King James Version
What Does Joshua 8:27 Mean?
“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.”
Joshua 8:27 · KJV
Context
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.
28
And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.
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.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryOnly 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.
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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural 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.
Reflection Questions
- 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?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 14 wordsרַ֣ק1 of 14
H7535properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
הַבְּהֵמָ֗ה2 of 14
“Only the cattle”
H929properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
הָעִ֣יר4 of 14
“of that city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
הַהִ֔יא5 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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל8 of 14
“Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
כִּדְבַ֣ר9 of 14
“unto themselves according unto the word”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֔ה10 of 14
“of the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 14
H834who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶת13 of 14
H853properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
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 8:27 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 8:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge