Joshua 8:3

¶ So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night.

So Joshua {H3091} arose {H6965}, and all the people {H5971} of war {H4421}, to go up {H5927} against Ai {H5857}: and Joshua {H3091} chose out {H977} thirty {H7970} thousand {H505} mighty {H1368} men {H376} of valour {H2428}, and sent them away {H7971} by night {H3915}.

So Y'hoshua set out for 'Ai with all the people who could fight. Y'hoshua chose 30,000 men, the most courageous of his troops, and sent them out by night.

So Joshua and the whole army set out to attack Ai. Joshua chose 30,000 mighty men of valor and sent them out at night

So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up to Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand men, the mighty men of valor, and sent them forth by night.

Commentary

Context

Joshua 8:3 marks a crucial turning point in Israel's conquest of Canaan. It follows directly after a significant setback: Israel's initial defeat at Ai, which was due to Achan's sin of taking devoted things from Jericho (Joshua 7). After Achan's judgment, God renewed His covenant promises and gave Joshua a new, detailed strategy for taking Ai (Joshua 8:1-2). This verse describes Joshua's immediate and obedient response to God's command, initiating the new military campaign.

Key Themes

  • Renewed Obedience and Leadership: Joshua, having dealt with the sin in the camp, immediately rises to lead. His actions here demonstrate a commitment to following God's specific instructions, even after a previous failure. This highlights the importance of obedience for divine blessing in battle and life.
  • Strategic Warfare: Unlike the first, ill-fated attack, this assault on Ai is meticulously planned. Joshua's selection of "thirty thousand mighty men of valour" and sending them "by night" points to a sophisticated military strategy involving an ambush, as detailed in the subsequent verses of Joshua 8. This showcases God's guidance in military tactics.
  • Divine Second Chances: The verse implicitly speaks to God's grace in offering Israel another opportunity to conquer Ai. Despite their previous failure, God provides a clear path to victory, emphasizing His faithfulness to His covenant promises when His people repent and obey.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "mighty men of valour" (Hebrew: gibbor chayil) is significant. Gibbor denotes a strong, powerful, or valiant person, often a warrior. Chayil can mean strength, wealth, or capability. Together, it describes individuals of proven strength, courage, and substance, emphasizing that Joshua chose Israel's elite, most capable fighters for this critical mission. This term is also used elsewhere to describe prominent figures like Gideon (Judges 6:12) or David's warriors.

Practical Application

Joshua 8:3 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Learning from Failure: Israel's initial defeat at Ai was a painful lesson. This verse shows that setbacks, when addressed with repentance and obedience, can lead to new opportunities for success under God's guidance.
  • Strategic Planning and Diligence: While divine power is paramount, God often works through human effort and wise planning. Joshua's careful selection of troops and nighttime deployment illustrate the importance of diligence and strategy in pursuing God-given goals.
  • Trusting God's Specifics: God gave Joshua precise instructions for the second attack. Similarly, when we seek God's will, paying attention to specific guidance, rather than relying on our own assumptions, is vital for true victory and blessing.

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Cross-References

  • Matthew 25:6 (2 votes)

    And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

  • Matthew 24:50 (2 votes)

    The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for [him], and in an hour that he is not aware of,

  • Matthew 24:39 (2 votes)

    And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (2 votes)

    For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

  • 2 Peter 3:10 (1 votes)

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.