Joshua 8:1
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֤ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 29
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 29
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
7 of 29
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֵּחָ֔ת
not neither be thou dismayed
H2865
תֵּחָ֔ת
not neither be thou dismayed
Strong's:
H2865
Word #:
8 of 29
properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear
עִמְּךָ֗
H5973
עִמְּךָ֗
Strong's:
H5973
Word #:
10 of 29
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
אֵ֚ת
H853
אֵ֚ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
12 of 29
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַמּ֔וֹ
all the people
H5971
עַמּ֔וֹ
all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
13 of 29
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
of war
H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה
of war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
14 of 29
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וְק֖וּם
with thee and arise
H6965
וְק֖וּם
with thee and arise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
15 of 29
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עֲלֵ֣ה
go up
H5927
עֲלֵ֣ה
go up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
16 of 29
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
רְאֵ֣ה׀
see
H7200
רְאֵ֣ה׀
see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
18 of 29
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
נָתַ֣תִּי
I have given
H5414
נָתַ֣תִּי
I have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
19 of 29
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְיָֽדְךָ֗
into thy hand
H3027
בְיָֽדְךָ֗
into thy hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
20 of 29
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
24 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמּ֔וֹ
all the people
H5971
עַמּ֔וֹ
all the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
25 of 29
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
26 of 29
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עִיר֖וֹ
and his city
H5892
עִיר֖וֹ
and his city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
27 of 29
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
Cross References
Joshua 1:9Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.Deuteronomy 7:18Thou shalt not be afraid of them: but shalt well remember what the LORD thy God did unto Pharaoh, and unto all Egypt;Deuteronomy 1:21Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.Deuteronomy 31:8And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.Joshua 6:2And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.Isaiah 43:2When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
Historical Context
Following the defeat at Ai (7:1-5), Israel executed judgment on Achan and his household (7:24-26), restoring covenant purity. The name "Ai" (הָעַי, ha'ai) means "the ruin" or "heap of ruins," likely referring to an earlier Bronze Age city. Archaeological excavations at et-Tell (identified by many with Ai) show occupation gaps, though this identification remains debated. Some scholars propose Ai was a military outpost of Bethel.
The strategy of feigned retreat reflects common ancient Near Eastern military tactics, as documented in Egyptian and Mesopotamian records. Joshua's plan demonstrates that faith does not eliminate wise planning; rather, God uses human means to accomplish His purposes. Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (visible from Ai's vicinity) would soon become the setting for covenant renewal (8:30-35), fulfilling Moses' command in Deuteronomy 27.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's encouragement after failure demonstrate His covenant faithfulness when we experience setbacks due to sin?
- What does the prophetic perfect tense ("I have given") teach us about resting in God's promises before seeing their fulfillment?
- How does this passage balance divine sovereignty (God's gift) with human responsibility (military action)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
Following the devastating defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin (chapter 7), God graciously renews His promise to Joshua. The divine command "Fear not, neither be thou dismayed" uses two Hebrew terms: al-tira (אַל־תִּירָא, "do not fear") addresses emotional dread, while al-techath (אַל־תֵּחָת, "do not be dismayed") addresses loss of courage or shattering of resolve. This dual reassurance acknowledges the psychological trauma of defeat while redirecting focus to divine sovereignty.
The phrase "I have given" (natati, נָתַתִּי) employs the prophetic perfect tense, expressing future victory as already accomplished fact from God's perspective. This grammatical construction appears throughout Joshua, emphasizing that Yahweh's promises are certain despite present circumstances. The comprehensive list—"king... people... city... land"—indicates total conquest, leaving nothing outside God's gift.
Significantly, God commands Joshua to take "all the people of war" this time, contrasting with the previous failed assault using only a portion of the army (7:3-4). This teaches that presumption (acting without full obedience) differs from faith (acting on God's explicit command). God's sovereign grace in providing another opportunity demonstrates the covenant faithfulness central to Reformed theology.