Joshua 8:4

4 with these orders: "Hide on the other side of the city, but not too far away from it; be ready to attack.

Joshua 8:4 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 8:4

And he commanded them, saying
At the time he sent them away;

behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, [even] behind the city;
that is, on the west side of it, ( Joshua 8:9 ) ;

go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready;
to enter into it, as soon as the forces are drawn out eastward to meet the army of Israel.

Joshua 8:4 In-Context

2 You are to do to Ai and its king what you did to Jericho and its king, but this time you may keep its goods and livestock for yourselves. Prepare to attack the city by surprise from the rear."

3 So Joshua got ready to go to Ai with all his soldiers. He picked out thirty thousand of his best troops and sent them out at night

4 with these orders: "Hide on the other side of the city, but not too far away from it; be ready to attack.

5 My men and I will approach the city. When the men of Ai come out against us, we will turn and run, just as we did the first time.

6 They will pursue us until we have led them away from the city. They will think that we are running from them, as we did before.