Reference: Ai
American
Called also Hai, Ge 12:8; Aija, Ne 11:31; and Aiath, Isa 10:28. A royal city of the Canaanites, east of Bethel, near which Abraham once sojourned and built an altar, Ge 12:8; 13:3. It is memorable for Joshua's defeat on account of Achan, and his subsequent victory, Jos 7:2-5; 8:1-29. It was rebuilt, and is mentioned by Isaiah. Its ruins are spoken of by Eusebius and Jerome, but the exact site cannot now be fixed with certainty.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And he moved on from thence towards the hill country, on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, - with Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east, and bulk there an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh.
And he moved on from thence towards the hill country, on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, - with Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east, and bulk there an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh.
And he went his way, by his removals, from the South even as far as to Bethel, - as far as the place where his tent was at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai:
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai which was beside Beth-aven on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them saying, Go up and spy out the land. So the men went up, and spied out Ai. And they returned unto Joshua and said unto him - Let not all the people go up, about two thousand men or three thousand men, can go up and smite Ai, - do not weary the whole people to go thither, for, but few, they are. read more. There went up thither of the people therefore, about three thousand men, - but they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty-six men, and pursued them before the gate as far as the Shebarim, and smote them on the slope, - so that the heart of the people melted and became as water.
Then said Yahweh unto Joshua - Do not fear nor be dismayed, take with thee all the army, 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; so shalt thou do unto Ai and to her king, as thou didst unto Jericho unto her king, save only, the spoil thereof and the cattle thereof, shall ye take as your own prey, - set thee an ambush for the city, behind it. read more. So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up to Ai, - and Joshua chose out thirty thousand men, the mighty men of valour, and sent them forth by night. And he commanded them, saying - See! ye, shall be lying in ambush against the city, behind the city, do not go very far from the city, - so shall ye all be ready. But, I, and all the people who are with me, will draw near unto the city, - and it shall be, when they come out to meet us, as at the first, then will we flee before them; so will they come out after us, until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, Fleeing before us, as at the first! therefore will we flee before them. Then, ye, shall rise up out of the ambush, and take possession of the city, - and Yahweh your God will deliver it into your hand. And it shall be, when ye have seized the city, then shall ye burn the city with fire, according to the word of Yahweh, shall ye do, - see! I have commanded you. So Joshua sent them forth, and they went into ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west of Ai, - but Joshua lodged that night in the midst of the people. And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and mustered the people, - and went up - he and the elders of Israel, before the people, to Ai. And, all the people of war who were with him, went up, and drew near, and came in, right before the city, - and pitched on the north of Ai, with, a valley, between them and Ai. And he took about five thousand men, - and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west of the city. And, when the people had set all the host that was on the north of the city, with the rear thereof on the west of the city, then went Joshua, during the night, into the midst of the valley. And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted, and rose up early, and the men of the city came out to meet Israel for battle, he and all his people, at an appointed time, before the waste plain, - he not knowing that there was an ambush lying in wait for him, behind the city. So then Joshua and all Israel suffered themselves to be smitten before them, - and fled, by the way of the wilderness; and all the people who were in the city were called out to pursue them, - and they pursued Joshua, and so were drawn out away from the city. And there remained not a man, in Ai or Bethel, who had not gone out after Israel, - and they left the city, open, and pursued Israel. Then said Yahweh unto Joshua - Stretch out with the javelin which is in thy hand, towards Ai, for, into thy hand, will I deliver it. So Joshua stretched out with the javelin which was in his hand, towards the city. And, the ambush, rose up quickly, out of their place, and ran, when he stretched out his hand, and entered the city, and captured it, - and hasted, and set the city on fire. And the men of Ai turned behind them, and looked, and lo! the smoke of the city had risen up towards the heavens, and there was in them no strength, to flee this way or that way, - moreover, the people that were fleeing to the wilderness, turned back upon the pursuers. Yea, when, Joshua and all Israel, saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city had risen up, then returned they, and smote the men of Ai. And, the others, came forth out of the city to meet them, so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side, - and they smote them, until there was left them none to remain or to escape. And, the king of Ai, they caught alive, - and brought him near unto Joshua. And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness whither they had pursued them, and all of them had fallen by the edge of the sword until they were consumed, then all Israel returned to Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all who fell that day, both of men and of women, were twelve thousand, - all people of Ai. Now, Joshua, drew not back his hand which he had stretched out with the javelin, - until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Nevertheless, the cattle and the spoil of that city, Israel took as their own prey, - according to the word of Yahweh, which he commanded Joshua. So then Joshua burned Ai, - and made of it an age-abiding heap - a desolation, as it remaineth until this day. And, the king of Ai, hanged he on a tree until eventide, - but, at the going in of the sun, Joshua gave command and they took down his dead body from the tree, and cast it in at the opening of the gate of the city, and raised up over it a great heap of stones - which remaineth until this day.
And, the sons of Benjamin, dwelt from Geba, to Michmas and Aija, and Bethel, and the hamlets thereof:
He hath come in unto Ayyath, Hath passed through Migron, - At Michmash, storeth his baggage:
Easton
ruins.
(1.) One of the royal cities of the Canaanites (Jos 10:1; Ge 12:8; 13:3). It was the scene of Joshua's defeat, and afterwards of his victory. It was the second Canaanite city taken by Israel (Jos 7:2-5; 8:1-29). It lay rebuilt and inhibited by the Benjamites (Ezr 2:28; Ne 7:32; 11:31). It lay to the east of Bethel, "beside Beth-aven." The spot which is most probably the site of this ancient city is Haiyan, 2 miles east from Bethel. It lay up the Wady Suweinit, a steep, rugged valley, extending from the Jordan valley to Bethel.
(2.) A city in the Ammonite territory (Jer 49:3). Some have thought that the proper reading of the word is Ar (Isa 15:1).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And he moved on from thence towards the hill country, on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, - with Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east, and bulk there an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh.
And he went his way, by his removals, from the South even as far as to Bethel, - as far as the place where his tent was at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai:
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai which was beside Beth-aven on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them saying, Go up and spy out the land. So the men went up, and spied out Ai. And they returned unto Joshua and said unto him - Let not all the people go up, about two thousand men or three thousand men, can go up and smite Ai, - do not weary the whole people to go thither, for, but few, they are. read more. There went up thither of the people therefore, about three thousand men, - but they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty-six men, and pursued them before the gate as far as the Shebarim, and smote them on the slope, - so that the heart of the people melted and became as water.
Then said Yahweh unto Joshua - Do not fear nor be dismayed, take with thee all the army, 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; so shalt thou do unto Ai and to her king, as thou didst unto Jericho unto her king, save only, the spoil thereof and the cattle thereof, shall ye take as your own prey, - set thee an ambush for the city, behind it. read more. So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up to Ai, - and Joshua chose out thirty thousand men, the mighty men of valour, and sent them forth by night. And he commanded them, saying - See! ye, shall be lying in ambush against the city, behind the city, do not go very far from the city, - so shall ye all be ready. But, I, and all the people who are with me, will draw near unto the city, - and it shall be, when they come out to meet us, as at the first, then will we flee before them; so will they come out after us, until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, Fleeing before us, as at the first! therefore will we flee before them. Then, ye, shall rise up out of the ambush, and take possession of the city, - and Yahweh your God will deliver it into your hand. And it shall be, when ye have seized the city, then shall ye burn the city with fire, according to the word of Yahweh, shall ye do, - see! I have commanded you. So Joshua sent them forth, and they went into ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west of Ai, - but Joshua lodged that night in the midst of the people. And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and mustered the people, - and went up - he and the elders of Israel, before the people, to Ai. And, all the people of war who were with him, went up, and drew near, and came in, right before the city, - and pitched on the north of Ai, with, a valley, between them and Ai. And he took about five thousand men, - and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west of the city. And, when the people had set all the host that was on the north of the city, with the rear thereof on the west of the city, then went Joshua, during the night, into the midst of the valley. And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted, and rose up early, and the men of the city came out to meet Israel for battle, he and all his people, at an appointed time, before the waste plain, - he not knowing that there was an ambush lying in wait for him, behind the city. So then Joshua and all Israel suffered themselves to be smitten before them, - and fled, by the way of the wilderness; and all the people who were in the city were called out to pursue them, - and they pursued Joshua, and so were drawn out away from the city. And there remained not a man, in Ai or Bethel, who had not gone out after Israel, - and they left the city, open, and pursued Israel. Then said Yahweh unto Joshua - Stretch out with the javelin which is in thy hand, towards Ai, for, into thy hand, will I deliver it. So Joshua stretched out with the javelin which was in his hand, towards the city. And, the ambush, rose up quickly, out of their place, and ran, when he stretched out his hand, and entered the city, and captured it, - and hasted, and set the city on fire. And the men of Ai turned behind them, and looked, and lo! the smoke of the city had risen up towards the heavens, and there was in them no strength, to flee this way or that way, - moreover, the people that were fleeing to the wilderness, turned back upon the pursuers. Yea, when, Joshua and all Israel, saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city had risen up, then returned they, and smote the men of Ai. And, the others, came forth out of the city to meet them, so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side, - and they smote them, until there was left them none to remain or to escape. And, the king of Ai, they caught alive, - and brought him near unto Joshua. And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness whither they had pursued them, and all of them had fallen by the edge of the sword until they were consumed, then all Israel returned to Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all who fell that day, both of men and of women, were twelve thousand, - all people of Ai. Now, Joshua, drew not back his hand which he had stretched out with the javelin, - until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Nevertheless, the cattle and the spoil of that city, Israel took as their own prey, - according to the word of Yahweh, which he commanded Joshua. So then Joshua burned Ai, - and made of it an age-abiding heap - a desolation, as it remaineth until this day. And, the king of Ai, hanged he on a tree until eventide, - but, at the going in of the sun, Joshua gave command and they took down his dead body from the tree, and cast it in at the opening of the gate of the city, and raised up over it a great heap of stones - which remaineth until this day.
And it came to pass, when Adonizedec, king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and devoted it to destruction, as he had done unto Jericho and her king, so, had he done unto Ai and her king, - and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and had come into their midst,
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three;
And, the sons of Benjamin, dwelt from Geba, to Michmas and Aija, and Bethel, and the hamlets thereof:
The oracle on Moab: Because, in a night, was laid waste Ar of Moab - destroyed! Because, in a night, was laid waste Kir of Moab - destroyed,
Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled Make outcry, ye daughters of Rabbah, Gird you with sackcloth, Lament ye and run to and fro among the fences, - For, Malkam, into captivity, shall go, His priests and his princes, together.
Fausets
("heap of rains".)
1. AI or HAI, i.e. the Ai (Ge 12:8); a royal city (Jos 7:2; 8:9,23,29; 10:1-2; 12:9); E. of Bethel, "beside Bethaven." The second Canaanite city taken by Israel and "utterly destroyed." The name AIATH still belonged to the locality when Sennacherib marched against Jerusalem (Isa 10:28). "Men of Bethel and Ai," (223 according to Ezr 2:28, but 123 according to Ne 7:32,) returned from Babylon with Zerubbzbel. Ezra's list was made in Babylon; Nehemiah's in Judaea long after. Death and change of purpose would make many in Ezra's list of intending returners not appear in Nehemiah's list of those actually arriving.
Aija is mentioned among the towns reoccupied by the Benjamites (Ne 11:31). Perhaps the site is at the head of Wary Harith. (See BETHEL.) There is a hilltop E. of the church remains on the hill adjoining and E. of Bethel (Beitin); its Arab name, et Tel, means "the heap," and it doubtless is the site of Ai, or Hai (on the east of Abraham's encampment and altar, Ge 12:8). In the valley behind Joshua placed his ambush. Across the intervening valley is the spot where Joshua stood when giving the preconcerted signal. The plain or ridge can be seen down which the men of Ai rushed after the retreating Israelites, so that the men in ambush rose and captured the city behind the pursuers, and made it. "a heap" or tel for ever.
2. A city of Ammon, near Heshbon (Jer 49:3).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And he moved on from thence towards the hill country, on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, - with Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east, and bulk there an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh.
And he moved on from thence towards the hill country, on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, - with Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east, and bulk there an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh.
And he moved on from thence towards the hill country, on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, - with Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east, and bulk there an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh.
And he moved on from thence towards the hill country, on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, - with Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east, and bulk there an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh.
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai which was beside Beth-aven on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them saying, Go up and spy out the land. So the men went up, and spied out Ai.
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai which was beside Beth-aven on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them saying, Go up and spy out the land. So the men went up, and spied out Ai.
So Joshua sent them forth, and they went into ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west of Ai, - but Joshua lodged that night in the midst of the people.
So Joshua sent them forth, and they went into ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west of Ai, - but Joshua lodged that night in the midst of the people.
And, the king of Ai, they caught alive, - and brought him near unto Joshua.
And, the king of Ai, they caught alive, - and brought him near unto Joshua.
And, the king of Ai, hanged he on a tree until eventide, - but, at the going in of the sun, Joshua gave command and they took down his dead body from the tree, and cast it in at the opening of the gate of the city, and raised up over it a great heap of stones - which remaineth until this day.
And, the king of Ai, hanged he on a tree until eventide, - but, at the going in of the sun, Joshua gave command and they took down his dead body from the tree, and cast it in at the opening of the gate of the city, and raised up over it a great heap of stones - which remaineth until this day.
And it came to pass, when Adonizedec, king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and devoted it to destruction, as he had done unto Jericho and her king, so, had he done unto Ai and her king, - and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and had come into their midst,
And it came to pass, when Adonizedec, king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and devoted it to destruction, as he had done unto Jericho and her king, so, had he done unto Ai and her king, - and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and had come into their midst, then feared they greatly, because Gibeon was, a great city, as one of the royal cities, - and because, it, was greater than Ai, and, all the men thereof, were mighty:
then feared they greatly, because Gibeon was, a great city, as one of the royal cities, - and because, it, was greater than Ai, and, all the men thereof, were mighty:
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three;
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three;
And, the sons of Benjamin, dwelt from Geba, to Michmas and Aija, and Bethel, and the hamlets thereof:
And, the sons of Benjamin, dwelt from Geba, to Michmas and Aija, and Bethel, and the hamlets thereof:
He hath come in unto Ayyath, Hath passed through Migron, - At Michmash, storeth his baggage:
He hath come in unto Ayyath, Hath passed through Migron, - At Michmash, storeth his baggage:
Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled Make outcry, ye daughters of Rabbah, Gird you with sackcloth, Lament ye and run to and fro among the fences, - For, Malkam, into captivity, shall go, His priests and his princes, together.
Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled Make outcry, ye daughters of Rabbah, Gird you with sackcloth, Lament ye and run to and fro among the fences, - For, Malkam, into captivity, shall go, His priests and his princes, together.
Hastings
1. A place between which and Bethel Abraham was stationed before (Ge 12:8) and after (Ge 13:3) his sojourn in Egypt. The repulse of the Israelite attempt on the city (Jos 7:2-5) led to the exposure of the crime of Achan; when that was expiated, the city was captured and destroyed (Jos 8:1-28) by a ruse. It never reappears in history, though it continued to be inhabited: it is the Aiath in Isaiah's description of the march of the Assyrian (Jos 10:28), and the Aija of Ne 11:31. In 1Ch 7:28 'Azzah, enumerated among the cities of Ephraim, is in many MSS 'Ayyah, which is another form of the name. This, however, cannot in any case be the same place, which was within the tribe of Benjamin (Jos 18:23, where Avvim is possibly a corruption for the name of this city). After the Exile, Ai and Bethel between them supplied a contingent of 223 to the number that returned (Ezr 2:28), and the city was once more settled by Benjamites (Ne 11:31). That the city was insignificant is definitely stated in Jos 7:3, and indicated by the fact that in the list of captured cities it is almost the only one of which the situation is specified (Jos 12:9). Its capture, however, made a deep impression on the Canaanites (Jos 9:3; 10:1). As to its identification, the only indication to guide us is its proximity to Bethel (agreed by all to be Beitin), on the east of that place (as follows from Ge 12:8). Various sites have been proposed
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And he moved on from thence towards the hill country, on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, - with Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east, and bulk there an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh.
And he moved on from thence towards the hill country, on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, - with Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east, and bulk there an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh.
And he went his way, by his removals, from the South even as far as to Bethel, - as far as the place where his tent was at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai:
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai which was beside Beth-aven on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them saying, Go up and spy out the land. So the men went up, and spied out Ai. And they returned unto Joshua and said unto him - Let not all the people go up, about two thousand men or three thousand men, can go up and smite Ai, - do not weary the whole people to go thither, for, but few, they are.
And they returned unto Joshua and said unto him - Let not all the people go up, about two thousand men or three thousand men, can go up and smite Ai, - do not weary the whole people to go thither, for, but few, they are. There went up thither of the people therefore, about three thousand men, - but they fled before the men of Ai. read more. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty-six men, and pursued them before the gate as far as the Shebarim, and smote them on the slope, - so that the heart of the people melted and became as water.
Then said Yahweh unto Joshua - Do not fear nor be dismayed, take with thee all the army, 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; so shalt thou do unto Ai and to her king, as thou didst unto Jericho unto her king, save only, the spoil thereof and the cattle thereof, shall ye take as your own prey, - set thee an ambush for the city, behind it. read more. So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up to Ai, - and Joshua chose out thirty thousand men, the mighty men of valour, and sent them forth by night. And he commanded them, saying - See! ye, shall be lying in ambush against the city, behind the city, do not go very far from the city, - so shall ye all be ready. But, I, and all the people who are with me, will draw near unto the city, - and it shall be, when they come out to meet us, as at the first, then will we flee before them; so will they come out after us, until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, Fleeing before us, as at the first! therefore will we flee before them. Then, ye, shall rise up out of the ambush, and take possession of the city, - and Yahweh your God will deliver it into your hand. And it shall be, when ye have seized the city, then shall ye burn the city with fire, according to the word of Yahweh, shall ye do, - see! I have commanded you. So Joshua sent them forth, and they went into ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west of Ai, - but Joshua lodged that night in the midst of the people. And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and mustered the people, - and went up - he and the elders of Israel, before the people, to Ai. And, all the people of war who were with him, went up, and drew near, and came in, right before the city, - and pitched on the north of Ai, with, a valley, between them and Ai. And he took about five thousand men, - and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west of the city. And, when the people had set all the host that was on the north of the city, with the rear thereof on the west of the city, then went Joshua, during the night, into the midst of the valley. And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted, and rose up early, and the men of the city came out to meet Israel for battle, he and all his people, at an appointed time, before the waste plain, - he not knowing that there was an ambush lying in wait for him, behind the city. So then Joshua and all Israel suffered themselves to be smitten before them, - and fled, by the way of the wilderness; and all the people who were in the city were called out to pursue them, - and they pursued Joshua, and so were drawn out away from the city. And there remained not a man, in Ai or Bethel, who had not gone out after Israel, - and they left the city, open, and pursued Israel. Then said Yahweh unto Joshua - Stretch out with the javelin which is in thy hand, towards Ai, for, into thy hand, will I deliver it. So Joshua stretched out with the javelin which was in his hand, towards the city. And, the ambush, rose up quickly, out of their place, and ran, when he stretched out his hand, and entered the city, and captured it, - and hasted, and set the city on fire. And the men of Ai turned behind them, and looked, and lo! the smoke of the city had risen up towards the heavens, and there was in them no strength, to flee this way or that way, - moreover, the people that were fleeing to the wilderness, turned back upon the pursuers. Yea, when, Joshua and all Israel, saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city had risen up, then returned they, and smote the men of Ai. And, the others, came forth out of the city to meet them, so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side, - and they smote them, until there was left them none to remain or to escape. And, the king of Ai, they caught alive, - and brought him near unto Joshua. And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness whither they had pursued them, and all of them had fallen by the edge of the sword until they were consumed, then all Israel returned to Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all who fell that day, both of men and of women, were twelve thousand, - all people of Ai. Now, Joshua, drew not back his hand which he had stretched out with the javelin, - until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Nevertheless, the cattle and the spoil of that city, Israel took as their own prey, - according to the word of Yahweh, which he commanded Joshua. So then Joshua burned Ai, - and made of it an age-abiding heap - a desolation, as it remaineth until this day.
Now, the inhabitants of Gibeon, heard that which Joshua had done unto Jericho and unto Ai;
And it came to pass, when Adonizedec, king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and devoted it to destruction, as he had done unto Jericho and her king, so, had he done unto Ai and her king, - and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and had come into their midst,
And Joshua captured, Makkedah, on that day, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and, the king thereof, devoted he to destruction, them and all the souls that were therein, he left no survivor, - but did unto the king of Makkedah, as he had done unto the king of Jericho.
And, their possessions, and their dwellings, were Bethel, and the villages thereof; and, eastward, Naaran, and, westward, Gezer, and the villages thereof, and Shechem, and the villages thereof, - as far as Aiyah, and the villages thereof; -
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three;
And, the sons of Benjamin, dwelt from Geba, to Michmas and Aija, and Bethel, and the hamlets thereof:
And, the sons of Benjamin, dwelt from Geba, to Michmas and Aija, and Bethel, and the hamlets thereof:
Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled Make outcry, ye daughters of Rabbah, Gird you with sackcloth, Lament ye and run to and fro among the fences, - For, Malkam, into captivity, shall go, His priests and his princes, together.
Morish
A'i Hai. Ha'i
1. Royal city of Canaan. It was known to Abraham, who pitched his tent between Hai and Bethel. Ge 12:8. It was conquered by Joshua
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And he moved on from thence towards the hill country, on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, - with Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east, and bulk there an altar to Yahweh, and called on the name of Yahweh.
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai which was beside Beth-aven on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them saying, Go up and spy out the land. So the men went up, and spied out Ai. And they returned unto Joshua and said unto him - Let not all the people go up, about two thousand men or three thousand men, can go up and smite Ai, - do not weary the whole people to go thither, for, but few, they are. read more. There went up thither of the people therefore, about three thousand men, - but they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty-six men, and pursued them before the gate as far as the Shebarim, and smote them on the slope, - so that the heart of the people melted and became as water.
Then said Yahweh unto Joshua - Do not fear nor be dismayed, take with thee all the army, 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; so shalt thou do unto Ai and to her king, as thou didst unto Jericho unto her king, save only, the spoil thereof and the cattle thereof, shall ye take as your own prey, - set thee an ambush for the city, behind it. read more. So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up to Ai, - and Joshua chose out thirty thousand men, the mighty men of valour, and sent them forth by night. And he commanded them, saying - See! ye, shall be lying in ambush against the city, behind the city, do not go very far from the city, - so shall ye all be ready. But, I, and all the people who are with me, will draw near unto the city, - and it shall be, when they come out to meet us, as at the first, then will we flee before them; so will they come out after us, until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, Fleeing before us, as at the first! therefore will we flee before them. Then, ye, shall rise up out of the ambush, and take possession of the city, - and Yahweh your God will deliver it into your hand. And it shall be, when ye have seized the city, then shall ye burn the city with fire, according to the word of Yahweh, shall ye do, - see! I have commanded you. So Joshua sent them forth, and they went into ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west of Ai, - but Joshua lodged that night in the midst of the people. And Joshua rose up early in the morning, and mustered the people, - and went up - he and the elders of Israel, before the people, to Ai. And, all the people of war who were with him, went up, and drew near, and came in, right before the city, - and pitched on the north of Ai, with, a valley, between them and Ai. And he took about five thousand men, - and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west of the city. And, when the people had set all the host that was on the north of the city, with the rear thereof on the west of the city, then went Joshua, during the night, into the midst of the valley. And it came to pass, when the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted, and rose up early, and the men of the city came out to meet Israel for battle, he and all his people, at an appointed time, before the waste plain, - he not knowing that there was an ambush lying in wait for him, behind the city. So then Joshua and all Israel suffered themselves to be smitten before them, - and fled, by the way of the wilderness; and all the people who were in the city were called out to pursue them, - and they pursued Joshua, and so were drawn out away from the city. And there remained not a man, in Ai or Bethel, who had not gone out after Israel, - and they left the city, open, and pursued Israel. Then said Yahweh unto Joshua - Stretch out with the javelin which is in thy hand, towards Ai, for, into thy hand, will I deliver it. So Joshua stretched out with the javelin which was in his hand, towards the city. And, the ambush, rose up quickly, out of their place, and ran, when he stretched out his hand, and entered the city, and captured it, - and hasted, and set the city on fire. And the men of Ai turned behind them, and looked, and lo! the smoke of the city had risen up towards the heavens, and there was in them no strength, to flee this way or that way, - moreover, the people that were fleeing to the wilderness, turned back upon the pursuers. Yea, when, Joshua and all Israel, saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city had risen up, then returned they, and smote the men of Ai. And, the others, came forth out of the city to meet them, so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side, - and they smote them, until there was left them none to remain or to escape. And, the king of Ai, they caught alive, - and brought him near unto Joshua. And it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness whither they had pursued them, and all of them had fallen by the edge of the sword until they were consumed, then all Israel returned to Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword. And so it was, that all who fell that day, both of men and of women, were twelve thousand, - all people of Ai. Now, Joshua, drew not back his hand which he had stretched out with the javelin, - until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Nevertheless, the cattle and the spoil of that city, Israel took as their own prey, - according to the word of Yahweh, which he commanded Joshua. So then Joshua burned Ai, - and made of it an age-abiding heap - a desolation, as it remaineth until this day. And, the king of Ai, hanged he on a tree until eventide, - but, at the going in of the sun, Joshua gave command and they took down his dead body from the tree, and cast it in at the opening of the gate of the city, and raised up over it a great heap of stones - which remaineth until this day.
And it came to pass, when Adonizedec, king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and devoted it to destruction, as he had done unto Jericho and her king, so, had he done unto Ai and her king, - and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and had come into their midst, then feared they greatly, because Gibeon was, a great city, as one of the royal cities, - and because, it, was greater than Ai, and, all the men thereof, were mighty:
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three;
And, the sons of Benjamin, dwelt from Geba, to Michmas and Aija, and Bethel, and the hamlets thereof:
He hath come in unto Ayyath, Hath passed through Migron, - At Michmash, storeth his baggage:
Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled Make outcry, ye daughters of Rabbah, Gird you with sackcloth, Lament ye and run to and fro among the fences, - For, Malkam, into captivity, shall go, His priests and his princes, together.
Smith
A'i
(heap of ruins).
1. A city lying east of Bethel and "beside Bethaven."
It was the second city taken by Israel after the passage of the Jordan, and was "utterly destroyed."
Jos 7:3-5; 1/type/emb'>8:1,1; 9:3; 10:1-2; 12:9
2. A city of the Ammonites, apparently attached to Heshbon.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai which was beside Beth-aven on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them saying, Go up and spy out the land. So the men went up, and spied out Ai. And they returned unto Joshua and said unto him - Let not all the people go up, about two thousand men or three thousand men, can go up and smite Ai, - do not weary the whole people to go thither, for, but few, they are. read more. There went up thither of the people therefore, about three thousand men, - but they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty-six men, and pursued them before the gate as far as the Shebarim, and smote them on the slope, - so that the heart of the people melted and became as water.
Then said Yahweh unto Joshua - Do not fear nor be dismayed, take with thee all the army, 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;
Then said Yahweh unto Joshua - Do not fear nor be dismayed, take with thee all the army, 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;
So Joshua sent them forth, and they went into ambush, and abode between Bethel and Ai, on the west of Ai, - but Joshua lodged that night in the midst of the people.
Now, the inhabitants of Gibeon, heard that which Joshua had done unto Jericho and unto Ai;
And it came to pass, when Adonizedec, king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had captured Ai, and devoted it to destruction, as he had done unto Jericho and her king, so, had he done unto Ai and her king, - and that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made peace with Israel and had come into their midst, then feared they greatly, because Gibeon was, a great city, as one of the royal cities, - and because, it, was greater than Ai, and, all the men thereof, were mighty:
Howl, O Heshbon, for Ai is spoiled Make outcry, ye daughters of Rabbah, Gird you with sackcloth, Lament ye and run to and fro among the fences, - For, Malkam, into captivity, shall go, His priests and his princes, together.
Watsons
AI, called by the LXX, Gai, by Josephus, Aina, and by others Ajah, a town of Palestine, situate west of Bethel, and at a small distance north-west of Jericho. The three thousand men, first sent by Joshua to reduce this city, were repulsed, on account of the sin of Achan, who had violated the anathema pronounced against Jericho, by appropriating a part of the spoil. After the expiation of this offence, the whole army of Israel marched against Ai, with orders to treat that city as Jericho had been treated, with this difference, that the plunder was to be given to the army. Joshua, having appointed an ambush of thirty thousand men, marched against the city, and by a feigned retreat, drew out the king of Ai with his troops; and upon on a signal given by elevating his shield on the top of a pike, the men in ambush entered the city and set fire to it. Thus the soldiers of Ai, placed between two divisions of Joshua's army, were all destroyed; the king alone being preserved for a more ignominious death on a gibbet, where he hung till sunset. The spoil of the place was afterward divided among the Israelites. The men appointed for ambush are, in one place, said to be thirty thousand, and in another five thousand. For reconciling this apparent contradiction, most commentators have generally supposed, that there were two bodies placed in ambuscade between Bethel and Ai, one of twenty-five thousand and the other of five thousand men; the latter being probably a detachment from the thirty thousand first sent, and ordered to lie as near to the city as possible. Masius allows only five thousand men for the ambuscade, and twenty-five thousand for the attack.