King James Version
What Does Joshua 8:25 Mean?
“And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.”
Joshua 8:25 · KJV
Context
23
And the king of Ai they took alive, and brought him to Joshua.
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.
25
And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.
26
For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
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.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAll that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand—This total population figure for Ai is remarkably specific, suggesting official records or eyewitness counting. The Hebrew eleph (אֶלֶף) can mean 'thousand' or 'military unit,' though the narrative context favors literal thousands. Even all the men of Ai clarifies this was complete destruction.
The number's precision demonstrates Scripture's historical reliability. Including women in the count acknowledges that God's judgment fell on the entire corrupt society—children grow into culture-bearers who perpetuate evil (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). While troubling to modern sensibilities, these judgments illustrate sin's devastating consequences and God's intolerance of systematic wickedness. The number also showed Israel that divine vengeance completely avenged their earlier defeat (Joshua 7:5).
The number's precision demonstrates Scripture's historical reliability. Including women in the count acknowledges that God's judgment fell on the entire corrupt society—children grow into culture-bearers who perpetuate evil (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). While troubling to modern sensibilities, these judgments illustrate sin's devastating consequences and God's intolerance of systematic wickedness. The number also showed Israel that divine vengeance completely avenged their earlier defeat (Joshua 7:5).
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
A population of 12,000 fits a small Canaanite city-state of the Late Bronze Age (15th-13th centuries BC). Ai was smaller than Jericho but strategically located near Bethel. The battle occurred circa 1406 BC. Ancient Near Eastern texts commonly record casualty figures, and Joshua's precision here suggests military records kept during the conquest.
Reflection Questions
- How does the specificity of biblical numbers challenge claims that Scripture is merely symbolic or mythological?
- What does complete judgment on Ai teach about the finality of God's wrath for those who die unrepentant?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 14 wordsוַיְהִי֩1 of 14
H1961to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָל2 of 14
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַנֹּ֨פְלִ֜ים3 of 14
“And so it was that all that fell”
H5307to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)
בַּיּ֤וֹם4 of 14
“that day”
H3117a 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
הַהוּא֙5 of 14
H1931he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
אַנְשֵׁ֥י6 of 14
“both of men”
H376a 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)
וְעַד7 of 14
H5704as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אָ֑לֶף11 of 14
“thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
כֹּ֖ל12 of 14
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אַנְשֵׁ֥י13 of 14
“both of men”
H376a 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)
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Joshua 8:25 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to Joshua 8:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge