Joshua 8:25

Authorized King James Version

And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.

Word-by-Word Analysis

וַיְהִי֩

H1961

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

כָל

H3605

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

הַנֹּ֨פְלִ֜ים

H5307

And so it was that all that fell

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

בַּיּ֤וֹם

H3117

that day

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַהוּא֙

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

אַנְשֵׁ֥י

H376

both of 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)

וְעַד

H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

אִשָּׁ֔ה

H802

and women

a woman

שְׁנֵ֥ים

H8147

were twelve

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

#10

עָשָׂ֖ר

H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

#11

אָ֑לֶף

H505

thousand

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

#12

כֹּ֖ל

H3605

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

#13

אַנְשֵׁ֥י

H376

both of 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)

#14

הָעָֽי׃

H5857

of Ai

ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine

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

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 divine revelation 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?
How does this passage contribute to our understanding of from physical deliverance in the Old Testament to spiritual redemption in the New, and what implications does this have for Christian discipleship?
How might the original audience's understanding of divine revelation differ from modern interpretations, and what bridges can be built between ancient meaning and contemporary application?

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