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12 Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel (house of God) and Ai (heap of ruins), to the west of the city. 13 So the forces were stationed with the main camp to the north of the city and the rear guard to the west of the city. And that night Joshua (YHWH saves) went into the valley. 14 When the king of Ai (heap of ruins) saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them (he wrestles with God) in battle at an appointed place overlooking the Arabah. But he did not know that an ambush had been set up against him behind the city. 15 Joshua (YHWH saves) and all Israel (he wrestles with God) let themselves be beaten back before them, and they fled toward the wilderness. 16 Then all the men of Ai were summoned to pursue them, and they followed Joshua (YHWH saves) and were drawn away from the city. 17 Not a man was left in Ai (heap of ruins) or Bethel (house of God) who did not go out after Israel (he wrestles with God), leaving the city wide open while they pursued Israel. Joshua 8:12-17, Berean Annotated Bible. Public domain.
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