Joshua 8:27
Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua.
Original Language Analysis
רַ֣ק
H7535
רַ֣ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
הַבְּהֵמָ֗ה
Only the cattle
H929
הַבְּהֵמָ֗ה
Only the cattle
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
הָעִ֣יר
of that city
H5892
הָעִ֣יר
of that city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
4 of 14
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַהִ֔יא
H1931
הַהִ֔יא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
5 of 14
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּדְבַ֣ר
unto themselves according unto the word
H1697
כִּדְבַ֣ר
unto themselves according unto the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
9 of 14
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
10 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern warfare typically granted victorious armies rights to plunder conquered cities—livestock, goods, precious metals, and captives. God's selective permission here (after Jericho's total ban) would have been a welcome economic boost for Israel's army. The distinction also reinforced the lesson of Achan's judgment: obedience to God's specific commands brings blessing; disobedience brings death.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you discern when God's past commands apply to present situations versus when He gives new instructions?
- What does God's provision of plunder at Ai teach about His care for His people's practical needs?
- How does this contrast with Jericho demonstrate that obedience requires listening, not assuming?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves—Unlike Jericho, where all spoil was herem (devoted to God and banned from personal use), God permitted Israel to plunder Ai's livestock and goods. The phrase according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua (כִּדְבַר יְהוָה אֲשֶׁר צִוָּה אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, kidvar YHWH asher tzivvah et-Yehoshua) points to God's specific instruction in verse 2.
This distinction teaches that God's commands are not arbitrary but purposeful. Jericho's total herem demonstrated God's absolute holiness and Israel's dependence on Him alone. Ai's permitted plunder showed God's provision for His people. The difference between the two cities reveals that obedience requires listening to God's specific instructions, not applying one command universally. Achan's sin was taking what God forbade; Israel's blessing was receiving what God permitted.