Joshua 8:8

And it shall be, when ye have taken the city, [that] ye shall set the city on fire: according to the commandment of the LORD shall ye do. See, I have commanded you.

And it shall be, when ye have taken {H8610} the city {H5892}, that ye shall set {H3341} the city {H5892} on fire {H784}: according to the commandment {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} shall ye do {H6213}. See {H7200}, I have commanded {H6680} you.

When you have captured the city, you are to set it on fire; do according to what ADONAI has said. Those are your orders."

And when you have taken the city, set it on fire. Do as the LORD has commanded! See, I have given you orders.”

And it shall be, when ye have seized upon the city, that ye shall set the city on fire; according to the word of Jehovah shall ye do: see, I have commanded you.

Commentary

Joshua 8:8 is a pivotal verse in the account of Israel's second attempt to conquer the city of Ai, following their humbling defeat in the first encounter. Here, Joshua relays the Lord's explicit instructions for the total destruction of Ai, emphasizing divine authority and the necessity of complete obedience.

Context

This verse is part of the detailed battle plan given by God to Joshua for the capture of Ai. After the previous defeat at Ai, which was a direct result of Achan's sin and disobedience (see Joshua 7:1), God had restored His favor and provided a precise strategy for victory. The instructions in Joshua 8:1-7 detail an ambush, and verse 8 specifically commands what is to be done once the city is taken: "set the city on fire." This act was part of the divine judgment against the inhabitants of Canaan, who were steeped in idolatry and wickedness, and served to prevent Israel from being corrupted by their practices. It also signifies the concept of cherem (or herem), the complete devotion to destruction of certain cities and their contents to the Lord, with nothing to be taken as spoil.

Key Themes

  • Divine Command and Obedience: The phrase "according to the commandment of the LORD" is central, highlighting that this act of destruction was not arbitrary but a direct divine mandate. It underscores the critical importance of Israel's unwavering obedience to God's instructions for their success and spiritual purity.
  • Judgment and Consequence: The burning of Ai is a stark demonstration of God's righteous judgment against the Canaanites' deep-seated sin and idolatry. It serves as a reminder of the severe consequences for nations that reject God's moral law.
  • Restoration and Renewed Favor: Following Israel's repentance and cleansing from Achan's sin, God provides a clear path to victory, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant people when they return to obedience. This act confirms God's renewed presence and blessing among them.
  • Total Devotion: The command to burn the city, leaving nothing behind, symbolizes a complete devotion to God's will and a rejection of personal gain from the conquered land. This contrasts sharply with Achan's covetousness.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "commandment" here is mitzvah (ΧžΦ΄Χ¦Φ°Χ•ΦΈΧ”), which denotes an authoritative instruction or precept. Joshua's reiteration, "See, I have commanded you," reinforces his role as God's chosen leader, delivering the divine will directly to the people. The verb "set... on fire" (Χ©ΦΈΧ‚Χ¨Φ·Χ£, saraph) implies a complete and thorough burning, signifying total destruction and purification.

Practical Application

Joshua 8:8 teaches us the profound importance of complete obedience to God's revealed will, even when His commands are difficult to understand or execute. Just as Israel learned that disobedience brings defeat, so too does our spiritual success hinge on heeding God's Word. The narrative also reminds us that God's judgments are just, and His commands are often for our protection and purity, safeguarding us from spiritual corruption. It calls us to a posture of total surrender and devotion to God, prioritizing His purposes above personal desires or material gain, trusting that His ways are always best.

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Cross-References

  • Joshua 1:9

    Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • Joshua 1:16

    ΒΆ And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go.

  • 2 Samuel 13:28

    Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon's heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

  • Judges 4:6

    And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, [saying], Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

  • Joshua 8:28

    And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, [even] a desolation unto this day.

  • Joshua 6:24

    And they burnt the city with fire, and all that [was] therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.
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