King James Version
Joshua 8:27 in the King James Version says “Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD w...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“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
And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.
For Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai.
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.
And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation unto this day.
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.
KJV Study — Public Domain
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
“Only the cattle”
H929properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
“of that city”
H5892a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
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
“Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
“unto themselves according unto the word”
H1697a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
“of the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
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.
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.
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