Original Word: עַי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `iy
Pronunciation: ah-tah-RAH
Phonetic Spelling: (ee)
Definition: a ruin
Meaning: The term "Ai" primarily denotes "a ruin" or "heap of ruins." It is used in the context of a city or place that has been destroyed or laid waste.

Word Origin: Derived from the root עָוָה (aw-vah), meaning "to bend, twist, distort," which can imply destruction or ruin.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: There is no direct Greek equivalent for the Hebrew word עַי (Ai) in the Strong's Greek Concordance, as it is a proper noun specific to the Hebrew text. However, the concept of "ruin" or "destruction" can be related to Greek terms such as καταστροφή (katastrophē • Strong's Greek 2692), which means "overthrow" or "destruction."

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term "Ai" as used in the Hebrew Bible, highlighting its historical, theological, and narrative significance.

Usage: The word "Ai" is used in the Hebrew Bible to refer to a specific city that was conquered and destroyed by the Israelites under Joshua's leadership. It is mentioned in the context of its destruction and serves as a symbol of divine judgment and victory.

Context: • Ai in the Biblical Narrative: Ai is prominently featured in the Book of Joshua. It was a Canaanite city located near Bethel. After the Israelites' initial defeat due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7), they later achieved victory over Ai through a strategic ambush (Joshua 8). The city was completely destroyed, and its king was executed, fulfilling God's command to take possession of the land.
• Symbolic Significance: Ai represents the consequences of disobedience and the importance of following divine instructions. The initial defeat at Ai served as a lesson for the Israelites about the seriousness of sin and the need for communal purity and obedience to God's commands.
• Archaeological and Historical Context: The identification of Ai has been a subject of archaeological interest, with several proposed sites. The narrative of Ai's destruction is significant in understanding the Israelite conquest of Canaan and the theological themes of judgment and redemption.

Word Origin
from avah
Definition
a ruin, heap of ruins
NASB Translation
heap of ruins (3), ruins (2).

עִי noun [masculine] ruin, heap of ruins; — ׳ע absolute Job 30:24, construct Micah 1:6; plural עִיִּין (Aramaic form) Micah 3:12, but עִיִּים in the quotation Jeremiah 26:18, and Psalm 79:1.

heap

From avah; a ruin (as if overturned) -- heap.

see HEBREW avah

לְעִ֥י לְעִיִּֽים׃ לעי לעיים׃ עִיִּ֣ים עִיִּ֣ין עיים עיין ‘î·yîm ‘î·yîn ‘îyîm ‘îyîn iYim iYin lə‘î lə‘îyîm lə·‘î lə·‘î·yîm leI leiYimInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts