Joshua 8:29
And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 32
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעֵ֗ץ
from the tree
H6086
הָעֵ֗ץ
from the tree
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
6 of 32
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
7 of 32
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עֵ֣ת
until eventide
H6256
עֵ֣ת
until eventide
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
8 of 32
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
וּכְב֣וֹא
was down
H935
וּכְב֣וֹא
was down
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
10 of 32
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ֩
and as soon as the sun
H8121
הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ֩
and as soon as the sun
Strong's:
H8121
Word #:
11 of 32
the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement
וַיֹּרִ֧ידוּ
down
H3381
וַיֹּרִ֧ידוּ
down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
14 of 32
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
נִבְלָת֣וֹ
his carcase
H5038
נִבְלָת֣וֹ
his carcase
Strong's:
H5038
Word #:
16 of 32
a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
17 of 32
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָעֵ֗ץ
from the tree
H6086
הָעֵ֗ץ
from the tree
Strong's:
H6086
Word #:
18 of 32
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
וַיַּשְׁלִ֤יכוּ
and cast
H7993
וַיַּשְׁלִ֤יכוּ
and cast
Strong's:
H7993
Word #:
19 of 32
to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)
אוֹתָהּ֙
H853
אוֹתָהּ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 32
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
פֶּ֙תַח֙
it at the entering
H6607
פֶּ֙תַח֙
it at the entering
Strong's:
H6607
Word #:
22 of 32
an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way
הָעִ֔יר
of the city
H5892
הָעִ֔יר
of the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
24 of 32
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וַיָּקִ֤ימוּ
and raise
H6965
וַיָּקִ֤ימוּ
and raise
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
25 of 32
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עָלָיו֙
H5921
עָלָיו֙
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
26 of 32
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
גַּל
heap
H1530
גַּל
heap
Strong's:
H1530
Word #:
27 of 32
something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)
גָּד֔וֹל
thereon a great
H1419
גָּד֔וֹל
thereon a great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
29 of 32
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
30 of 32
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Joshua 7:26And they raised over him a great heap of stones unto this day. So the LORD turned from the fierceness of his anger. Wherefore the name of that place was called, The valley of Achor, unto this day.2 Samuel 18:17And they took Absalom, and cast him into a great pit in the wood, and laid a very great heap of stones upon him: and all Israel fled every one to his tent.
Historical Context
Public display of executed enemies was common in ancient warfare (1 Samuel 31:10), but God's law required burial before nightfall to prevent land defilement. Joshua's careful observance—removing the body at sunset, not leaving it overnight—shows meticulous covenant obedience even in victory. The stone heap at the gate served as a territorial marker and warning to other Canaanite cities.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Joshua's careful obedience to burial laws even for executed enemies demonstrate reverence for God's commands?
- What does the king of Ai's curse prefigure about Christ's substitutionary death on the cross?
- How do visible memorials to God's judgment serve as warnings and witnesses to future generations?
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Analysis & Commentary
The king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide—Hanging the king (תָּלָה, talah) after execution publicly displayed God's judgment on Canaanite leadership. However, as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree directly obeyed Deuteronomy 21:22-23: 'his body shall not remain all night upon the tree... (for he that is hanged is accursed of God).'
The great heap of stones (גַּל־אֲבָנִים, gal-avanim) at the city gate created a permanent witness to God's victory, similar to Achan's memorial (7:26). Paul later applies this hanging curse to Christ: 'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree' (Galatians 3:13). The king of Ai's curse foreshadows Jesus bearing our curse.