Joshua 8:2

2 And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.”

Joshua 8:2 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 8:2

And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst to Jericho
and her king
Burn the one and slay the other:

only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a
prey unto yourselves;
which they were not allowed to do at Jericho:

lay thee an ambush for the city behind it;
at the west side of it: some have called in question the lawfulness of the ambush, but, as this was appointed by the Lord, there is no room for it.

Joshua 8:2 In-Context

1 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.

2 And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set up an ambush behind the city.”

3 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

4 with these orders: “Pay attention. You are to lie in ambush behind the city, not too far from it. All of you must be ready.

5 Then I and all the troops with me will advance on the city. When they come out against us as they did the first time, we will flee from them.