What is the definition of Joshua 8:11? 🙋 🔍
And all the people, [even the people] of war that [were] with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now [there was] a valley between them and Ai.
Explanation:
Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 8:11. It's a really important and dramatic part of the story of Israel’s conquest of Canaan.
Here's what it means in simpler terms:
Basically, Joshua was about to attack the city of Ai.
It's a moment of intense tension and strategic planning.
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“And all the people, [even the people] of war that [were] with him…”
This tells us that there were other groups fighting against Israel – people from neighboring kingdoms who weren’t part of their army. “That were with him” means they were actively opposing them.
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“…went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city…”
This is a very clear description of what happened. The Israelites (and their forces) moved closer to Ai than ever before. They built up and positioned themselves near the city walls.
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"...and pitched on the north side of Ai: now [there was] a valley between them and Ai."
This is where it gets interesting! A valley, or a narrow strip of land, lay between the Israelites and Ai. This valley was 💎exactly💎 what God had planned for.
So, what does this all mean?
It's like God gave Joshua a strategic advantage – he could attack from a position that would be difficult for the enemy. The valley created a natural barrier, making it harder for the enemies to come close enough to launch an assault. It’s a divine plan of protection and defense!
In short, this verse describes a pivotal moment where Joshua's forces positioned themselves to attack Ai, with a strategically placed valley acting as a buffer.
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Do you want me to:
💎 Explain another part of the story?
💎 Provide more context about the historical situation?