Joshua 8:23

ΒΆ And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.

And the king {H4428} of Ai {H5857} they took {H8610} alive {H2416}, and brought {H7126} him to Joshua {H3091}.

But they took the king of 'Ai alive and brought him to Y'hoshua.

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.

Commentary

Joshua 8:23 describes a decisive moment in Israel's conquest of the Promised Land: the capture of the king of Ai. This verse marks the culmination of a strategic military maneuver led by Joshua, following a previous, humiliating defeat at the same city.

Context of Joshua 8:23

This verse follows the detailed account of Israel's second attempt to conquer Ai. After their initial defeat (see Joshua 7:5) due to Achan's sin and subsequent judgment, God restored His favor and provided a detailed strategy for a successful ambush (Joshua 8:1-22). The capture of the king signifies the complete triumph over Ai, a significant Canaanite city, and a vital step in the fulfillment of God's promise to give Israel the land. The king's capture alive was for the purpose of a public execution, detailed later in Joshua 8:29, serving as a stark symbol of God's judgment against the inhabitants of Canaan.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Victory and Justice: The capture of the king of Ai underscores God's ultimate victory and justice. After a period of unfaithfulness and defeat, Israel's renewed obedience led to God's intervention and a decisive triumph, demonstrating that God fights for His people when they are in right relationship with Him.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The fate of the king of Ai serves as a powerful reminder of the severe consequences of rebellion against God and His chosen people. It reflects the divine judgment decreed against the Canaanite nations due to their idolatry and wickedness.
  • Joshua's Leadership: Joshua's role in this victory highlights his leadership and obedience to God's commands. He meticulously followed God's strategic plan, leading Israel to success where they had previously failed.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "took alive" in Hebrew is lakad chai (ΧœΦΈΧ›Φ·Χ“ Χ—Φ·Χ™). This emphasizes that the king was not killed in battle but specifically captured alive. This deliberate act was significant, as it allowed for a public display of judgment and a clear demonstration of Israel's complete dominion over Ai, fulfilling the specific instructions given by God for dealing with the defeated enemy.

Practical Application

Joshua 8:23 offers several insights for today. It reminds us that even after spiritual setbacks or failures (like Israel's first defeat at Ai), God offers a path to restoration and victory through repentance and obedience. The complete capture of the king symbolizes the decisive nature of God's triumph over evil and opposition. For believers, this can be an encouragement that God enables us to overcome spiritual battles when we follow His guidance and remain faithful, ultimately leading to the defeat of strongholds in our lives.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Samuel 15:8

    And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

  • Joshua 10:17

    And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah.

  • Revelation 19:20

    And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

  • Joshua 8:29

    And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, [that remaineth] unto this day.
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