Joshua 8:12

Authorized King James Version

And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּקַּ֕ח
And he took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#2
כַּֽחֲמֵ֥שֶׁת
about five
five
#3
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#4
אִ֑ישׁ
men
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#5
וַיָּ֨שֶׂם
and set
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
#6
אוֹתָ֜ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#7
אֹרֵ֗ב
them to lie in ambush
to lurk
#8
בֵּ֧ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#9
בֵּֽית
H0
#10
אֵ֛ל
between Bethel
beth-el, a place in palestine
#11
וּבֵ֥ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#12
הָעַ֖י
and Ai
ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine
#13
מִיָּ֥ם
on the west side
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#14
לָעִֽיר׃
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Joshua. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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