Joshua 8 Study Notes

8:23 The capture of the king of Ai was a symbolic act because he had led the defeat of the earlier Israelite army sent out against him. Now his role as a defeated leader contrasted with the victorious role of Joshua.

8:24-27 The destruction of all the inhabitants of Ai fulfilled God’s clear command in v. 2.

8:27 Joshua followed God’s command in v. 2 about the cattle.

8:28 The word Ai (pronounced like eye) means “ruin.” Like Jericho, this defeated city would be a memorial to Israel’s victory. On still . . . today see the note at 4:8-9.

8:29 The focus on the king of Ai in chap. 8 corresponds to that of Rahab at the destruction of Jericho in chap. 6. Rahab was delivered from death because of her faith, whereas the king of Ai was put to death because of his antagonism toward Israel. The king of Ai also compares to Achan, as both were executed by Israel. The hanging of his body exposed it to shame. In Israel it was forbidden to allow a body to remain overnight so exposed (Dt 21:23; Jn 19:31).

8:30-31 Joshua’s construction of an altar on Mount Ebal, north of Shechem, was a fulfillment of what Moses . . . had commanded in Dt 27:5. The burnt offerings and fellowship offerings were the same offerings required in the first law of the altar in Ex 20:24 and in instructions for this gathering on Mount Ebal in Dt 27:6-7.

8:32 Joshua’s copying of the law of Moses was commanded in Dt 27:3. It resembled the actions of the king who had to make his own copy of the law (Dt 17:18).

8:33 In Dt 27:12-13 half of Israel was to stand in front of Mount Gerizim and half in front of Mount Ebal in order to pronounce the blessings and curses for obeying or disobeying the covenant. This account in Joshua included the resident alien as well as the citizen; thus, the entire nation and all who lived with Israel were present and standing around the ark of the Lord’s covenant.

8:34 Joshua represented Israel in both the writing and reading of the covenant with its blessings and curses.

8:35 The perfect obedience of Joshua is underscored. Here again, the totality of Israel is emphasized, including women and dependents as well as the officers. Resident aliens were also included.