KJV ORIGINAL
Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
The Israelites only took the livestock and valuables from that city as their reward, just as the LORD had instructed Joshua.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
God allowed the Israelites to keep the animals and treasures from the city they conquered, following His specific instructions.
📚 Historical Context
This verse refers to the conquest of Ai, the second Canaanite city Israel captured after crossing the Jordan River. Unlike at Jericho where everything was to be destroyed or devoted to God's treasury, God specifically permitted Israel to take spoils from Ai as compensation for their military efforts. This was part of God's strategic plan for Israel's gradual settlement of the Promised Land.
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