 He commanded them saying Behold you shall (Josh. 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