TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
KJV (with Strong's)
And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Joshua H3091, Fear H3372 not, neither be thou dismayed H2865: take H3947 all the people H5971 of war H4421 with thee, and arise H6965, go up H5927 to Ai H5857: see H7200, I have given H5414 into thy hand H3027 the king H4428 of Ai H5857, and his people H5971, and his city H5892, and his land H776:
Complete Jewish Bible
ADONAI said to Y'hoshua, "Don't be afraid or fall into despair! Take all the people who can fight with you, set out, and go up to 'Ai; because now I have handed over to you the king of 'Ai, his people, his city and his land.
Berean Standard Bible
Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you, and go up and attack Ai. See, I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.
American Standard Version
And Jehovah said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land;
World English Bible Messianic
The LORD said to Joshua, “Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you, and arise, go up to Ai. Behold, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, with his people, his city, and his land.
Geneva Bible (1599)
After, the Lord saide vnto Ioshua, Feare not, neither bee thou faint hearted: take all the men of warre with thee and arise, go vp to Ai: beholde, I haue giuen into thine hand the King of Ai, and his people, and his citie, and his land.
Young's Literal Translation
And Jehovah saith unto Joshua, `Fear not, nor be affrighted, take with thee all the people of war, and rise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land,
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In the KJVVerse 6,004 of 31,102
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Commentary on Joshua 8 verses 1–2
1 ¶ And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
2 And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.
Israel were very happy in having such a commander as Joshua, but Joshua was more happy in having such a director as God himself; when any difficulty occurred, he needed not to call a council of war who had God so nigh unto him, not only to answer, but even to anticipate, his enquiries. It should seem, Joshua was now at a stand, had scarcely recovered the discomposure he was put into by the trouble Achan gave them, and could not think, without fear and trembling, of pushing forward, lest there should be in the camp another Achan; then God spoke to him, either by vision, as before (Jos 5:1-15), or by the breastplate of judgment. Note, When we have faithfully put away sin, that accursed thing, which separates between us and God, then, and not till then, we may expect to hear from God to our comfort; and God's directing us how to go on in our Christian work and warfare is a good evidence of his being reconciled to us. Observe here,
I. The encouragement God gives to Joshua to proceed: Fear not, neither be thou dismayed, Jos 8:1. This intimates that the sin of Achan, and the consequences of it, had been a very great discouragement to Joshua, and made his heart almost ready to fail. Corruptions within the church weaken the hands, and damp the spirits, of her guides and helpers, more than oppositions from without; treacherous Israelites are to be dreaded more than malicious Canaanites. But God bids Joshua not be dismayed; the same power that keeps Israel from being ruined by their enemies shall keep them from ruining themselves. To animate him, 1. He assures him of success against Ai, tells him it is all his own; but he must take it as god's gift: I have given it into thy hands, which secured him both title and possession, and obliged him to give God the glory of both, Psa 44:3. 2. He allows the people to take the spoil to themselves. Here the spoil was not consecrated to God as that of Jericho, and therefore there was no danger of the people's committing such a trespass as they had committed there. Observe, How Achan who caught at forbidden spoil lost that, and life, and all, but the rest of the people who had conscientiously refrained from the accursed thing were quickly recompensed for their obedience with the spoil of Ai. the way to have the comfort of what God allows us is to forbear what he forbids us. No man shall lose by his self-denial; let God have his dues first, and then all will be clean to us and sure, Kg1 17:13. God did not bring them to these goodly cities, and houses filled with all good things, to tantalize them with the sight of that which they might not touch; but, having received the first-fruits from Jericho, the spoil of Ai, and of all the cities which thenceforward came into their hands, they might take for a prey to themselves.
II. The direction he gives him in attacking Ai. It must not be such a work of time as the taking of Jericho was; this would have prolonged the war too much. Those that had patiently waited seven days for Jericho shall have Ai given them in one day. Nor was it, as that, to be taken by miracle, and purely by the act of God, but now their own conduct and courage must be exercised; having seen God work for them, they must now bestir themselves. God directs him, 1. to take all the people, that they might all be spectators of the action and sharers in the spoil. Hereby God gave him a tacit rebuke for sending so small a detachment against Ai in the former attempt upon it, Jos 7:4. 2. To lay an ambush behind the city; this was a method which perhaps Joshua would not have thought of at this time, if God had not directed him to it; and though now we are not to expect direction, as here, by visions, voices, or oracles, yet, whenever those who are entrusted with public councils take prudent measures for the public good, it must be acknowledged that god puts it into their hears; he that teaches the husbandman discretion no doubt teaches statesman and general.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–2. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Joshua 8:1 marks a profound turning point in Israel's conquest of Canaan, immediately following their humiliating defeat at Ai and the subsequent purging of Achan's sin. In this pivotal moment, the LORD directly addresses Joshua, dispelling his fear and dismay with a powerful declaration of assured victory over Ai. This verse signals God's restoration of His covenant favor and His unwavering commitment to deliver the Promised Land, providing both a fresh command for military action and the foundational promise that the king, people, city, and land of Ai have already been "given" into Israel's hand.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Joshua 8:1 employs several impactful literary devices. Direct Address is prominent, as God speaks personally and intimately to Joshua, signaling a restoration of their direct communication after the breach of covenant in Joshua 7. This personal address underscores the divine initiative in overcoming Israel's despair. The verse is replete with Divine Command, expressed through imperative verbs like "Fear not," "take," "arise," and "go up," highlighting God's absolute authority and Joshua's role as an obedient servant. There is also a significant Repetition or Echo of God's initial commissioning words to Joshua in Joshua 1:9, where God similarly commanded him not to fear or be dismayed. This repetition serves to reinforce God's consistent character and promises, reminding Joshua that despite the recent setback, God's original mandate remains unchanged. Finally, the phrase "I have given into thy hand" functions as a powerful Idiom or Metaphor for assured victory and complete control, emphasizing that the triumph is a divine gift, not merely a human achievement, and that the outcome is already sealed by God's sovereign decree.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Joshua 8:1 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty, even in the face of human failure. It teaches that while sin breaks covenant fellowship and hinders divine blessing, God's redemptive purposes are not ultimately thwarted. Once sin is dealt with through confession and judgment, God is quick to restore and recommission His people. This passage underscores the principle that true victory in spiritual warfare, or in any endeavor, stems from God's prior declaration and empowerment, not from human strength or strategy alone. It highlights the importance of divine assurance in overcoming fear and discouragement, reminding believers that God's promises are firm, and His presence guarantees success when His people walk in obedience.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Joshua 8:1 offers profound encouragement and practical lessons for believers navigating life's challenges. It reminds us that even after significant failures, setbacks, or periods of spiritual discouragement, God's grace and purposes for us remain. Just as Israel's defeat at Ai was linked to unconfessed sin, this passage prompts us to honestly examine our own lives for areas of disobedience or unfaithfulness that might be hindering our spiritual progress or sense of God's presence. The immediate restoration of God's voice and command to Joshua, coupled with the powerful "Fear not, neither be thou dismayed," serves as a divine antidote to our own anxieties and despair. It calls us to move beyond past mistakes, to trust in God's unfailing presence and power, and to embrace His renewed call to action. Our true strength and success come from His divine assurance and our humble obedience to His commands, knowing that He has already secured the victory for us in Christ. This verse invites us to lay down our fears and anxieties, pick up our spiritual mandate, and step forward in the confidence of a God who has already declared the outcome.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of God telling Joshua "Fear not, neither be thou dismayed" again, given He said it in Joshua 1:9?
Answer: The repetition of "Fear not, neither be thou dismayed" (Joshua 1:9) is highly significant. In Joshua 1, it was a foundational charge for a new leader embarking on an immense, daunting task—the conquest of Canaan. Here, in Joshua 8:1, it's a specific antidote to a profound crisis of faith and despair. Joshua and Israel had just experienced a humiliating defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:4-5) and the severe judgment for Achan's sin (Joshua 7:25). Their confidence was shattered, and they likely felt God had abandoned them. The repetition serves as a powerful reminder that despite their failure, God's presence, promises, and power remain unchanged. It's a re-affirmation of His covenant faithfulness and a direct address to the specific fear and discouragement caused by their recent setback, demonstrating God's compassionate restoration.
Why did God command Joshua to "take all the people of war" for the second attempt at Ai, when only a smaller force was sent initially?
Answer: The command to "take all the people of war" (Joshua 8:1) for the second assault on Ai contrasts sharply with the initial, overconfident deployment of only 3,000 men (Joshua 7:3-4). This shift serves multiple purposes. First, it emphasizes that the victory is not to be attributed to human strength or strategy alone, but to God's comprehensive plan involving the entire nation's obedience and participation. Second, it underscores the severity of the previous lesson: God's commands must be followed precisely, and sin must be purged for success. The initial defeat demonstrated that even a small enemy could overcome Israel if God's favor was withheld due to sin. Third, it was integral to God's specific military strategy for Ai, which involved a complex ambush (Joshua 8:4-8) requiring a large force for both the feigned retreat and the actual attack. Finally, it could symbolize a renewed corporate commitment and unity after the divisive impact of Achan's sin, reinforcing that the entire nation was now aligned with God's will.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Joshua 8:1 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Just as God reassured Joshua after a devastating defeat and the purging of sin, so too does God, through Christ, offer ultimate reassurance and victory over the greatest defeat—sin and death. Where Achan's sin brought judgment and separation, Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice (Hebrews 9:26) dealt with sin once and for all, making possible our reconciliation with God. We, like Joshua, are often dismayed by our failures and the spiritual battles we face, but the resurrected Christ declares to us, "Fear not, for I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). The "given into thy hand" promise to Joshua foreshadows the ultimate triumph of Christ, who disarmed the powers and authorities and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Colossians 2:15). Through faith in Him, we are not merely conquerors but "more than conquerors" (Romans 8:37), inheriting a spiritual "promised land" of abundant life and eternal communion with God. Our victory over sin, fear, and spiritual enemies is not based on our strength or past performance, but on Christ's finished work and His ongoing intercession for us as our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16). He is the true Joshua, leading His people into their eternal inheritance.