Joshua 8:1-2

[1] 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: [2] 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.

What is the context of Joshua 8:1-2?

Ai Destroyed (Joshua 8:1-29 true)
Conquest of Ai (Joshua 8:1-29 true)
The Fall of Ai (Joshua 8:1-29 true)
Ai Is Destroyed (Joshua 8:1-29 true)
The Israelites Defeat Ai (Joshua 8:1-29 true)
The Destruction of Ai (Joshua 8:1-29 true)
The Conquest of Ai (Joshua 8:1-35 true)

What does Joshua 8:1-2 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

In view of Israel"s defeat, God"s encouraging words were necessary to strengthen Joshua"s resolve (cf. Joshua 1:9). God promised to give victory, but He specified the strategy. This time the Israelites could keep the spoil themselves. "You shall take only" ( Joshua 8:2) means, "Only you shall take."