Joshua 8:12
Joshua 8:12 in Multiple Translations
Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.
And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city.
And he took about five thousand men, and set them in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city.
And taking about five thousand men, he put them in position for a surprise attack on the west side of Ai, between Beth-el and Ai.
He took about five thousand men and had them lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the town.
And hee tooke about fiue thousande men, and set them to lye in waite betweene Beth-el and Ai, on the Westside of the citie.
And he taketh about five thousand men, and setteth them an ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west of the city;
He took about five thousand men, and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
And he took about five thousand men; and set them to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city.
And he had chosen five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Hai, on the west side of the same city:
Then Joshua chose about 5,000 men and told them to go and hide just west of the city, between Ai and Bethel.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 8:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Joshua 8:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּקַּ֕ח
כַּ/חֲמֵ֥שֶׁת
אֲלָפִ֖ים
אִ֑ישׁ
וַ/יָּ֨שֶׂם
אוֹתָ֜/ם
אֹרֵ֗ב
בֵּ֧ין
בֵּֽית
אֵ֛ל
וּ/בֵ֥ין
הָ/עַ֖י
מִ/יָּ֥ם
לָ/עִֽיר
וַ/יִּקַּ֕ח
lâqach
H3947
to take
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
כַּ/חֲמֵ֥שֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
five
Prep | Adj
אֲלָפִ֖ים
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
אִ֑ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
וַ/יָּ֨שֶׂם
sûwm
H7760
to set
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אוֹתָ֜/ם
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
אֹרֵ֗ב
ʼârab
H693
to ambush
V-Qal
בֵּ֧ין
bêyn
H996
between
Prep
בֵּֽית
Bêyth-ʼÊl
H1008
Bethel
N-proper
אֵ֛ל
Bêyth-ʼÊl
H1008
Bethel
N-proper
וּ/בֵ֥ין
bêyn
H996
between
Conj | Prep
הָ/עַ֖י
ʻAy
H5857
Ai
Art | N-proper
מִ/יָּ֥ם
yâm
H3220
West
Prep | N-ms
לָ/עִֽיר
ʻîyr
H5892
excitement
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 8:12
וַ/יִּקַּ֕ח
lâqach
H3947
"to take"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to take or get something, and it is used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to take a wife, to take possession of something, or to receive a gift. For example, in Genesis 2:22, God takes a rib from Adam to create Eve.
Definition: : take 1) to take, get, fetch, lay hold of, seize, receive, acquire, buy, bring, marry, take a wife, snatch, take away 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to take, take in the hand 1a2) to take and carry along 1a3) to take from, take out of, take, carry away, take away 1a4) to take to or for a person, procure, get, take possession of, select, choose, take in marriage, receive, accept 1a5) to take up or upon, put upon 1a6) to fetch 1a7) to take, lead, conduct 1a8) to take, capture, seize 1a9) to take, carry off 1a10) to take (vengeance) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be captured 1b2) to be taken away, be removed 1b3) to be taken, brought unto 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be taken from or out of 1c2) to be stolen from 1c3) to be taken captive 1c4) to be taken away, be removed 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be taken unto, be brought unto 1d2) to be taken out of 1d3) to be taken away 1e) (Hithpael) 1e1) to take hold of oneself 1e2) to flash about (of lightning)
Usage: Occurs in 909 OT verses. KJV: accept, bring, buy, carry away, drawn, fetch, get, infold, [idiom] many, mingle, place, receive(-ing), reserve, seize, send for, take (away, -ing, up), use, win. See also: Genesis 2:15; Genesis 34:17; Exodus 30:23.
כַּ/חֲמֵ֥שֶׁת
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Prep | Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
אֲלָפִ֖ים
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
אִ֑ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
וַ/יָּ֨שֶׂם
sûwm
H7760
"to set"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to put or place something, and is used in many different ways in the Bible, such as to appoint or determine something. It is first used in Genesis to describe God's creation. In the KJV, it is translated as 'appoint' or 'set' in various contexts.
Definition: : make/establish 1) to put, place, set, appoint, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to put, set, lay, put or lay upon, lay (violent) hands on 1a2) to set, direct, direct toward 1a2a) to extend (compassion) (fig) 1a3) to set, ordain, establish, found, appoint, constitute, make, determine, fix 1a4) to set, station, put, set in place, plant, fix 1a5) to make, make for, transform into, constitute, fashion, work, bring to pass, appoint, give 1b) (Hiphil) to set or make for a sign 1c) (Hophal) to be set
Usage: Occurs in 550 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] any wise, appoint, bring, call (a name), care, cast in, change, charge, commit, consider, convey, determine, [phrase] disguise, dispose, do, get, give, heap up, hold, impute, lay (down, up), leave, look, make (out), mark, [phrase] name, [idiom] on, ordain, order, [phrase] paint, place, preserve, purpose, put (on), [phrase] regard, rehearse, reward, (cause to) set (on, up), shew, [phrase] stedfastly, take, [idiom] tell, [phrase] tread down, (over-)turn, [idiom] wholly, work. See also: Genesis 2:8; Leviticus 20:5; 1 Samuel 21:13.
אוֹתָ֜/ם
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
אֹרֵ֗ב
ʼârab
H693
"to ambush"
V-Qal
This verb means to lie in wait or ambush someone, often used to describe a surprise attack. It is used in the Bible to talk about people who are hiding and waiting to attack. The word can also mean to lay a trap for someone.
Definition: 1) to lie in wait, ambush, lurk 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie in wait 1a2) ambush (participle as subst) 1b) (Piel) ambushers, liers-in-wait (pl. participle) 1c) (Hiphil) to lay an ambush
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lie in) ambush(-ment), lay (lie in) wait. See also: Deuteronomy 19:11; Judges 20:38; Psalms 10:9.
בֵּ֧ין
bêyn
H996
"between"
Prep
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
בֵּֽית
Bêyth-ʼÊl
H1008
"Bethel"
N-proper
Bethel, meaning house of God, is a significant location in the Bible, particularly in the book of Genesis. It was a place of worship and sacrifice, where Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven. The name Bethel signifies its importance as a spiritual site, where God was believed to dwell.
Definition: § Bethel = "house of God" a place in south country of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: Beth-el. See also: Genesis 12:8; 1 Samuel 30:27; Jeremiah 48:13.
אֵ֛ל
Bêyth-ʼÊl
H1008
"Bethel"
N-proper
Bethel, meaning house of God, is a significant location in the Bible, particularly in the book of Genesis. It was a place of worship and sacrifice, where Jacob had a vision of a ladder reaching to heaven. The name Bethel signifies its importance as a spiritual site, where God was believed to dwell.
Definition: § Bethel = "house of God" a place in south country of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: Beth-el. See also: Genesis 12:8; 1 Samuel 30:27; Jeremiah 48:13.
וּ/בֵ֥ין
bêyn
H996
"between"
Conj | Prep
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
הָ/עַ֖י
ʻAy
H5857
"Ai"
Art | N-proper
Ai means 'heap of ruins', a city in Palestine east of the Jordan River, mentioned in the Bible as part of the Ammonites' territory. It appears in the book of Joshua and is associated with Heshbon. The city's name reflects its history of destruction.
Definition: § Ai or Aija or Aiath or Hai = "heap of ruins" a city of the Ammonites on the east of the Jordan and apparently attached to Heshbon
Usage: Occurs in 34 OT verses. KJV: Ai, Aija, Aijath, Hai. See also: Genesis 12:8; Joshua 8:20; Isaiah 10:28.
מִ/יָּ֥ם
yâm
H3220
"West"
Prep | N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
לָ/עִֽיר
ʻîyr
H5892
"excitement"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a city or town, often a place with a wall or a watchman. It is used to describe a settlement or encampment, like the city of Ai, which is mentioned in the book of Joshua. The word is used to identify specific locations in the Bible.
Definition: 1) excitement, anguish 1a) of terror
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: Ai (from margin), city, court (from margin), town. See also: Genesis 4:17; Deuteronomy 3:6; Joshua 14:12.
Study Notes — Joshua 8:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Joshua 8:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Joshua 8:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 8:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 8:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 8:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 8:12
- Cambridge Bible on Joshua 8:12
- Barnes' Notes on Joshua 8:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 8:12
Context — The Conquest of Ai
10Joshua got up early the next morning and mobilized his men, and he and the elders of Israel marched before them up to Ai.
11Then all the troops who were with him marched up and approached the city. They arrived in front of Ai and camped to the north of it, with the valley between them and the city.
12Now Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.
13So 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 went into the valley. 14When the king of Ai saw the Israelites, he hurried out early in the morning with the men of the city to engage them 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.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joshua 8:2–3 | And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.” So Joshua and the whole army set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor and sent them out at night |
Joshua 8:12 Summary
[Joshua 8:12 tells us that Joshua set up an ambush with about five thousand men between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city. This was a clever military strategy, but it also shows Joshua's trust in the Lord's plan, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. Just like Joshua, we can trust that the Lord has a plan for our lives, even when we don't understand what's going on, and that He will give us the strength we need to overcome any challenge, as promised in Philippians 4:13.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Joshua choose to set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai?
Joshua chose to set up an ambush between Bethel and Ai to gain a strategic advantage over the city of Ai, as seen in Joshua 8:12, by using the geography of the land to his benefit, much like the Lord used the walls of Jericho to bring about their defeat in Joshua 6:20.
How many men did Joshua take with him to set up the ambush?
According to Joshua 8:12, Joshua took about five thousand men with him to set up the ambush, which was a significant portion of his army, demonstrating his trust in the Lord's plan as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6.
What was the significance of the location of the ambush to the west of the city?
The location of the ambush to the west of the city, as stated in Joshua 8:12, allowed the Israelites to attack the city from behind, while the main army engaged the enemy from the front, as seen in Joshua 8:13-14, much like the Lord's promise to be our rear guard in Isaiah 52:12.
How does this verse relate to the overall conquest of Canaan?
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the conquest of Canaan, as the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, are fulfilling the Lord's command to take possession of the land, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:8 and Joshua 1:3-4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can trust the Lord's plan for my life, even when it doesn't make sense?
- How can I use my unique situation and circumstances to bring glory to the Lord, just as Joshua used the geography of the land to his advantage?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to be still and wait for the Lord's timing, rather than rushing ahead with my own plans?
- How can I apply the principle of trusting in the Lord's strength, rather than my own, in my daily life?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 8:12
And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush,.... This was another ambush, as both Jarchi and Kimchi observe; and the latter adds, perhaps he set them nearer the city than the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 8:12
And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 8:12
And he took, or, rather, but he had taken, to wit, out of the said number of thirty thousand, for this is added by way of recapitulation and further explication of what is said in general, .
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 8:12
Joshua 8:12 And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.Ver. 12. Between Bethel and Ai.] Those two confederate cities, in woods and coverts, probably in the wilderness of Bethaven.
Ellicott's Commentary on Joshua 8:12
(12) And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush . . .—Is this a fresh body, or only a portion of the thirty thousand mentioned in Joshua 8:3? It is, of course, possible that the body of thirty thousand, having closed the communications between Bethel and Ai on the first night, and finding that they were more numerous than was necessary, had rejoined Joshua when he came up, and that a small body of five thousand was told off for the service on the next day. But after carefully studying the natural features of the position by the Ordnance map (of which I have been able to enjoy the advantage at this point of my work), I am inclined to think that both forces were employed—the thirty thousand and the five thousand—and for distinct services. There are two ravines, which come to a head between Beitin (Bethel) and et-Tel (Ai). The body of men who were to fire the town of Ai were posted in the one nearer to Ai. The larger body, whose business was to prevent any interference from the side of Bethel, were posted in the ravine next to that city, where they had been from the first. If it be remembered, as was before observed, that Joshua was attacking a fortified town, which was protected in flank by another town, and that it was necessary to be prepared for all contingencies from the first, the meaning of his movements will be apparent.
Cambridge Bible on Joshua 8:12
12. he took] Or rather, had taken.between Beth-el and Ai] Comp. ch. Joshua 7:2 with Genesis 12:8; Genesis 13:3.
Barnes' Notes on Joshua 8:12
He took - Rather “had taken;” the words refer to the ambuscade which Joshua had detached during the previous night.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 8:12
12. And he took about five thousand — The Hebrew has no separate form for the pluperfect tense, hence we are justified in rendering an indefinite past tense by the pluperfect when the context