Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 7:3
And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; [and] make not all the people to labor thither; for they [are but] few.
The total population of Ai was about twelve thousand Jos 8:25. It could therefore hardly muster three thousand warriors.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
This was done by the wise contrivance of Divine Providence, that their sin might be punished, and they awakened and reformed, with as little hazard, and mischief, and reproach as might be; for if the defeat of these caused so great a consternation in Joshua, it is easy to guess what dread, and confusion, and despair it would have caused in the people, if a great host had been defeated.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
3. Let not all the people go up, . .. for they are but fewAs the population of Ai amounted totwelve thousand (Jos 8:25), itwas a considerable town; though in the hasty and distant reconnoitremade by the spies, it probably appeared small in comparison toJericho; and this may have been the reason for their proposing sosmall a detachment to capture it.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And they returned unto Joshua, and said unto him, let not all the people go up,…. After they had reconnoitred the place, they came back to their general, and gave it as their opinion, that there was no need for the whole army to go up against the city:
but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; such a number they judged were sufficient to take it:
[and] make not all the people to labour thither; carrying their tents, bearing their armour, and going up hill:
for they [are but] few; the inhabitants of Ai, men and women making but twelve thousand; Jos 8:25.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(3) Make not all the people to labour thither.In these words we see, by a sort of side-glance, the (not unnatural) comment of Israel on the seven days march round Jericho. They thought it useless labour, and were unable to appreciate the lesson which it taught. Again our attention is directed to the peculiar character of the warfare. It was not that kind of war which men would naturally have been disposed to wage. But the narrative is consistent throughout. (See Note on Jos. 2:1.)
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
3. Let not all the people go up The spies set a very low estimate upon the military strength of the city. Disasters often happen to armies from this cause.
For they are but few That is, comparatively. But the character of the few, and their excellent position for defence, were left out of the account. Their numbers were probably underrated also, for after the conquest of the city the slain numbered twelve thousand. Jos 8:25.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘ And they returned to Joshua, and said to him, “Do not let all the people go up, but let about two or three eleph men go up and smite Ai, and do not make all the people toil up to it, for they are but few.” ’
The scouts did not see Ai as a large obstacle. They recommended only sending three units up to deal with it in view of its very small population. It was a long hard climb of over a thousand metres in height (three thousand feet) and over twenty four kilometres (fifteen miles) in distance.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 3. Let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai There was a little presumption in this counsel; Ai was well situated, strong, and guarded by twelve thousand men; so that there was no probability (humanly speaking) of carrying it with two or three thousand men. God, nevertheless, permitted Joshua to listen to this bold piece of advice, and he followed it. Had not this been the case, either the inhabitants of Ai would not have ventured to sally from their city; or if, in going out against the Israelites, they had beaten a more considerable detachment of them, the crime of Achan would have cost the nation too many citizens, and his punishment would have thrown it into too great a consternation.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Jos 7:3 And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; [and] make not all the people to labour thither; for they [are but] few.
Ver. 3. Let not all the people go up. ] But better they had, as it happened, in some respects. God’s holy hand was in it, and his holy will must be done and suffered.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
go up = go toilingly thither.
men = Hebrew. ish. App-14.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
about two: Heb. about 2,000 men, or about 3,000 men, labour. Pro 13:4, Pro 21:25, Luk 13:24, Heb 4:11, Heb 6:11, Heb 6:12, 2Pe 1:5, 2Pe 1:10