So Joshua arose, and all the people of war, to go up against Ai: and Joshua chose out thirty thousand mighty men of valour, and sent them away by night.
So Joshua got up, along with all his fighting men, to attack the city of Ai. Joshua selected thirty thousand of his strongest and most courageous warriors and sent them out during the night.
Joshua is preparing for battle by carefully selecting his best warriors and positioning them strategically under cover of darkness.
📚 Historical Context
The Book of Joshua describes the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership after Moses' death, as part of God's fulfillment of His covenant with Abraham. In the previous chapter, the Israelites suffered a defeat at Ai due to Achan's sin, which led to God's judgment, but after repentance, God provided a new strategy for victory. This verse shows Joshua mobilizing a large force for a surprise attack, reflecting the military tactics used in ancient Near Eastern warfare.
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