“And all the people, even the people of war that were with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now there was a valley between them and Ai.”
Joshua 8:11 is part of the account of the Israelites’ conquest of the city of Ai. To fully understand its context, it is helpful to review the preceding verses. In Joshua 7, we learn that the Israelites had suffered a defeat at Ai because Achan had violated God’s command by taking some of the devoted things from Jericho. Due to this sin, Israel lost the battle and suffered casualties.
In Joshua 8:1-2, God instructs Joshua on how to proceed. He tells Joshua to take the whole army, including the fighting men, and to not fear or be discouraged. God promises that they will take the city of Ai and its king. He also provides a detailed strategy for the battle.
In verse 3, God commands Joshua to set an ambush behind the city. Joshua follows these instructions, and in verse 9, he sends a select group of soldiers to lie in wait and hide in the assigned location. Meanwhile, Joshua and the rest of the army move toward Ai and camp north of the city, as mentioned in verse 11.
The mention of the valley between the Israelite camp and the city of Ai indicates that there was a natural geographic feature separating the two locations. This valley likely provided a physical barrier between the two groups and possibly served as a strategic advantage for the Israelites.
By setting up their camp on the north side of Ai, the Israelites positioned themselves for the battle. The presence of the entire army, including the warriors, indicates that Joshua followed God’s instructions precisely and involved the full force of the Israelite army to attack Ai.
Joshua 8:11 highlights the Israelites’ obedience and their readiness to carry out God’s command to take the city of Ai. The account demonstrates the importance of following God’s guidance and the significance of thorough preparation in carrying out His plans.
Overall, this verse is part of the narrative of the Israelites’ conquest of the Promised Land, specifically focusing on the battle against Ai and how Joshua strategically positioned the Israelite army before engaging in the battle.
