Joshua 8:4 - 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.

Generated Verse: Joshua 8:4

What does "Joshua 8:4" mean?


Joshua 8:4 describes a key part of Joshua's strategy for capturing the city of Ai. Here's a breakdown of what the verse means:

"He commanded them, saying...": This indicates that Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, is giving direct orders to a specific group of soldiers.

"Behold, you shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city.": This is the core instruction. The selected soldiers are to position themselves in a hidden location (an "ambush") near Ai. Critically, they are to be behind the city. This suggests they are on the opposite side of the city from where Joshua and the main Israelite force will be.

"Don't go very far from the city...": They must be close enough to Ai to respond quickly when Joshua gives the signal. They need to be within striking distance.

"But all of you be ready.": This emphasizes the need for alertness and preparedness. They must be vigilant and prepared to attack at a moment's notice when the main force draws the enemy out.

In essence, the verse describes the setup of a classic military ambush:

A smaller force is hidden near the target.
A larger force approaches the target in a way that will draw out the defenders.
When the defenders emerge to engage the larger force, the hidden force attacks from the rear, catching them off guard.

In the broader context of Joshua 8, Joshua planned to use this ambush to trick the inhabitants of Ai into leaving their city to pursue the main Israelite army. Once the city was empty, the hidden ambush force would enter and capture it.