King James Version

What Does Joshua 8:29 Mean?

Joshua 8:29 in the King James Version says “And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide : and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they shou... — study this verse from Joshua chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Joshua 8:29 · KJV


Context

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.

30

Then Joshua built an altar unto the LORD God of Israel in mount Ebal,

31

As Moses the servant of the LORD commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses, an altar of whole stones, over which no man hath lift up any iron: and they offered thereon burnt offerings unto the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Joshua's careful obedience to burial laws even for executed enemies demonstrate reverence for God's commands?
  2. What does the king of Ai's curse prefigure about Christ's substitutionary death on the cross?
  3. How do visible memorials to God's judgment serve as warnings and witnesses to future generations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 32 words
וְאֶת1 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֶ֧לֶךְ2 of 32

And the king

H4428

a king

הָעַ֛י3 of 32

of Ai

H5857

ai, aja or ajath, a place in palestine

תָּלָ֥ה4 of 32

he hanged

H8518

to suspend (especially to gibbet)

עַל5 of 32
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָעֵ֗ץ6 of 32

from the tree

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

עַד7 of 32
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

עֵ֣ת8 of 32

until eventide

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הָעָ֑רֶב9 of 32
H6153

dusk

וּכְב֣וֹא10 of 32

was down

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ֩11 of 32

and as soon as the sun

H8121

the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e., (architectural) a notched battlement

צִוָּ֨ה12 of 32

commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ13 of 32

Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

וַיֹּרִ֧ידוּ14 of 32

down

H3381

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

אֶת15 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

נִבְלָת֣וֹ16 of 32

his carcase

H5038

a flabby thing, i.e., a carcase or carrion (human or bestial, often collectively); figuratively, an idol

מִן17 of 32
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעֵ֗ץ18 of 32

from the tree

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וַיַּשְׁלִ֤יכוּ19 of 32

and cast

H7993

to throw out, down or away (literally or figuratively)

אוֹתָהּ֙20 of 32
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶל21 of 32
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

פֶּ֙תַח֙22 of 32

it at the entering

H6607

an opening (literally), i.e., door (gate) or entrance way

שַׁ֣עַר23 of 32

of the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הָעִ֔יר24 of 32

of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וַיָּקִ֤ימוּ25 of 32

and raise

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עָלָיו֙26 of 32
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

גַּל27 of 32

heap

H1530

something rolled, i.e., a heap of stone or dung (plural ruins), by analogy, a spring of water (plural waves)

אֲבָנִ֣ים28 of 32

of stones

H68

a stone

גָּד֔וֹל29 of 32

thereon a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

עַ֖ד30 of 32
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֥וֹם31 of 32

that remaineth unto this day

H3117

a 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

הַזֶּֽה׃32 of 32
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that


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 8:29 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 8:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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