Joshua 8:25

And [so] it was, [that] all that fell that day, both of men and women, [were] twelve thousand, [even] all the men of Ai.

And so it was, that all that fell {H5307} that day {H3117}, both of men {H376} and women {H802}, were twelve {H8147}{H6240} thousand {H505}, even all the men {H582} of Ai {H5857}.

Twelve thousand men and women fell that day, everyone in 'Ai.

A total of twelve thousand men and women fell that day—all the people of Ai.

And all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.

Commentary

Joshua 8:25 records the devastating defeat of the city of Ai at the hands of the Israelites, totaling twelve thousand casualties. This verse marks the culmination of Israel's second attempt to conquer Ai, a pivotal moment in their conquest of Canaan.

Context of Joshua 8:25

This verse follows a dramatic turn of events for the Israelites. Their initial attempt to conquer Ai resulted in a humiliating defeat and the loss of thirty-six men, not due to military weakness, but because of Achan's sin of taking devoted things from Jericho. After Achan's judgment, God restored His favor and provided a detailed strategy for a second attack on Ai, involving an elaborate ambush (Joshua 8:1-2). Joshua meticulously followed these divine instructions, leading to the complete victory described in this verse. The total destruction of Ai, including its inhabitants, was part of the divine command of cherem, or 'devotion to destruction,' common in ancient Near Eastern warfare but uniquely applied by God for the purification of the land for Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Justice: The destruction of Ai serves as a powerful testament to God's judgment against the wickedness of the Canaanite nations. It underscores that God, in His sovereignty, brings justice upon those who persist in sin and oppose His will.
  • Obedience Leads to Victory: In stark contrast to the first failure at Ai, this overwhelming victory demonstrates the direct correlation between Israel's obedience to God's specific commands and their success. When they aligned their actions with God's will, divine power was unleashed on their behalf, illustrating a principle seen throughout the Bible, such as in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 regarding blessings for obedience.
  • God's Strategic Wisdom: The detailed plan for Ai, involving a feigned retreat and an ambush, showcases God's perfect strategy. It teaches that God's ways are higher than human ways, and His plans, though sometimes unconventional, lead to guaranteed success when followed faithfully.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "all that fell that day" directly translates the Hebrew indicating those who were killed. The mention of "both of men and women" emphasizes the totality of the judgment, including the entire population of the city, not just the fighting men. The number "twelve thousand" signifies a substantial population for an ancient city-state, highlighting the scale of the victory and the completeness of the divine judgment.

Practical Application

Joshua 8:25 offers several enduring lessons for believers today:

  • The Consequences of Sin and the Path to Restoration: Just as Achan's sin brought defeat, our unconfessed sins can hinder our spiritual progress. However, like Israel's renewed obedience, repentance and alignment with God's will open the door to renewed blessings and victory.
  • Trusting God's Plan: Sometimes God's instructions may seem counter-intuitive or require us to step out of our comfort zones. This account encourages us to trust in God's perfect wisdom and strategy, knowing that His ways lead to ultimate triumph, even in the face of daunting challenges.
  • Understanding God's Holiness and Justice: While we live under grace, this passage reminds us of God's unchanging holiness and His ultimate justice. It prompts us to live in reverence and obedience, recognizing that God is both merciful and just.
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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 20:16

    But of the cities of these people, which the LORD thy God doth give thee [for] an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth:

  • Deuteronomy 20:18

    That they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so should ye sin against the LORD your God.
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