Joshua 8:9

9 Then Joshua sent them away. They went to the place where they had planned to hide. They hid in a place west of Ai. It was between Bethel and Ai. But Joshua spent that night with his men.

Joshua 8:9 Meaning and Commentary

Joshua 8:9

Joshua therefore sent them forth
The thirty thousand chosen men:

and they went to lie in ambush;
as they were ordered, ( Joshua 8:2 ) :

and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai;
for as Ai was on the east of Bethel, ( Joshua 7:2 ) . Bethel must be on the west of Ai, as Jarchi notes:

but Joshua lodged that night among the people;
the main body of the army, to direct them in the affair of war, how they should behave the next day, when they came to fight; and to inspire them with courage and confidence, that they might not be afraid, because of their having been smitten before by this people, so Ben Gersom; or rather that he and they might be ready in the morning to march towards Ai, as Jarchi and Kimchi.

Joshua 8:9 In-Context

7 come out of your hiding place. Take over the city. The LORD your God will hand it over to you.

8 When you have taken it, set it on fire. Do what the LORD has commanded. Make sure you obey my orders."

9 Then Joshua sent them away. They went to the place where they had planned to hide. They hid in a place west of Ai. It was between Bethel and Ai. But Joshua spent that night with his men.

10 Early the next morning Joshua brought his men together. He and the leaders of Israel marched in front of them to Ai.

11 The whole army that was with him marched up to the city. They stopped in front of it. They set up camp north of Ai. There was a valley between them and the city.