King James Version
Joshua 8:3 in the King James Version says “So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valo...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night.”
Joshua 8:3 · KJV
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:
And thou shalt do to Ai and her king as thou didst unto Jericho and her king: only the spoil thereof, and the cattle thereof, shall ye take for a prey unto yourselves: lay thee an ambush for the city behind it.
So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night.
And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:
And I, and all the people that are with me, will approach unto the city: and it shall come to pass, when they come out against us, as at the first, that we will flee before them,
KJV Study — Public Domain
“arose”
H6965to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
“and all the people”
H5971a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
“to go up”
H5927to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
“thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
“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)
“of valour”
H2428probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
“and sent them away”
H7971to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
“by night”
H3915properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
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 8:3 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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