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Joshua 7:2

King James Version (KJV)

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— D.L. Moody

Joshua 7:2

Verse 2 of 26

Scripture focus

And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which [is] beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.

Joshua 7:2 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Joshua 7:2

Theological / Devotional

Ai. Heb. ‘Ai, “ruin” or “heap.” This city (also known as Hai, by the inclusion of the Hebrew definite article) is spoken of as early as the time of Abraham (Gen. 12:8 ; 13:3).

Beside Beth-aven. This phrase is omitted in the LXX. Chapter 18:12 mentions the wilderness of Beth-aven, and the intent of the statement is probably that Ai is in proximity to the wilderness of Beth-aven.

Go up and view. Literally, “go up and foot,” that is, tramp about the country. The geography of this region shows that there were two chief passes that led from the city of Jericho into central Palestine. The most practicable and direct of these was the one that veered somewhat to the north, and is now known as the Wadi Kelt. This gorge meets another, Wadi Harith, a deep ravine some 8 mi. from the Jordan valley. Somewhere among the hills and ravines a little to the east of the town of Bethel stood the city of Ai.

In a region of hills and valleys the spies could readily advance without being seen.

By SdaBc