And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, even behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:
Joshua gave them orders, saying, 'Listen, you will hide and wait to ambush the city from behind it. Don't go too far away from the city, but everyone be ready.'
Joshua is giving his soldiers specific instructions to position themselves strategically behind the enemy city, staying close and being prepared for battle.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Joshua, the Israelites were in the midst of conquering the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership after their exodus from Egypt. This verse occurs during the second attempt to capture the city of Ai, following an earlier defeat caused by sin in the camp, as God had instructed Joshua on a new battle strategy involving an ambush. Joshua's command reflects the military tactics used in ancient warfare, emphasizing surprise and readiness in the context of God's directed conquest.
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