The Meaning of Joshua 8:4 Explained

Joshua 8:4

KJV: 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:

YLT: and commandeth them, saying, 'See, ye are liers in wait against the city, at the rear of the city, ye go not very far off from the city, and all of you have been prepared,

Darby: And he commanded them, saying, See, ye shall be in ambush against the city, behind the city: go not very far from the city, and be all of you ready.

ASV: And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in ambush against the city, behind the city; go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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: 

What does Joshua 8:4 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 8:4 mean?

And he commanded them saying behold you shall lie in ambush against the city behind the city not do go far from the city very but be all of you ready
וַיְצַ֨ו אֹתָ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר רְ֠אוּ אַתֶּ֞ם אֹרְבִ֤ים לָעִיר֙ מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י הָעִ֔יר אַל־ תַּרְחִ֥יקוּ מִן־ הָעִ֖יר מְאֹ֑ד וִהְיִיתֶ֥ם כֻּלְּכֶ֖ם נְכֹנִֽים

וַיְצַ֨ו  And  he  commanded 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: צָוָה  
Sense: to command, charge, give orders, lay charge, give charge to, order.
לֵאמֹ֗ר  saying 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
רְ֠אוּ  behold 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine plural
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
אֹרְבִ֤ים  shall  lie  in  ambush 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: אָרַב  
Sense: to lie in wait, ambush, lurk.
לָעִיר֙  against  the  city 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י  behind 
Parse: Preposition-m
Root: אַחַר 
Sense: after the following part, behind (of place), hinder, afterwards (of time).
הָעִ֔יר  the  city 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
תַּרְחִ֥יקוּ  do  go  far 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect, second person masculine plural
Root: רָחַק  
Sense: to be or become far, be or become distant, be removed, go far away.
הָעִ֖יר  the  city 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine singular
Root: עִיר 
Sense: excitement, anguish.
מְאֹ֑ד  very 
Parse: Adverb
Root: מְאֹד  
Sense: exceedingly, much subst.
וִהְיִיתֶ֥ם  but  be 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine plural
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
כֻּלְּכֶ֖ם  all  of  you 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine plural
Root: כֹּל  
Sense: all, the whole.
נְכֹנִֽים  ready 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine plural
Root: כּוּן 
Sense: to be firm, be stable, be established.