Joshua 8:14

Authorized King James Version

And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed, before the plain; but he wist not that there were liers in ambush against him behind the city.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְהִ֞י

H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כִּרְא֣וֹת

H7200

saw

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מֶֽלֶךְ

H4428

And it came to pass when the king

a king

הָעַ֗י

H5857

of Ai

ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine

וַֽיְמַהֲר֡וּ

H4116

it that they hasted

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

וַיַּשְׁכִּ֡ימוּ

H7925

and rose up early

literally, to load up (on the back of man or beast), i.e., to start early in the morning

וַיֵּֽצְא֣וּ

H3318

went out

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אַנְשֵֽׁי

H582

and the men

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

הָעִֽיר׃

H5892

of the city

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

#10

לִקְרַֽאת

H7125

against

an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite)

#11

יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל

H3478

Israel

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

#12

לַֽמִּלְחָמָ֞ה

H4421

to battle

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

#13

ה֧וּא

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#14

וְכָל

H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

#15

עַמּ֛וֹ

H5971

he and all his people

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

#16

לַמּוֹעֵ֖ד

H4150

at a time appointed

properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for

#17

לִפְנֵ֣י

H6440

before

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

#18

הָֽעֲרָבָ֑ה

H6160

the plain

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

#19

וְהוּא֙

H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

#20

לֹ֣א

H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

#21

יָדַ֔ע

H3045

but he wist

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

#22

כִּֽי

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

#23

אֹרֵ֥ב

H693

not that there were liers in ambush

to lurk

#24

ל֖וֹ

#25

מֵאַֽחֲרֵ֥י

H310

against him behind

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

#26

הָעִֽיר׃

H5892

of the city

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 covenant community 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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Joshua Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

What systematic theological implications arise from this verse's treatment of salvation, and how does it contribute to a biblical theology of soteriology and the doctrine of salvation?
In what ways does understanding covenant community in its original context challenge or deepen contemporary Christian thinking about salvation?
How does this verse's literary context within Joshua chapter 8 illuminate its theological significance, and what does this teach us about biblical interpretation?

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