Joshua 8:23
Joshua 8:23 in Multiple Translations
But they took the king of Ai alive and brought him to Joshua.
And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
But the king of Ai they made prisoner, and took him to Joshua.
Only the king of Ai was captured alive, and he was brought before Joshua.
And the King of Ai they tooke aliue, and brought him to Ioshua.
and the king of Ai they caught alive, and bring him near unto Joshua.
They captured the king of Ai alive, and brought him to Joshua.
And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
And they took the king of the city of Hai alive, and brought him to Josue.
Then they seized the king of Ai and brought him to Joshua.
Berean Amplified Bible — Joshua 8:23
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 8:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֶת
מֶ֥לֶךְ
הָ/עַ֖י
תָּ֣פְשׂוּ
חָ֑י
וַ/יַּקְרִ֥בוּ
אֹת֖/וֹ
אֶל
יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
מֶ֥לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
הָ/עַ֖י
ʻAy
H5857
Ai
Art | N-proper
תָּ֣פְשׂוּ
tâphas
H8610
to capture
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
חָ֑י
chay
H2416
alive
Adj
וַ/יַּקְרִ֥בוּ
qârab
H7126
to present
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
אֹת֖/וֹ
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM | Suff
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ
Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
H3091
Joshua
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Joshua 8:23
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
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.
מֶ֥לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
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.
תָּ֣פְשׂוּ
tâphas
H8610
"to capture"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
To capture or seize something, like in 1 Kings 13:4, where a prophet grabs the king's altar. It means to take hold of or grasp something firmly.
Definition: 1) to catch, handle, lay hold, take hold of, seize, wield 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lay hold of, seize, arrest, catch 1a2) to grasp (in order to) wield, wield, use skilfully 1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be arrested, be caught, be taken, captured 1c) (Piel) to catch, grasp (with the hands)
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: catch, handle, (lay, take) hold (on, over), stop, [idiom] surely, surprise, take. See also: Genesis 4:21; Jeremiah 2:8; Psalms 10:2.
חָ֑י
chay
H2416
"alive"
Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
וַ/יַּקְרִ֥בוּ
qârab
H7126
"to present"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3mp
To approach or come near someone or something, often with a sense of purpose or intention, like Moses approaching the burning bush in Exodus 3:5. This word can also mean to bring someone or something near, as in presenting an offering to God.
Definition: : come/approach 1) to come near, approach, enter into, draw near 1a) (Qal) to approach, draw near 1b) (Niphal) to be brought near 1c) (Piel) to cause to approach, bring near, cause to draw near 1d) (Hiphil) to bring near, bring, present
Usage: Occurs in 263 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) approach, (cause to) bring (forth, near), (cause to) come (near, nigh), (cause to) draw near (nigh), go (near), be at hand, join, be near, offer, present, produce, make ready, stand, take. See also: Genesis 12:11; Leviticus 22:22; 1 Samuel 10:21.
אֹת֖/וֹ
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.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ
Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ
H3091
"Joshua"
N-proper
Joshua was a leader in the Bible, first mentioned in Ezra 2:2, who helped the Israelites return from exile. His name means Jehovah is salvation, and he is also known as Jeshua in some parts of the Bible. He was a key figure in the conquest of Canaan.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Ezr.2.2; son of: Jehozadak (H3087); father of: Joiakim (H3113); also called Jeshua at Ezr.2.2; 3.2,8; 4.3; 5.2; 1x12.1,7,10,26; § Joshua or Jehoshua = "Jehovah is salvation" 1) son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan 2) a resident of Beth-shemesh on whose land the Ark of the Covenant came to a stop after the Philistines returned it 3) son of Jehozadak and high priest after the restoration 4) governor of Jerusalem under king Josiah who gave his name to a gate of the city of Jerusalem
Usage: Occurs in 199 OT verses. KJV: Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua. Compare H1954 (הוֹשֵׁעַ), H3442 (יֵשׁוּעַ). See also: Exodus 17:9; Joshua 9:15; Zechariah 6:11.
Study Notes — Joshua 8:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Conquest of Ai
21When Joshua and all Israel saw that the men in ambush had captured the city and that smoke was rising from it, they turned around and struck down the men of Ai.
22Meanwhile, those in the ambush came out of the city against them, and the men of Ai were trapped between the Israelite forces on both sides. So Israel struck them down until no survivor or fugitive remained.
23But they took the king of Ai alive and brought him to Joshua.
24When Israel had finished killing all the men of Ai who had pursued them into the field and wilderness, and when every last one of them had fallen by the sword, all the Israelites returned to Ai and put it to the sword as well. 25A total of twelve thousand men and women fell that day—all the people of Ai.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 15:8 | He captured Agag king of Amalek alive, but devoted all the others to destruction with the sword. |
| 2 | Joshua 10:17 | And Joshua was informed: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.” |
| 3 | Revelation 19:20 | But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. |
| 4 | Joshua 8:29 | He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening, and at sunset Joshua commanded that they take down the body from the tree and throw it down at the entrance of the city gate. And over it they raised a large pile of rocks, which remains to this day. |
Joshua 8:23 Summary
This verse tells us that the Israelites spared the life of the king of Ai and brought him to Joshua, showing that even in the midst of war and conflict, God is in control and has a plan. Just like the Israelites had to trust in God's plan to defeat the city of Ai, we can trust in God's sovereignty over our own lives, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. As we read this verse, we can reflect on the ways we are trying to hold onto control or power, and instead, surrender our lives to God's authority, just as the king of Ai was brought before Joshua, and remember that our ultimate authority is God, not human leaders, as stated in Romans 13:1-4.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Israelites spare the life of the king of Ai?
The Bible does not explicitly state why the king of Ai was spared, but it may be because Joshua wanted to confront him or use him as an example, as seen in Joshua 8:29 where the king is later executed and hung on a tree, fulfilling the curse described in Deuteronomy 21:23.
Is this verse saying that taking prisoners of war is always the right thing to do?
This verse is not promoting the idea of taking prisoners of war as a general principle, but rather it is a specific historical event, and as seen in Deuteronomy 20:16-18, the Israelites were sometimes instructed to destroy their enemies completely, while in other cases, like in Joshua 8:23, they were to spare certain individuals for specific reasons.
How does this verse relate to the concept of showing mercy to one's enemies?
This verse can be seen as an example of showing mercy, as the king of Ai was spared initially, but as seen in Proverbs 21:1, the king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, and ultimately, God is the one who decides the fate of individuals and nations, and as the Israelites were acting as God's agents of judgment, their actions were in line with His will, as described in Romans 13:1-4.
What can we learn from the fact that the king of Ai was brought to Joshua?
This act of bringing the king to Joshua may symbolize the transfer of authority from the king of Ai to Joshua, highlighting God's sovereignty over all nations, as stated in Psalm 24:1, and reminding us that our ultimate authority is God, not human leaders.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can surrender my own 'kingdom' to God's authority, just like the king of Ai was brought before Joshua?
- How can I balance the idea of showing mercy to my enemies with the need to stand firm against evil, as seen in this verse and in Ephesians 6:10-18?
- In what ways am I trying to hold onto control or power in my own life, rather than surrendering it to God, as the king of Ai was forced to do?
- What are some areas where I need to trust in God's sovereignty, just as the Israelites trusted in God's plan to defeat the city of Ai?
Gill's Exposition on Joshua 8:23
And the king of Ai they took alive,.... They spared him, and reserved him for a more shameful death: and brought him to Joshua; their general; delivering him into his hands as his prisoner, to do
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Joshua 8:23
And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua. The king of Ai they took alive - to be reserved for a more ignominious death, as a greater criminal in God's sight than his subjects.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Joshua 8:23
Reserving him to a peculiar and more ignominious punishment, for the terror of the other kings, who were the chief causes of all that opposition and disturbance which Israel met with in gaining the possession of the Promised Land.
Trapp's Commentary on Joshua 8:23
Joshua 8:23 And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.Ver. 23. And the king of Ai they took alive.] His preservation was but a reservation to a more solemn execution: so the beast and false prophet were cast alive into the fiery lake, when the remnant were slain with the sword. Potentes potenter torquebuntur.
Whedon's Commentary on Joshua 8:23
23. And the king of Ai they took alive — Kings were anciently spared in battle, either to grace the triumph of the victor, or for the accomplishment of some political end, or, as in this case, for a
Sermons on Joshua 8:23
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Revelation) the Banishment of Satan by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher begins by quoting a passage from the Bible about the Spirit of the Lord being upon him to preach good tidings to the meek. He then talks about the key |
|
Discipline and Blessing Part 2 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the illogical premise that creation can exist without a creator. He argues that children are being taught this illogical premise from an ear |
|
|
(Revelation) the Day of Vengeance Fully Come by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the events leading up to the day of judgment as described in the book of Revelation. He highlights the battle of Armageddon, the judgment of |
|
Upon His Head Were Many Crowns by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher describes a scene where the four and twenty elders and the four beasts worship God on His throne. They praise Him by saying "Hallelujah!" and a voice f |
|
Hell by Francis Turretin | Francis Turretin delves into the topic of Hell and Eternal Death, affirming the existence of hell and its punishments, which include eternal torment with the devils for the wicked |
|
Is God Through With the Jew? by Denis Lyle | Denis Lyle preaches about the prophecy of the seventy weeks of Daniel, emphasizing that it was written to help us understand God's wonderful plan for the Jews. Despite some believi |
|
The Wicked Leaders of the Apostate Forces at the End of the Age-the Antichrist by Arno Clemens Gaebelein | Arno Clemens Gaebelein delves into the detailed prophecies of the Bible regarding the rise of wicked leaders in the end times, including the revived Roman Empire, the personal Anti |