Joshua 8:24
And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword.
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֣י
H1961
וַיְהִ֣י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 27
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כְּכַלּ֣וֹת
had made an end
H3615
כְּכַלּ֣וֹת
had made an end
Strong's:
H3615
Word #:
2 of 27
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
And it came to pass when Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
And it came to pass when Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 27
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 #:
6 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֨י
all the inhabitants
H3427
יֹֽשְׁבֵ֨י
all the inhabitants
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
7 of 27
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
בַּמִּדְבָּר֙
in the wilderness
H4057
בַּמִּדְבָּר֙
in the wilderness
Strong's:
H4057
Word #:
10 of 27
a pasture (i.e., open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
רְדָפ֣וּם
wherein they chased
H7291
רְדָפ֣וּם
wherein they chased
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
12 of 27
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
וַֽיִּפְּל֥וּ
them and when they were all fallen
H5307
וַֽיִּפְּל֥וּ
them and when they were all fallen
Strong's:
H5307
Word #:
14 of 27
to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
כֻלָּ֛ם
H3605
כֻלָּ֛ם
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְפִי
it with the edge
H6310
לְפִי
it with the edge
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
16 of 27
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
חָֽרֶב׃
of the sword
H2719
חָֽרֶב׃
of the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
17 of 27
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
18 of 27
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
תֻּמָּ֑ם
until they were consumed
H8552
תֻּמָּ֑ם
until they were consumed
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
19 of 27
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
וַיָּשֻׁ֤בוּ
returned
H7725
וַיָּשֻׁ֤בוּ
returned
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
20 of 27
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
And it came to pass when Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
And it came to pass when Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
22 of 27
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיַּכּ֥וּ
and smote
H5221
וַיַּכּ֥וּ
and smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
24 of 27
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אֹתָ֖הּ
H853
אֹתָ֖הּ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
The battle of Ai (circa 1406 BC) was Israel's second major conquest after Jericho. The complete destruction followed Deuteronomic warfare laws (Deuteronomy 20:16-18) requiring cherem against Canaanite cities to prevent religious syncretism. Archaeological debates about Ai's location continue, though the biblical account's military detail suggests eyewitness testimony.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Canaan's judgment help us understand God's holy hatred of sin and the seriousness of rebellion?
- In what ways does Christ's bearing divine wrath at the cross satisfy God's justice while offering mercy to repentant sinners?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
When Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai—The phrase 'made an end' (kalah, כָּלָה) means 'brought to completion/finished entirely,' indicating thorough execution of cherem (devoted destruction). Israel pursued fleeing enemies into the wilderness, ensuring none escaped to rally resistance or spread idolatry.
Until they were consumed—This verb echoes God's promise to 'consume' Canaan's inhabitants (Exodus 23:23; Deuteronomy 7:2). Modern readers recoil at such violence, yet these judgments picture God's holy wrath against sin—a wrath ultimately poured on Christ at Calvary. Ai's destruction warned surrounding nations while purging the land for God's dwelling. The sword prefigures final judgment when unrepentant sinners face divine justice (Revelation 19:15, 21).