The Meaning of Joshua 8:9 Explained

Joshua 8:9

KJV: Joshua therefore sent them forth: and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.

YLT: And Joshua sendeth them away, and they go unto the ambush, and abide between Bethel and Ai, on the west of Ai; and Joshua lodgeth on that night in the midst of the people.

Darby: And Joshua sent them forth; and they went to lie in ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west of Ai. And Joshua lodged that night among the people.

ASV: And Joshua sent them forth; and they went to the ambushment, and abode between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of Ai: but Joshua lodged that night among the people.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Joshua  therefore sent them forth:  and they went  to lie in ambush,  and abode  between Bethel  and Ai,  on the west side  of Ai:  but Joshua  lodged  that night  among  the people. 

What does Joshua 8:9 Mean?

Context Summary

Joshua 8:1-17 - Ai Again Attacked
Now that the evil was put away, the people were assured of victory. "I have given," etc. But the assurance of faith is not inconsistent with the call for action: "Arise, go up." Though he was thus secure of victory, Joshua adopted such measures as his soldier-training suggested. Notice the place which our preparations should occupy. Not to shut God out, but to make the pathway along which His help may travel.
The restrictions as to the spoil which had been in force and which had led to Achan's undoing were now removed. God often tests us before allowing us to enjoy. Certain injunctions or prohibitions may be given to prove us; but are removed when our lesson is learned, Deuteronomy 8:2.
Up the long, desolate pass Israel marched. There they could see Achan's tent, and there the scenes of their recent defeat. Their hearts were chastened. In all humility and faith they marched forward, and they were not ashamed, Joel 2:26. [source]

Chapter Summary: Joshua 8

1  God encourages Joshua
3  The plan whereby Ai was taken
29  The king thereof is hanged
30  Joshua builds an altar
32  writes the law on stones
33  and pronounces the blessings and curses

What do the individual words in Joshua 8:9 mean?

Therefore sent them out Joshua and they went to lie in ambush and stayed between in Bethel and Ai on the west side of Ai but lodged Joshua night that among the people
וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֣ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ אֶל־ הַמַּאְרָ֔ב וַיֵּשְׁב֗וּ בֵּ֧ין בֵּֽית־ אֵ֛ל וּבֵ֥ין הָעַ֖י מִיָּ֣ם לָעָ֑י וַיָּ֧לֶן יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ בַּלַּ֥יְלָה הַה֖וּא בְּת֥וֹךְ הָעָֽם

וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֣ם  Therefore  sent  them  out 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular, third person masculine plural
Root: שָׁלַח  
Sense: to send, send away, let go, stretch out.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ  Joshua 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יְהֹושֻׁעַ  
Sense: son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan.
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙  and  they  went 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
הַמַּאְרָ֔ב  lie  in  ambush 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַאֲרָב  
Sense: ambush, (hunter’s) blind.
וַיֵּשְׁב֗וּ  and  stayed 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: יָשַׁב 
Sense: to dwell, remain, sit, abide.
בֵּ֧ין  between 
Parse: Preposition
Root: בַּיִן 
Sense: between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between.
אֵ֛ל  Bethel 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: בֵּית־אֵל  
Sense: ancient place and seat of worship in Ephraim on border of Benjamin, identified with Luz (former name).
הָעַ֖י  Ai 
Parse: Article, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: עַי 
Sense: a city lying east of Bethel and beside Bethaven near Jericho and the 2nd city taken on the invasion of Canaan.
מִיָּ֣ם  on  the  west  side 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: יָם  
Sense: sea.
לָעָ֑י  of  Ai 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: עַי 
Sense: a city lying east of Bethel and beside Bethaven near Jericho and the 2nd city taken on the invasion of Canaan.
וַיָּ֧לֶן  but  lodged 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: לוּן 
Sense: to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ  Joshua 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יְהֹושֻׁעַ  
Sense: son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan.
בַּלַּ֥יְלָה  night 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: לַיִל 
Sense: night.
הַה֖וּא  that 
Parse: Article, Pronoun, third person masculine singular
Root: הוּא 
Sense: he, she, it.
הָעָֽם  the  people 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.