Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Joshua 8:4
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:
4. go not very far from the city ] They would station themselves high up in the Wdy Harith, at no great distance from the city, and between it and Bethel.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
He commanded them; the same party last spoken of, Jos 8:3, even the five thousand mentioned Jos 8:12. This historical-narration seems obscure and intricate, and at first view to make three parties, one of thirty thousand, Jos 8:3; one of five thousand, Jos 8:12, which may seem to be two several ambushes; and a third of all the people, Jos 8:5,11. But if it be more narrowly and considerately observed, it will appear that there are only two parties engaged in the taking of Ai, and but one ambush, as plainly appears by comparing Jos 8:9 (which manifestly speaks of that party which is mentioned Jos 8:3) with Jos 8:12, which speaks only of five thousand, which is justly supposed to be a part of those thirty thousand named Jos 8:3, and that part which was to lie in ambush; unless we will suppose that there were two ambushes, one of thirty thousand, and the other of five thousand, both lying in wait in the same quarter, even between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of Ai, the only place where the ambush lay, as is said both Jos 8:9,12,13, which seems absurd and incredible. And besides, in the execution of this command, there is mention but of one ambush, Jos 8:12-14,19, and they are said to consist only of five thousand, Jos 8:12, and they only take and burn the city, Jos 8:19; so that the other supposed ambush of thirty thousand is perfectly vanished and lost, and did nothing in this work; which also is very improbable. And therefore that thirty thousand, Jos 8:3, are the same who are called the people, and the people of war that were with Joshua, Jos 8:5,11, which is pitched on the north side of Ai, Jos 8:11,13, as the ambush did on the west side; but for any other side of the city, or a third party placed elsewhere about Ai, we read not one word; and therefore it may well be presumed there were no more employed to take it.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
4. behind the cityis rendered(Jos 8:9), “on the west sideof Ai.”
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And he commanded them, saying,…. At the time he sent them away;
behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, [even] behind the city; that is, on the west side of it, Jos 8:9;
go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready; to enter into it, as soon as the forces are drawn out eastward to meet the army of Israel.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(4-8) Joshuas general plan of operations is stated in these verses. The following verses explain how it was worked out.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
4. He commanded them That is, the five thousand who were to form the ambuscade. To these the words from this verse on through Jos 8:8 are addressed. But of course all these plans for the battle were also made known to the rest of the army.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Jos 8:4 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:
Ver. 4. Ye shall lie in wait. ] See Jos 8:2 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Behold. Figure of speech Asteriaaeos. App-6.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
lie in wait: Jos 8:16, Jdg 9:25, Jdg 20:29, Jdg 20:33, Jdg 20:36, 1Sa 15:2, 1Sa 15:5, Act 23:21
go not: Ecc 7:19, Ecc 9:16
Reciprocal: Jos 8:13 – liers in wait 2Ch 13:13 – an ambushment
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8:4 And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye {b} shall lie in wait against the city, [even] behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:
(b) God would not destroy Ai by a miracle, as Jericho, so that other nations would fear the power and policy of his people.