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
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.
He traveled from place to place from the Negev until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier.
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Bethel. He spoke to them: Go up and spy on the country. And the men went up and spied on Ai. They returned to Joshua, and said: Do not send all the people. Send about two or three thousand men to Ai to go up and capture Ai. Do not bother all the people for there are only a few there. read more. So about three thousand men left the people. The men of Ai routed them. The men of Ai killed about thirty-six of them: for they chased them going down from before the gate to Shebarim. The heart of the people melted, and became as water. (The Israelites lost their courage and were afraid)
Jehovah said to Joshua: Do not fear and do not be discouraged (troubled) (confused). Take all the people of war with you and go up to Ai. I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land. Do to Ai and her king what you did to Jericho and her king. Take the spoil and the cattle for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it. read more. Joshua and all the people of war went up against Ai. Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night. He commanded them, saying: You shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city. Do not go very far from the city and be ready. I, and all the people that are with me, will approach the city. When they come out against us we will run away from them. They will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city. They will say: 'They run from us.' Therefore we will run before them. Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize the city: for Jehovah your God will deliver it into your hand. When you have taken the city you will set the city on fire according to the commandment of Jehovah. See, I have commanded you. Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people. Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered his men. He and the elders of Israel went in front of the people to Ai. And all the people, even the people of war that were with him went to the city. They set up camp on the north side of Ai. There was a valley between them and Ai. He took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. They had the solders take up their positions those in camp to the north and the ambush to the west. Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. When the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed headed for the plain. He did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten in front of them and ran away to the wilderness. All the people in Ai were called together to chase after them. They chased after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. There was no man left in Ai or Bethel. They all went after Israel: and they left the city open. Jehovah said to Joshua: Stretch out the spear (javelin) that is in your hand toward Ai. I will give it to your hand. Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. The ambush began quickly. They ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand. They entered into the city, captured it and quickly set the city on fire. The men of Ai looked behind and saw the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. They had no power to run this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended they turned and killed the men of Ai. The men of the ambush came out of the city against them. They were caught in the middle with Israel on both sides. Israel killed them all. No one remained or escaped. They captured the king of Ai alive, and brought him to Joshua. When Israel finished slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness where they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned to Ai, and killed it with the edge of the sword. Twelve thousand men and women of Ai were killed that day. Joshua did not withdraw his hand. He stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Israel took the cattle and the spoil of that city for preys for themselves, according to the word Jehovah commanded Joshua. Joshua burnt Ai and made it a heap forever, even desolation to this day. He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening. As soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they take his carcass down from the tree and throw it at the entering gate of the city. They raised a large pile of rocks over it that is there to this day.
The children of Benjamin were living from Geba, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and its villages.
They enter Aiath and they pass through Migron. They store supplies at Micmash.
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
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.
He traveled from place to place from the Negev until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier.
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Bethel. He spoke to them: Go up and spy on the country. And the men went up and spied on Ai. They returned to Joshua, and said: Do not send all the people. Send about two or three thousand men to Ai to go up and capture Ai. Do not bother all the people for there are only a few there. read more. So about three thousand men left the people. The men of Ai routed them. The men of Ai killed about thirty-six of them: for they chased them going down from before the gate to Shebarim. The heart of the people melted, and became as water. (The Israelites lost their courage and were afraid)
Jehovah said to Joshua: Do not fear and do not be discouraged (troubled) (confused). Take all the people of war with you and go up to Ai. I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land. Do to Ai and her king what you did to Jericho and her king. Take the spoil and the cattle for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it. read more. Joshua and all the people of war went up against Ai. Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night. He commanded them, saying: You shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city. Do not go very far from the city and be ready. I, and all the people that are with me, will approach the city. When they come out against us we will run away from them. They will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city. They will say: 'They run from us.' Therefore we will run before them. Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize the city: for Jehovah your God will deliver it into your hand. When you have taken the city you will set the city on fire according to the commandment of Jehovah. See, I have commanded you. Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people. Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered his men. He and the elders of Israel went in front of the people to Ai. And all the people, even the people of war that were with him went to the city. They set up camp on the north side of Ai. There was a valley between them and Ai. He took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. They had the solders take up their positions those in camp to the north and the ambush to the west. Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. When the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed headed for the plain. He did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten in front of them and ran away to the wilderness. All the people in Ai were called together to chase after them. They chased after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. There was no man left in Ai or Bethel. They all went after Israel: and they left the city open. Jehovah said to Joshua: Stretch out the spear (javelin) that is in your hand toward Ai. I will give it to your hand. Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. The ambush began quickly. They ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand. They entered into the city, captured it and quickly set the city on fire. The men of Ai looked behind and saw the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. They had no power to run this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended they turned and killed the men of Ai. The men of the ambush came out of the city against them. They were caught in the middle with Israel on both sides. Israel killed them all. No one remained or escaped. They captured the king of Ai alive, and brought him to Joshua. When Israel finished slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness where they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned to Ai, and killed it with the edge of the sword. Twelve thousand men and women of Ai were killed that day. Joshua did not withdraw his hand. He stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Israel took the cattle and the spoil of that city for preys for themselves, according to the word Jehovah commanded Joshua. Joshua burnt Ai and made it a heap forever, even desolation to this day. He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening. As soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they take his carcass down from the tree and throw it at the entering gate of the city. They raised a large pile of rocks over it that is there to this day.
When Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king. The inhabitants of Gibeon made peace with Israel and were living near them.
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three.
The children of Benjamin were living from Geba, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and its villages.
Surely in a night Ar of Moab is devastated and ruined. Certainly in a night Kir of Moab is devastated and ruined.
Cry loudly, Heshbon, because Ai is destroyed. Cry, people of Rabbah, put on your sackcloth, and mourn. Run back and forth between the walls. Milcom will be taken away into captivity with its priests and officials.
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
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Bethel. He spoke to them: Go up and spy on the country. And the men went up and spied on Ai.
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Bethel. He spoke to them: Go up and spy on the country. And the men went up and spied on Ai.
Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people.
Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people.
He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening. As soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they take his carcass down from the tree and throw it at the entering gate of the city. They raised a large pile of rocks over it that is there to this day.
He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening. As soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they take his carcass down from the tree and throw it at the entering gate of the city. They raised a large pile of rocks over it that is there to this day.
When Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king. The inhabitants of Gibeon made peace with Israel and were living near them.
When Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king. The inhabitants of Gibeon made peace with Israel and were living near them. They were very afraid because Gibeon was a great royal city. It was larger than Ai and all the men there were great fighters.
They were very afraid because Gibeon was a great royal city. It was larger than Ai and all the men there were great fighters.
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three.
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three.
The children of Benjamin were living from Geba, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and its villages.
The children of Benjamin were living from Geba, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and its villages.
They enter Aiath and they pass through Migron. They store supplies at Micmash.
They enter Aiath and they pass through Migron. They store supplies at Micmash.
Cry loudly, Heshbon, because Ai is destroyed. Cry, people of Rabbah, put on your sackcloth, and mourn. Run back and forth between the walls. Milcom will be taken away into captivity with its priests and officials.
Cry loudly, Heshbon, because Ai is destroyed. Cry, people of Rabbah, put on your sackcloth, and mourn. Run back and forth between the walls. Milcom will be taken away into captivity with its priests and officials.
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
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.
He traveled from place to place from the Negev until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier.
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Bethel. He spoke to them: Go up and spy on the country. And the men went up and spied on Ai. They returned to Joshua, and said: Do not send all the people. Send about two or three thousand men to Ai to go up and capture Ai. Do not bother all the people for there are only a few there.
They returned to Joshua, and said: Do not send all the people. Send about two or three thousand men to Ai to go up and capture Ai. Do not bother all the people for there are only a few there. So about three thousand men left the people. The men of Ai routed them. read more. The men of Ai killed about thirty-six of them: for they chased them going down from before the gate to Shebarim. The heart of the people melted, and became as water. (The Israelites lost their courage and were afraid)
Jehovah said to Joshua: Do not fear and do not be discouraged (troubled) (confused). Take all the people of war with you and go up to Ai. I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land. Do to Ai and her king what you did to Jericho and her king. Take the spoil and the cattle for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it. read more. Joshua and all the people of war went up against Ai. Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night. He commanded them, saying: You shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city. Do not go very far from the city and be ready. I, and all the people that are with me, will approach the city. When they come out against us we will run away from them. They will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city. They will say: 'They run from us.' Therefore we will run before them. Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize the city: for Jehovah your God will deliver it into your hand. When you have taken the city you will set the city on fire according to the commandment of Jehovah. See, I have commanded you. Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people. Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered his men. He and the elders of Israel went in front of the people to Ai. And all the people, even the people of war that were with him went to the city. They set up camp on the north side of Ai. There was a valley between them and Ai. He took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. They had the solders take up their positions those in camp to the north and the ambush to the west. Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. When the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed headed for the plain. He did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten in front of them and ran away to the wilderness. All the people in Ai were called together to chase after them. They chased after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. There was no man left in Ai or Bethel. They all went after Israel: and they left the city open. Jehovah said to Joshua: Stretch out the spear (javelin) that is in your hand toward Ai. I will give it to your hand. Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. The ambush began quickly. They ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand. They entered into the city, captured it and quickly set the city on fire. The men of Ai looked behind and saw the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. They had no power to run this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended they turned and killed the men of Ai. The men of the ambush came out of the city against them. They were caught in the middle with Israel on both sides. Israel killed them all. No one remained or escaped. They captured the king of Ai alive, and brought him to Joshua. When Israel finished slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness where they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned to Ai, and killed it with the edge of the sword. Twelve thousand men and women of Ai were killed that day. Joshua did not withdraw his hand. He stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Israel took the cattle and the spoil of that city for preys for themselves, according to the word Jehovah commanded Joshua. Joshua burnt Ai and made it a heap forever, even desolation to this day.
When Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king. The inhabitants of Gibeon made peace with Israel and were living near them.
That day Joshua struck Makkedah with the edge of the sword. The king was destroyed all the people who lived there. He let none remain: and he did to the king of Makkedah the same as he did to the king of Jericho.
Their lands and settlements included Bethel and its surrounding villages, Naaran to the east, Gezer and its villages to the west, and Shechem and its villages all the way to Ayyah and its villages.
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three.
The children of Benjamin were living from Geba, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and its villages.
The children of Benjamin were living from Geba, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and its villages.
Cry loudly, Heshbon, because Ai is destroyed. Cry, people of Rabbah, put on your sackcloth, and mourn. Run back and forth between the walls. Milcom will be taken away into captivity with its priests and officials.
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
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Bethel. He spoke to them: Go up and spy on the country. And the men went up and spied on Ai. They returned to Joshua, and said: Do not send all the people. Send about two or three thousand men to Ai to go up and capture Ai. Do not bother all the people for there are only a few there. read more. So about three thousand men left the people. The men of Ai routed them. The men of Ai killed about thirty-six of them: for they chased them going down from before the gate to Shebarim. The heart of the people melted, and became as water. (The Israelites lost their courage and were afraid)
Jehovah said to Joshua: Do not fear and do not be discouraged (troubled) (confused). Take all the people of war with you and go up to Ai. I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land. Do to Ai and her king what you did to Jericho and her king. Take the spoil and the cattle for yourselves. Lay an ambush for the city behind it. read more. Joshua and all the people of war went up against Ai. Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valor, and sent them away by night. He commanded them, saying: You shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city. Do not go very far from the city and be ready. I, and all the people that are with me, will approach the city. When they come out against us we will run away from them. They will come out after us till we have drawn them from the city. They will say: 'They run from us.' Therefore we will run before them. Then you shall rise up from the ambush, and seize the city: for Jehovah your God will deliver it into your hand. When you have taken the city you will set the city on fire according to the commandment of Jehovah. See, I have commanded you. Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people. Joshua rose up early in the morning and mustered his men. He and the elders of Israel went in front of the people to Ai. And all the people, even the people of war that were with him went to the city. They set up camp on the north side of Ai. There was a valley between them and Ai. He took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city. They had the solders take up their positions those in camp to the north and the ambush to the west. Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley. When the king of Ai saw it, that they hasted and rose up early, and the men of the city went out against Israel to battle, he and all his people, at a time appointed headed for the plain. He did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city. Joshua and all Israel made as if they were beaten in front of them and ran away to the wilderness. All the people in Ai were called together to chase after them. They chased after Joshua, and were drawn away from the city. There was no man left in Ai or Bethel. They all went after Israel: and they left the city open. Jehovah said to Joshua: Stretch out the spear (javelin) that is in your hand toward Ai. I will give it to your hand. Joshua stretched out the spear that he had in his hand toward the city. The ambush began quickly. They ran as soon as he had stretched out his hand. They entered into the city, captured it and quickly set the city on fire. The men of Ai looked behind and saw the smoke of the city ascended up to heaven. They had no power to run this way or that way: and the people that fled to the wilderness turned back upon the pursuers. When Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had taken the city, and that the smoke of the city ascended they turned and killed the men of Ai. The men of the ambush came out of the city against them. They were caught in the middle with Israel on both sides. Israel killed them all. No one remained or escaped. They captured the king of Ai alive, and brought him to Joshua. When Israel finished slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness where they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned to Ai, and killed it with the edge of the sword. Twelve thousand men and women of Ai were killed that day. Joshua did not withdraw his hand. He stretched out the spear, until he had utterly destroyed all the inhabitants of Ai. Israel took the cattle and the spoil of that city for preys for themselves, according to the word Jehovah commanded Joshua. Joshua burnt Ai and made it a heap forever, even desolation to this day. He hung the king of Ai on a tree until evening. As soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they take his carcass down from the tree and throw it at the entering gate of the city. They raised a large pile of rocks over it that is there to this day.
When Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king. The inhabitants of Gibeon made peace with Israel and were living near them. They were very afraid because Gibeon was a great royal city. It was larger than Ai and all the men there were great fighters.
The men of Bethel and Ai, two hundred and twenty-three.
The children of Benjamin were living from Geba, at Michmash and Aija, and at Beth-el and its villages.
They enter Aiath and they pass through Migron. They store supplies at Micmash.
Cry loudly, Heshbon, because Ai is destroyed. Cry, people of Rabbah, put on your sackcloth, and mourn. Run back and forth between the walls. Milcom will be taken away into captivity with its priests and officials.
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/nsb'>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
Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Bethel. He spoke to them: Go up and spy on the country. And the men went up and spied on Ai. They returned to Joshua, and said: Do not send all the people. Send about two or three thousand men to Ai to go up and capture Ai. Do not bother all the people for there are only a few there. read more. So about three thousand men left the people. The men of Ai routed them. The men of Ai killed about thirty-six of them: for they chased them going down from before the gate to Shebarim. The heart of the people melted, and became as water. (The Israelites lost their courage and were afraid)
Jehovah said to Joshua: Do not fear and do not be discouraged (troubled) (confused). Take all the people of war with you and go up to Ai. I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land.
Jehovah said to Joshua: Do not fear and do not be discouraged (troubled) (confused). Take all the people of war with you and go up to Ai. I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land.
Joshua sent them forth. They went to lie in ambush, and stay between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of Ai. Joshua lodged that night among the people.
When Adoni-zedek king of Jerusalem heard that Joshua had taken Ai, and had utterly destroyed it; as he had done to Jericho and her king, so he had done to Ai and her king. The inhabitants of Gibeon made peace with Israel and were living near them. They were very afraid because Gibeon was a great royal city. It was larger than Ai and all the men there were great fighters.
Cry loudly, Heshbon, because Ai is destroyed. Cry, people of Rabbah, put on your sackcloth, and mourn. Run back and forth between the walls. Milcom will be taken away into captivity with its priests and officials.
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.