Joshua 7:3

3 And they returned to Joshua, and said to him, Let not all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and take the city by siege: carry not up thither the whole people, for are few.

Joshua 7:3 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 7:3

And they returned unto Joshua, and said unto him, let not all
the people go up
After they had reconnoitred the place, they came back to their general, and gave it as their opinion, that there was no need for the whole army to go up against the city:

but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai;
such a number they judged were sufficient to take it:

[and] make not all the people to labour thither;
carrying their tents, bearing their armour, and going up hill:

for they [are but] few;
the inhabitants of Ai, men and women making but twelve thousand; ( Joshua 8:25 ) .

Joshua 7:3 In-Context

1 But the children of Israel committed a great trespass, and purloined of the accursed thing; and Achar the son of Charmi, the son of Zambri, the son of Zara, of the tribe of Juda, took of the accursed thing; and the Lord was very angry with the children of Israel.

2 And Joshua sent men to Gai, which is by Baethel, saying, Spy out Gai: and the men went up and spied Gai.

3 And they returned to Joshua, and said to him, Let not all the people go up, but let about two or three thousand men go up and take the city by siege: carry not up thither the whole people, for are few.

4 And there went up about three thousand men, and they fled from before the men of Gai.

5 And the men of Gai slew of them to the number of thirty-six men, and they pursued them from the gate, and destroyed them from the steep hill; and the heart of the people was alarmed and became as water.