Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
Twelve Stones taken for a Memorial. JOSHUA IV. V. God Mognifes Joshua, from above—I. e., the Sea of Galilee "stood and rose up
Joshua's execution of the minutest instructions respecting the passage (Numbers 27. 21-23). Tlie unfaltering confidence of tlie priests contrasts strilcingly with the conduct of the people, who "hasted and passed over." Their faith, like that of many of God's people, was, tliroiigh the weakness of nature, blended with fears. But perhaps their "haste" may be viewed in a more favourable light, as indicating the alacrity of their obedience, or it miglu have been enjoined, in order tliat tlie whole multitude might pass in one day. 11. the ark of the Lord passed over, and the priests in the presence of the pcoi)lc The ark is mentioned as the efficient cause; it had bceu the first to move—it was the last to leave; and its movements arrested the deep attention of the people, who probably stood on the opposite bank, wrapt in admiration and awe of this closing scene. It was a great miracle, greater even than the passage of the Red Sea in this respect: that, admitting tlie fact, there is no possibility of rationalistic insinuations as to tlie infiuence of natural causes in producing it, as have been made in tlie former
In a heap," a firm, compact barrier fExodus 15. S; Psalm
78. 13), "vei-y far," high up the stream; "from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan," hear mount Sartabeh, in the northern part of the Ghor (1 Kings. 7. 46); t". e., a distance of thirty miles from the Israelitish encampment; and "those that came down towards the sea of the desert" —ite Dead Sea—failed and were cut off (Psalm 114. 2, .3). The river was thus dried up as far as the eye could reach. This was a stupendous miracle; Jordan taltes its name, "the Descender," from the force of its current, which, after pa.ssing the Sea of Galilee, becomes greatly increased as it plunges through twenty-seven " horrible rapids and cascades," besides a great many lesser through a fall of
1000 feet, averaging from four to five miles an hour. [Lykch.] Wlien swollen "in time of harvest," it flows with a vastly accelerated current. 17. the priests and all the Israelites passed on dry ground—the river about Jericho has a firm pebbly bottom, on which the host might pass without inconvenience when the water was cleared off. the people passed over right against Jericlio—The exact spot is unknown; but it cannot be that fixed by Greek tradition—the pilgrims' bathing-place—both because it Is too much to the north, and the eastern banks are there sheer precipices of 10 or 15 feet high.
case. 13, 13. The children of Reuben . . . passed over armed before the children of Israel—There is no precedency to the otlier tribes indicated here; for there is no reason to suppose that tlie usual order of march was departed from ; but these are honourably mentioned to show that, in pursuance of their engagement (ch. 1. 16-18), they had sent a complement of fighting men to accompany their brethren in the war of invasion, into the plains of Jericho—That part of tlie Arabah or Glior, on the west, Is about'seveu miles broad from the Jordan tc the mountain entrance at Wady-Kelt. Tbougii now desert, this valley was in ancient times richly covered with wood—an immense palm forest, seven miles long, surrounded Jericho.
CHAPTER IV.
Ver. 1-S. Twelve Stones taken fob a Memokial out OF Jordan. 1, a. The Lord spake unto Joshua, Take you twelve men—each representing a tribe; they had been previously chosen for this service (ch. 3. 12), and the repetition of the command is made here solely to introduce the account of its execution. Though Joshua had been divinely instructed to erect a commemorative pile, the representatives were not apprised of the work they were to do till the time of the passage. 4, 5. Joslma called the twelve men—They had probably, from a feeling of reverence, kept back, and were standing on the eastern bank. Thej' were now ordered to advance, and picking up each a stone, probably as large as he could carry, from around the spot "where the priests stood," pass over before the ark, and deposit the stones in the place of next encampment {vs. 19, 20), viz., Gilgal. 6, 7. that this may he a sign among you—Tlie erection of cairns, or huge piles of stones, as monuments of remarkable incidents, has been common amongst all people, especially in the early and rude periods of their history. They are the established means of perpetuating the memory of important transactions, especially amongst the nomadic people of the East; and although tliere be no inscription engraven on them, tlie history and object of such simple monuments are traditionally preserved from age to age. Similar was the purpose contemplated by tlie conveyance of the twelve stones to Gilgal : it was that they might be a standing record to posterity of the miraculous passage of the Jordan. 8. the children of Israel did go as Joshua commanded—that is, it was done by their twelve representatives.
14-24. God Magnifies Joshua. 14-17. On that day the Lord magnl Aed Joshua in the siglit of all Israel-
It appeared clear, from the chief part he acted, tliat he was the divinely-appointed leader; for even tlie priests did not enter the river, or quit their position, except at his command; and thenceforward his authority was as firmly established as that of his predecessor. 18. It came to pass when the priests tliat bare the ark were come out of the midst of Jordan . . . that the waters of Jordan returned unto their place — Their crossing, which was the final act, completed the evidence of the miracle; for then, and not till then, the suspended laws of nature were restored, the waters returned to their place, and the river flowed with as full a current as before. 19. The people came out of Jordan on the tenth day of the first montli i. e., the montli Nisan, four days before the passover, and the very day when the paschal lamb required to be set apart, the providence of God having arranged that the entrance into the promised land should be at the feast, and encamped in Gilgal—the name is here given by anticipation (see on ch. 5. 9). It was a tract of land, according to Josephus, fifty stadia (6}/^ miles) from Jordan, and ten stadia (1^ miles) from Jericho, at the eastern outskirts of the palm forest, now supposed to lie the spot occupied by the village Riha. 30-34. Those twelve stones which they took out of Jordan did Joshua pitch In Gilgal—probably to render them more conspicuous, they might be raised on a foundation of earth or turf; and the pile was designed to serve a double purpose—that of Impressing the heathen with a sense of the omnipotence of God, while at the same time it would teach an Important lesson In religion to the young and rising Israelites In after ages.
9. Twelve Stones set up in the midst of Jordan. 9. Joshua set up twelve stones In the place where the feet of the priests stood—In addition to the memorial Just described, there was another memento of the miraculous event, a duplicate of the former, set up in the river Itself, on the very spot where the ark had rested. This heap of stones might have been a large and compactlybuilt one, and visible In the ordinary state of the river. As nothing Is said whence these stones were got, some have Imagined that they might have been gathered In the adjoining fields, and deposited by the people as they passed the appointed spot, they are there unto this day —at least 20 years after the event. If we reckon by the date of this history (ch._24. 28), and much later. If the words in the latter clause were Inserted by Samuel or Ezra.
CHAPTER V.
Ver. 1. The Canaanites Afraid. 1. the kings of the Amorltes which were on the side of Jordan westward and all the kings of the Canaanites by the sea—Under the former designation were included the people who Inhabited the mountainous region, and under the latter those who were on the sea-ooast of Palestine, heard that the Lord had dried up the waters of Jordan . . . that their heart melted—They had: pjobably reckoned on the
Ver. 10-13. The People pass over. 10. the priests •which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan—This position was well calculated to animate the people, who probably crossed below the ark, as well as to facilitate 10
Circumcision is Renewed, JOSIIL'A VI. Jericho Shut up.
abundance of food led to the disi ontinuance of the manna; and the fact of its then ceasing, viewed in connection with its seasonable appearance in the barren wilderness, is a striking proof of its miraculous origin.
Bwollen rivpiinterposing for a time n ^uro barrier of defence. But .seeing it liad been completely dried up, tliey were completely paralyzed by so incontestable a proof that God was on the side of the invaders. In fact, the conquest had already begun in the total prostration of spirit among the native chiefs. "Their heart melted," but nnlia.ppily not into faith and penitent submission.
l:i-15. An ANfiRi, appeahs to Joshua. 1.3. Wlien Joshua was by Jericho— in the immediate viciiiily of
2-12. CIUCUMCISION IS Renkwed. a. At tlmt timeon the encampment being made after the passage, tite fliat city, prolialily engagtd in surveying the fortiti -ations, and in meditating the l>est plan of a siege, there stood a man over against him with a sword drawn —It is evident from the strain of the conti-xt that this wa8 not a mere vision, but an actual appearance; the suddenness of whicli surprised, but did not daunt, the intn-piii leader, li. the host of the Lord—eillier the Israelilish people (Exodus 7. 4; 12. 41 ; Isa,iah5o. 4), or the angels (I'salin
Blake tUee slxarp knives Stone knives, collect and make them ready. Flint-s have been useil in the earlj' times of ail people; and although the use of iron wir.s known to the Hebrews in the days of Joshua, probably the want of a sufficient number of metallic implements dictated the employment of flints on this occasion (cf. Exodus -1. 2^)). circumcise n;;afii tine children of Israel tlic second time lit., return and circumcise. The command did not require him to repeat the operation on those who had undergone it, but to resume theobservance of the rite, which had been long discontinued. The langvtage, however, evidently points to a general circumcising on some previous occasion, which, though unrecorded, must have lieen made before the celebration of the passover at Sinai (cf. Exodus 12. -IS; Numbers 9.5), as a mixed multitude accompanied the camp. "The second time" of general circumcising was at the entrance into Canaan. 3. at tlie I>ill—Probably one of the argillaceous hills th.at form the highest terrace of the Jordan, on a rising ground at the palm forest. 4r-7. tUls ta the cause why Joshua did circumcise—The omission to circumcise the children born in the wilderness might have been owing to the incess.ant movements of the people; but it is most generally thought that the true cause was a temporary suspension of the covenant with the unbelieving race who, being rejected of the Lord, were doomed to perish in the wilderness, and whose children had to bear the iniquity of their fathers (Numbers li.'Si), though, as the latter were to be brought into the promised land, the covenant would be renewed with them. 8. when they had tlone circumcising; all the people—As the number of those born in the wilderness and luicircumcised must have been immense, a difficulty
148. 2), or both included, and the Captain of it was thciinge. of the covenant, whose visible manifestations were varied according to the occasion. His attitude of equipment betokened his approval of, and interest in, the war of inva- . Sion. Joslma fell on his face, and did worship—'J"be adoption by Joshua of this absolute form of prostration demonstrates the sentiments of profound reverence with which the language and majestic bearing of the stranger inspired him. The real character of th.is per.sonage was disclosed by His accepting the homage of v/orship (cf. Acts 10.25,2fi; Revelation 19.10), and still furtlier in the command, " Loose thy shoe from ofl" thy foot," (ExoUus
3. 5.) CHAPTER VI.
Ver. 1-7. .Tericho Shitt up. 1. Now Jericho was straltly shut up—This verse is a parenthesis introduced to prepare the way for the directions given by the Captain of the Lord's host. See, I have given into thine hnnd Jei-leho—the language intimates that a purpose alruidy formed was about to be carried into immediate execution; and that, although the king and inhaliitants of Jericlio were fierce and experienced warriors, who would make a stout and determined resistance, tlie Lord promised a certain and easy victory over tiiem. 3-5. Ye sliaJI compass the city, nil ye men of war, , . , thus shnit thou do six days, Ac.—Directions are here given as to the mode of procedure. bonis of jubilee;" i.e., the bent or crooked trumpets with wliicli the jul)ilce was jiroclaimed. It is probable that the horns of this animal were used at first; and thtit afterwards, when metallic trumpets were Introduced, the priniilive name, as well as form of them, was traditionally continu<"d. The design of this whole proceeding was obviously to impress the Cana.'inites with a sense of the Divine omnipotence'—to teach the Israelites a memorai>le lesson of laitli and confidence in God's promises, and to inspire sentiments of respect and reverence for the ark, as the symbol of His presence. The length offline during which those circuits were made tended the more Intensel.v to arrest the attention, and to deepen the impressions, both of the Israelites and the enemy. The numberseven wasamong the Israel-
Is apt to be felt how the rite could have been performed on such a multitude in so short a time. But it has been calculated that the proportion between those already circumcised (under twenty when the doom was pronounced) and those to be circumcised, was one to four, and consequently the whole ceremony could easily have been performed in a day. Circumcision being the sign and seal of the covenant, its pe-formanee was virtually an infeoffment in the promised land, and its being delayed till tlieir actual entrance into the country was a wise and gracious act on the part of God, who postponed this trj'ing duty till the hearts of the people, animated by the recent astonishing rniracle, were prepanvl to obey the Hivine will, they ahode in their places till they were whole —It is calculated that, of those who did not need to be circumcised, more than 50,0(10 were left to defend the camp, if an att.ack had been then made ui)on it. 9. The li Ord said unto Joshua, This day liaT-e I rolled iiway •the reproach of Egypt—The taunts industriously cast ites the .s.ymbollc seal of the covenant between God and their nation. [Keil, Henostenheko.] 0, 7. Joshua called tlie priests—The pious leader, whatever military preparations he had made, surrendered all his own views, at once and unreservedly, to the declared will of God.
bj' that people upon Israel as nalinnaUy rejected by God by the cessation of circumcision, and the renewal of that rite was a practical announcement of the restoration of the covenant. [Keil.] Gllgal—No trace either of the name or site is now to be found; but it was about two miles from Jericho [Josephu.s], and well suit( <l for an encampment by the advantagi'S of shade and water. It was the first plffce pronounced "holy" in the Holy I,and
8-19. The City CoMPAS.SEi> Six Day.s. 8-11. the seven priests hlowing the. seven trumpets passed on before the Lord—before the ark, called " the ark of the covenant," for it contained the tables on which the covenant was inscribed. The procession was made In deep <ind solemn silence, conformably to the Instructions given to tlie people by their leader at the outset, that they were to refrain from all acclamation and noise of an.y kind, imtll he should give tliem a signal. It must have been a strange sight; no mound was raised, no sword drawn, no engine planted, no pioneers undermining—here were armed men, but no strolie given ; they must walk and Lf t fight. Doubtless the people of Jcriclio made themselves merry with the spectacles. [Bishop Hai.i,.] 1:4-11. .Toshiia roso early in the morning, and the priests took up the nrlt of tl»e Lord—The second day's procession seems to
(v. 15). 10. k«)pt the pnssover on the fourteenth day at even—The time fixed by the law(s('e Exodus 12. IS; Levit icus 2'i. 5; Numbers 28.16). Thus the national existence was commenced by a solemn act of religious (U'dication.
11, they did eat of the old corn of the land—Found In storehouses t>f the Inhabitants who had fied into Jericho, parched corn—New grain (see on Leviticus 2'f.
10), probably lying in the fields. Roasted—a simple and prliuitivc preparation, much liked in the East. This 140
The Walls of Jericho Fall Down. JOSHUA VII. The Israelites Smitten al Ai.
Rahab dwellcth in Israel unto tltis day—a proof that have taken pla<!e in the morning. In all other respects, down even to the smallest details, the arrangements of the first day continued to be the rule followed on the otlier tills lioolt was written not long alter tlie events related.
26, 27. The Rebuilber OF Jericho Cursed. 2G. Joshua adjured tliem at tliat time i. e., imposed upon his countrymen a solemn oath, binding on themselves as well as their posterity, that they would never rebuild that city.
six. 15. On tl»e geveiitli day they rose early, about tlie dawning of the day, and compassed tlie city seven times—On account of the seven circuits they had
Its destruction was designed by God to be a permanent memorial of His abhorrence of idolatry and its attendunt to make that day. It is evident, however, that tlie militia only of the Israelites had been called to the march—for it vices. Cursed be the man that riseth >ip and buildcth this city Jcriclio i. e., makes the dai'ing attempt to bui Id. he sliall lay tlie foundation in his tlrst-born, and in his youngest son shall he set >«p tlie gates of it—sh;;ll become childless—tlie first beginning bi-iug marked by the death of his eldest son, and his only surviving child dying at the time of its completion. Tliis curse was accomplished 550 years after its denuiici.ation. (See on 1 Kings 16. 31.)
Is inconceivable that two millions of people could have gone so frequently round the city in a day. 16. it came to pass at the seventh time, Joshua said unto tlte people, Shout 5 for the Lord hntli given you tlie city —Tliis delay brought out their faith and obedience in so remarkable a manner, that it is celebrated by the apostle (Hebrews 11. 30). 17-19. tlie city shall be accursed—(See on Leviticus 27. 28, 29.) The cherem, or anathema, was a devotion to utter destruction (Deuteronomy 7. 2; 20.17; 1 Samuel 15. 3). When such a lan was pronounced against a hostile city, the men and animals were killed—no booty was allowed to be taken ; tlie idols and all the precious ornaments on them were to be burned (Deuteronomy 7.
CHAPTER VII.
Ver. 1. AcHAN's Trespass. 1. Tlie cli Htlrrn of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed tiling—There was one transgressor against tlie chcrern, or ban, on Jericho, and his transgression brougiit the guilt and disgrace of sin upon the wliole nation. Achan—called afterwards Achar (trouble) (1 Chronicles 2. 7). Zabdl—or Ziniri (1 Chronicles 2. C). Zerali—or Zarah, son of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38. 30.) His genealogy is given probably to show that from a parentage so infamous the descendants would not be carefully trained in the fear of God.
25; cf. 1 Clironieles 1-1. 12); everything was either to be destroyed, or consecrated to the sanctuary. .Toshua pronounced tills ban on Jericho, a great and wealthy city, evidently by Divine direction, and tlie severity of the doom, accordant with the requirements of a law which was holy, just, and good, and justified not only by the fact of its inhabitants being part of a race who had filled up their iniquities, but by their resisting the light of the recent astonisliing miracle at the Jordan. Besides, as Jericho seems to liave been defended by reinforcements from all the country (ch. 24. 11), its destruction would paralyze all tlie rest of the devoted people, and tlius tend to
2-20. The Israelites Smitten AT Ai. 2. Joiliua sent men from Jericho to Ai—After the sacking of Jericho, the next step was to penetrate into the hills above. Accordingly, spies went up the mountain pass to view the country. The precise site of Ai, or Hai, is indicated witii sufficient clearness (Genesis 12.8; 13.3), and has been recently discovered in an isolated tell, called Viy the natives Tell-el-hajar, "the mount of stones," at two miles', or thirty-five minutes' distance, east-south-oast from Bethel. [Van de 'Velde.] Bethaven — ("house of vanity")— facilitate the conquest of the land ; showing, as so astounding a military miracle did, that it was done, not by man, but by the power and tlirough the anger of God. 18. and ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing—Generally they were at liberty to take tlie spoil of other cities that were captured (Deuteronomy 2. 35; 3. 7 name afterwards given derisively (Hosea 4. 15; 5.8; 10.5), on account of its idolatries, to Bethel, "house of God," but lierc referred to anotlier place, about six miles ^ast of Bethel, and three north of Ai. 3. L.et not all the people go up, for they are but few—As tlie population of Al amounted to ]2,(!00(ch. 8. 25), it was a considerable town; though in tlie hasty and distant reconnoitre m.ide by tlie spies, it probatjly appeared small in comparison of Jericho, and this may have been the reason of tlieir proposing so small a detachment to capture it. 4, 5. They fled Itefore tlic men of Ai—An unexpected resist.ance, and tlie loss of thirty-six of their number diffused a panic, which ended in an ignominious rout. Chased them from before the gate even unto Sliebariiu i, e., unto the " breakings" or " fissures" at the opening of tlie passes, and smote tlieni in the going down— 1. e., tliedeclivity or slope of the deep, rugged adjoining wady. wherefore the hearts of the people melted ami became as water—It is evident that the troops engaged werea tumult uary.niiilisci plined band, no better skilled in military art'airs than the Bedouin Arabs, who become disheartened and flee on the loss of ten or fifteen men. But the consternation of the Israelites arose from another cause—the evident displcasureof God, who withheld that aid on which they had conliilently reckoned. G-'J. Joshua rent his clutlics and f«'ll to the earth before the ark, lie and tlie elders—It is evident, from those tokens of humiliation and Sorrow, tliat a solemn fast was observed on this occasion. The language of Joshua's prayer is thought by many to savour of liumaii infirmity, and to be wanting in that revert iice and sul)- mission he owed to God. But, although apparently l)reathing a spirit of bold remonstrance and complaint, ch. 8. 27). But this, as tlie first-fruits of Caiiium, was made an exception; nothing was to be spared but Rahab and those in her house. A violation of tliese stringent orders would not only render the guilty persons obnoxious to the curse, but entail distress and adversity upon all
Israel, by provoking the Divine displeasure. Tliese were the instructions given, or repeated (Deuteronomy 13. 17 ;
7. 20), previously to tlie last act of the siege.
20, 21. TiiK Walls Fall Down. tiO, So tlie people shouted when the priests blew witli the trumpets Towards the close of the seventh circuit,, tlie signal was given by Joshua, and on tlie Israelites' raising their loud war-cry, the walls fell down, doubtless burying multitudes of the inhabitants in tlie ruins, while the besiegers, rushmg in, consigned every thing animate and inanimate to Indiscriminate destruction. (Deuteronomy 20. IG, 17.) Jewish writers mention it as an immemorial tradition, that the city fell on the Sabbath. It should be remembered that the Canaanites were incorrigilile idolaters, addicted to the most horrible vices, and that the righteous judgm(?nt of God might sweep them away by the sword, as well iis by famine or pestilence. There w.'is mercy mingl<-(l with Judgment In employing tliesword as tlie-iiistrument of punishing the guilty Canaanitis, for while it was directed against one place, time was aUbrded forotliersto repent.
RaiiAH IH Saved, 93. Joshua said, Go into the harlot's house, and bring out the woman, and all that slie hath—It Is evident that the town walls were not demolished universally, at least all at once, for Hahab's house was allowed to stand until her relatives were resrucit according to proiaise. tliey l>rought out all her kindred, and left them without the camp of Israel— it was in reality the ell'usion of a deeply InimhKd and afflicted mind, expressing his belief tiiilt God could not, after having so miraculously brought His ixojile over Jordan into the promised land, intend to destroy fcheni to expose them to the insults of their trinnipliant eno mies, and bring reproach upon his own mime for incoii stancy or unklndness to His people, or inability to resi» temporary exclusion. In order thatthey might becleansed from the defilement of their native idolatries, and gradually traini'd for admission Into the soc-iety of (foil's people. 24-. Burned the city and all tlierein—except the Bil\ei,gold, and other metals, which, as they would not burn, were added to the treasury of the sanctuary, as.
Achan Con/esseth, and is Pat to Death. JOSHUA VIII. Ai given to the TsraflUen.
their enemies. Unable to understand (he cause of the present calamity, he owned the hand of God. 10-15. the liord said unto Joshua, Get thee nf—The answer of the Divine oracle was to this ef Tect : the crisis is owing not to unfaithfulness in Me, but sin in tlie people. The conditions of the covenant have been violated by the reservation of spoil from the doomed city, wickedness, em phatically called folly, has been committed in Israel (Psalm li. 1), and dissimulation, with other aggravations of the crime, continues to be practised. The people are liable to destruction equally with the accursed nations of Canaan. (Deuteronomy 7. 26.) Means must, without delay, be taken to discover and punish the perpetrator of this trespass, that Israel may be released from the b.an, and things be restored to their former state of prosperity. 16-18. So •Tosliiia rose early, and brought Israel by tribes i. c, before the tabernacle. The lot being appealed to (Proverl)s 16. 33), he proceeded in the inquiry from heads of tribes to heads of families, and from heads of households in succession t o one family, and to particular persons in that family, until the criminal was found to be Achan, who, on Joshua's admonition, confessed the fact of having secreted for his own use, in the floor of his tent, spoil both in garments and money. How di'eadful must have been his feelings when he saw the slow but certain process of discovery! (Numbers 82.23.) 19. Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give glory to God—a form of adjuration to tell the truth. 31. A goodly Babylonish garment—irt., a mantle of Shinar. The plain of Shinar was in early times celebrated for its gorgeous robes, which were of brilliant and various colours, generally arranged in figured patterns, probably resembling those of modern Turkey carpets, and the colours were either interwoven in the loom or embroidered with the needle, two hundred shekels of sliver—equivalent to £22 10.s. sterling, according to the old Mosaic shekel, or the half of that sum, reckoning by the common shekel. A wedge of gold —lit., an ingot or bar in tlie shape of a tongue. 32, 33. Joshua sent messengers, and they ran unto the tent —from impatient eagerness not only to test tlio truth of the story, but to clear Israel from the imputation of guilt.. Having discovered the stolen articles, they laid them out before the Lord, "as a token of their belonging to Him" on account of tlie l)an. 34-36. Joshua, and all Israel -with him, took Achan—himself witli his children and all liis property, cattle as well as movables, were brought into one of the long broad ravines that open into the Ghor, and after being stoned to death (Numbers l/j.
those temj-^r.al benefits, which, on account of sin, n.avfi been withdrawn, or withheld for a time. Josliua, who had been greatly dispirited, was encouraged by a special communication promising him (.seech. 1.6; Deuteronomy 31.
6-8) success in the next attempt, which, however, was tc be conducted on dit Terent principles, take all the people of war witJi thee, and arise, go up to AI—The number of fighting men amounted to 600,000, and the whole force was ordered on this occasion, partly because the spies, in
Jlieir self-confidence, had said tliat a few were sufficient to attack the place {ch.7. 3), partly to dispel any misgivings which the memory of the late disaster might have created, and partly that the circumstance of the first spoil obtained in Canaan being shared amongst all, might operate both as a reward for obedience in refraining from the booty of Jericho, and as an incentive to future exertions. (Deuteronomy 6. 10.) The rest of the people, including the women and children, remained in the camp at Gilgal. Being in the plains of Jericlio, it was an ascent to Ai, which was on a hill. I have given Into thy hand tlie king of AI, and his people, and his city, and liU land . . . lay an ambush for the city—God assured hini of its capture, but allowed him to follow his own tacti in obtaining the possession. 3. So Joshua . . . chose out thirty thousand men of valour—Joshua despatched 30,000 men under cover of night, to station themselves at the place appointed for the ambuscade. Out of this number a detachment of 5000 were sent forward to conceal themselves in the immediate precincts of the town, in order to seize the first opportunity of throwing themselves into it. 4r. behind the city—is rendered (i'.9) "on the west of Ai." between Bctli-el and AI—Beth-el, though lying quite near in the direction of west by north, cannot be seen from Tell-el-h.ajar ; two rocky heights rise between both places, in the wady El-Murogede, just as the laying of an ambush to the west of Ai would require. [Van DE Velde, Robinson.] 10. Joshua numbered tlie people—J. c, the detachment of liers-in-wait; he did this, to be furnished with clear evidence afterwards, that the work had been done without any loss of men, whereby the people's confidence in God would be strongtliened, and encouragement given them to prosecute the war of invasion with vigour, he and the elders of Israel—the chief magistrates and rulers, wlioise presence and otficial authority were necessary to ensure that the cattle and spoil of the city might be equally divided betwixt the combatants and the rest of the people (Numbers .31. 27)—a military rule in Israel, that would have been very liable to be infringed, if an excited soldiery, eager for booty, had been left to their own will. 11-14. Tliere was a valley (lit., the valley) between them and AI, Joshua went that night into the ntldst of tite valley The deep and steep-sided glen to the north of Tell-el-hajar, into wliicli one looks down from the tell, fully agrees with this account. [Van DE VElyDE.] Joshua himself took up his position on the north side of " the ravine"—the deep chasm of the wady El-Murogede, " tJiat night"—means, while it was dark, probably after midnight, or very early In the morning. (John 20. 1.) The king of Ai, in the early dawn, rouses liis slumbering subjects, and makes a hasty sally with nil his people who wci'e capable of bearing arms, once more to surprise and annihilate them, at a time appointed —either an hour concocted between the king and people of AI and those of Beth-el, who were confederates in this enterprise, or perhaps they had fixed on the same time of
30-35), his corpse, with all belonging to him, was consumed to ashes bj' fire. "All Israel" were present, not only as spectators, but active agents, as many ,as possil)le, in inflicting the punishment—thus testifying their abhorrence of the sacrilege, and their intense solicitude to regain the Divine favour. As the Divine law expressly forbade the children to be put to death for their father's sins (Deuteronomy 24.16), the conveyance of Achan's "sons and daugliters" to the place of execution might be only as Bpectators, that they might take warning Ijy the parental fate; or, if they shared his puiilsliment (ch. 22. 20), tliey had prolialjly been accomplices in liis crime, and, indeed, he could scarcely have dug a hole witliin liis tent without his family being privy to it. They raised over him a great heap of stones—It is customary to raise cairn.s over the graves of criminals or Infamous persons In tlie East still. The name of that place was called, The valley of Achor (trouble) unto this day—.So painful an episode would give notoriety to tlie spot, and It is more tliaii oiu-e noticed by the sacred writers of a later age. (Isaiah 6r>. 10; HoseaZ. 15.)
d.iy, as they had fought successfully against Israel on the former occasion, deeming It a lucky hour. (Judges 20. 38.) but he wist not tikat there were Ilerg In nmbush against him behind the city— It Is evident that this king and his subjects were little experienced in war, otherwise they would have sent out scouts to reconnoitre the neighbourhood; at all events, would not have left their town wholly unprotejtfd and open. Perhaps an ambuscade may have been a war stratagem hitherto unknown in that country, and amongst that people. 15-17. Joshua and all Israel made as If they were beaten before them—the pretended flight In the direction of the wilderness—I. e., south-east, into the Ohor, the deseil
CHAPTER VIII.
Vor. 1-28. God Encouragetii .Ioshua. 1. The Irf>rd said unto Joshua, Pear not.—By the execution of Justice on -Vciian, tlie Divine wrath was averted, the Israelites were ri'assiued, defeat was succeeded by victory; and thus the case of Ai airords a striking example of God's disciplinary governrtient, in which chastisements for sin are often made to pave the way for the bestowineut of 148