And the king of Ai he hanged on a tree until eventide: and as soon as the sun was down, Joshua commanded that they should take his carcase down from the tree, and cast it at the entering of the gate of the city, and raise thereon a great heap of stones, that remaineth unto this day.
Joshua had the king of Ai hanged on a tree until evening. As soon as the sun went down, Joshua ordered his men to take the body down from the tree and throw it at the entrance of the city gate. Then they piled a large heap of stones over it, which remains there to this day.
Joshua executed the king of Ai and buried his body under a pile of stones at the city gate as a lasting reminder of God's judgment.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred during Israel's conquest of the Promised Land around 1400 BC, after their victory over the city of Ai. According to Jewish law, executed bodies had to be taken down before sunset to avoid defiling the land. The stone heap served as a memorial marker, a common practice in ancient times to commemorate significant events.
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