Hebrew Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The Book of Joshua, Chapter 8יהושע 8

Each verse opens with the running Hebrew, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case/state or parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

Theme

Ai falls by ambush and reversal: after Achan, 'do not fear' launches a battle in which the city is left open, taken at the javelin signal, and made a tell forever, its king buried by sunset per the law. Then the sword yields to the scroll — on Ebal Joshua builds the altar, writes the torah's copy, and reads every word to all Israel, sojourner and native alike.

Translation & textual notes

The chapter follows the Westminster Leningrad Codex without major MT-internal disturbance, but it carries two Kethiv/Qere readings and two celebrated critical cruxes. At v.11 the consonantal text writes בינו where the Qere reads בֵּינָיו ('between it'), and at v.16 the Kethiv בעיר ('in the city') stands beside the Qere בָּעַי ('in Ai'); OSHB prints both tokens in each case, and both are annotated here. The ambush numbers form a long-standing tension: v.3 sends thirty thousand men by night, while v.12 posts 'about five thousand' between Bethel and Ai — read variously as a restatement of a detachment from the larger force, a distinct second ambush, or a corrupted figure. The LXX of Joshua runs noticeably shorter in this chapter (lacking, e.g., 'and Bethel' in v.17 and much of the overloaded deployment notices of vv.11b-13, whose MT Hebrew is itself syntactically strained). The largest question attaches to the Ebal pericope (vv.30-35): the LXX places it after 9:2, and 4QJosh-a attests it before 5:1, immediately after the Jordan crossing — three ancient locations for one paragraph, evidence that the covenant-ceremony unit was movable in the book's transmission. The MT's placement, directly after the Ai ḥerem, is the text annotated here. Versification follows the MT.

1

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֤ה אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙ אַל תִּירָ֣א וְאַל תֵּחָ֔ת קַ֣ח עִמְּךָ֗ אֵ֚ת כָּל עַ֣ם הַמִּלְחָמָ֔ה וְק֖וּם עֲלֵ֣ה הָעָ֑י רְאֵ֣ה נָתַ֣תִּי בְיָדְךָ֗ אֶת מֶ֤לֶךְ הָעַי֙ וְאֶת עַמּ֔וֹ וְאֶת עִיר֖וֹ וְאֶת אַרְצֽוֹ

Then YHWH said to Joshua, 'Do not fear or be dismayed. Take with you all the fighting people, and arise, go up to Ai. See, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land.'

Narrative wayyiqtol resuming the main storylineוַ
Direct divine speech opens the chapter, resetting the campaign after the Achan crisis of ch. 7. The paired prohibition 'do not fear/be dismayed' echoes 1:9 and directly answers the demoralization of 7:5, while the command to take 'all the fighting people' contrasts with the small force of 7:3-4.
Word-by-word analysis· 29 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidQal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; the standard verb introducing direct speech — here YHWH's reset command to Joshua after the Achan crisis of ch. 7.
יְהוָ֤הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; subject of the speech-act verb, underscoring divine initiative in resuming the campaign.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; introduces the recipient of the divine speech.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙Joshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition אֶל (addressee)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; Moses' successor, commander of Israel.
אַלdo notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Negative particle (prohibition with jussive)אַל (H408), negative particle used with the jussive for prohibitions (contrast indicative לֹא); forbids incipient fear, echoing 1:9.
תִּירָ֣אfearQal jussive 2ms · יָרֵא (H3372)Predicate verb (prohibition, jussive)→ Volitional: jussive prohibition — do not begin to fearיָרֵא (H3372) 'to fear'; Qal jussive 2ms after אַל forms a vetitive prohibition, directly answering the fear that followed the Ai defeat (7:5).
וְאַלand do notconj וְ + negative particle · אַל (H408)Coordinating conjunction + negative particle (second prohibition)וְ joins the second prohibition; אַל (H408) negative with jussive, see previous word.
תֵּחָ֔תbe dismayedNiphal jussive 2ms · חָתַת (H2865)Predicate verb (prohibition, jussive)→ Volitional: jussive prohibition — do not be shattered/dismayedחָתַת (H2865) 'to be shattered, dismayed, terrified'; Niphal jussive 2ms, stock pair with יָרֵא (cf. 1:9); the reset after Israel's panic at Ai (7:5).
קַ֣חtakeQal impv 2ms · לָקַח (H3947)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: imperative commandלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; Qal imperative 2ms opening the tactical instructions — take the full army, unlike the token force of 7:3-4.
עִמְּךָ֗with youprep עִם + 2ms suffix · עִם (H5973)Prepositional phrase (accompaniment)עִם (H5973) 'with' + 2ms suffix; marks accompaniment — the whole army goes with Joshua this time.
אֵ֚ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking כָּל עַם הַמִּלְחָמָה as the definite direct object of קַח.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival), head of כָּל עַם הַמִּלְחָמָהכֹּל (H3605) 'all, whole'; construct governing עַם הַמִּלְחָמָה, 'all the people of war' — the entire fighting force.
עַ֣םthe people ofN m sg constr · עַם (H5971)Construct chain (genitival), governed by כָּלעַם (H5971) 'people'; construct before הַמִּלְחָמָה, 'people of the war' = the fighting men.
הַמִּלְחָמָ֔הthe warart + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Direct object (genitive of the construct chain, completing כָּל עַם)מִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle', with article; 'the people of the war' denotes all fighting men — contrast the small strike-force of ch. 7.
וְק֖וּםand ariseconj וְ + Qal impv 2ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (imperative, coordinate)→ Volitional: imperative commandקוּם (H6965) 'to arise'; Qal imperative 2ms paired with עֲלֵה, a stock idiom for launching a campaign (cf. 1:2).
עֲלֵ֣הgo upQal impv 2ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (imperative, coordinate)→ Volitional: imperative commandעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; Qal imperative 2ms; Ai lies in the hill country, hence 'go up'.
הָעָ֑יAiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Locative object/adverbial accusative of עֲלֵההָעַי (H5857) 'Ai' ('the ruin-heap'), with article; the town where Israel was earlier defeated (ch. 7).
רְאֵ֣הseeQal impv 2ms · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: imperative command — attend to what followsרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Qal imperative 2ms, rhetorical 'behold/see' introducing the divine grant that follows.
נָתַ֣תִּיI have givenQal perf 1cs · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause, perfect of certainty)→ Perfective (prophetic/certitude perfect): the still-future victory stated as already accomplishedנָתַן (H5414) 'to give'; Qal perfect 1cs, a 'perfect of confidence' — the outcome is as good as done, as in 6:2.
בְיָדְךָ֗into your handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2ms suffix · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase (indirect object, goal)יָד (H3027) 'hand', with prep בְּ + 2ms suffix; idiom נָתַן בְּיַד 'give into the hand of' = grant total control/victory.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת/אֶת (H853), marks מֶלֶךְ הָעַי as the first of four definite objects of נָתַתִּי.
מֶ֤לֶךְthe king ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct chain (genitival), head of fourfold object listמֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct before הָעַי, first in the fourfold grant — king, people, city, land.
הָעַי֙Aiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Genitive (construct chain, completing מֶלֶךְ)הָעַי (H5857), see v.1; 'the king of Ai'.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ joins the second object; אֵת marks עַמּוֹ as definite.
עַמּ֔וֹhis peopleN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Direct object (second item in the list)עַם (H5971) 'people' + 3ms suffix, 'his people' — the population of Ai.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (third object)וְ + אֵת, marking עִירוֹ as the third definite object.
עִיר֖וֹhis cityN f sg constr + 3ms suffix · עִיר (H5892)Direct object (third item in the list)עִיר (H5892) 'city' + 3ms suffix, 'his city' — Ai itself.
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fourth object)וְ + אֵת marking אַרְצוֹ as the fourth and final definite object.
אַרְצֽוֹhis landN c sg constr + 3ms suffix · אֶרֶץ (H776)Direct object (fourth item in the list)אֶרֶץ (H776) 'land, territory' + 3ms suffix; completes the fourfold grant — king, people, city, land — total dominion given to Israel.
2

וְעָשִׂ֨יתָ לָעַ֜י וּלְמַלְכָּ֗הּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר עָשִׂ֤יתָ לִֽירִיחוֹ֙ וּלְמַלְכָּ֔הּ רַק שְׁלָלָ֥הּ וּבְהֶמְתָּ֖הּ תָּבֹ֣זּוּ לָכֶ֑ם שִׂים לְךָ֥ אֹרֵ֛ב לָעִ֖יר מֵאַחֲרֶֽיהָ

And you shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king; only its spoil and its livestock you may plunder for yourselves. Set an ambush for the city, behind it.

Weqatal continuation of the divine commandוְ
YHWH's command continues with the crucial legal exception: unlike Jericho, whose spoil and livestock fell under total ḥerem (6:17-21), Ai's plunder is explicitly permitted to Israel — removing for this second campaign the very temptation (illicit private taking from a devoted city) that caused Achan's sin. The verse closes with the tactical order to set an ambush, introducing the chapter's central strategy.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וְעָשִׂ֨יתָand you shall doconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the command)→ Weqatal: volitional continuation of the imperative sequenceעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make'; weqatal 2ms continuing the string of commands from v.1 with imperatival force.
לָעַ֜יto Aiprep לְ + art + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Prepositional phrase (indirect object)עַי (H5857), see v.1; with prep לְ and article, target of the prescribed treatment.
וּלְמַלְכָּ֗הּand to its kingconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr + 3fs suffix · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Conjunction + prepositional phrase (indirect object, coordinate)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king' + 3fs suffix (referring to Ai as feminine city-name), with לְ; 'and to its king'.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨רjust asprep כְּ + relative · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing subordinate clauseכַּאֲשֶׁר (k + H834) 'just as, according as'; introduces the Jericho precedent as the standard of comparison.
עָשִׂ֤יתָyou didQal perf 2ms · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (subordinate comparative clause)→ Perfective: a completed past act (the Jericho campaign)עָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do'; Qal perfect 2ms recalling Joshua's execution of ḥerem against Jericho in ch. 6.
לִֽירִיחוֹ֙to Jerichoprep לְ + proper noun · יְרִיחוֹ (H3405)Prepositional phrase (indirect object)יְרִיחוֹ (H3405) 'Jericho'; with prep לְ, the city under total ḥerem-ban in ch. 6.
וּלְמַלְכָּ֔הּand to its kingconj וְ + prep לְ + N m sg constr + 3fs suffix · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Conjunction + prepositional phrase (indirect object, coordinate)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) + 3fs suffix + לְ; the king of Jericho, likewise devoted to destruction (cf. 6:2).
רַקonlyrestrictive particle · רַק (H7535)Restrictive particle marking the exception clauseרַק (H7535) 'only, surely'; introduces the crucial exception to the Jericho precedent — spoil and cattle here are NOT under total ḥerem, unlike Jericho's ban (6:18-19,21).
שְׁלָלָ֥הּits spoilN m sg constr + 3fs suffix · שָׁלָל (H7998)Direct object (fronted for emphasis before the verb)שָׁלָל (H7998) 'spoil, plunder' + 3fs suffix; fronted as the first of two items now explicitly permitted, marking the deliberate contrast with Jericho's total ḥerem.
וּבְהֶמְתָּ֖הּand its livestockconj וְ + N f sg constr + 3fs suffix · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Direct object (fronted, coordinate with שְׁלָלָהּ)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, livestock' + 3fs suffix; second permitted item — at Jericho even the animals were put to the sword (6:21), but at Ai they may be kept.
תָּבֹ֣זּוּyou may plunderQal impf 2mp · בָּזַז (H962)Predicate verb (main clause, permissive imperfect)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — permission grantedבָּזַז (H962) 'to plunder, take as spoil'; Qal imperfect 2mp with permissive/modal nuance, 'you may take as plunder' — explicit divine license withheld at Jericho.
לָכֶ֑םfor yourselvesprep לְ + 2mp suffix · לְPrepositional phrase (dative of advantage)לְ + 2mp suffix; dative of advantage — the plunder benefits the people themselves, unlike Jericho's spoil, which went into YHWH's treasury (6:19,24).
שִׂיםsetQal impv 2ms · שִׂים (H7760)Predicate verb (imperative, new command)→ Volitional: imperative commandשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, set, place'; Qal imperative 2ms introducing the ambush order — the chapter's central tactical innovation.
לְךָ֥for yourselfprep לְ + 2ms suffix · לְPrepositional phrase (ethical dative/reflexive)לְ + 2ms suffix; ethical dative reinforcing Joshua's personal responsibility to arrange the ambush.
אֹרֵ֛בan ambushQal ptc m sg abs · אָרַב (H693)Direct object (substantival participle)→ Participle: durative/characterizing — 'one lying in wait,' used substantivally for the ambush forceאָרַב (H693) 'to lie in wait, ambush'; Qal active participle used as a noun, 'an ambush/ambushers' — the stratagem answering the failed frontal assault of ch. 7.
לָעִ֖ירagainst the cityprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Prepositional phrase (object of the ambush)עִיר (H5892) 'city', with article and prep לְ; the city is Ai, referent throughout the tactical brief.
מֵאַחֲרֶֽיהָbehind itprep מִן + prep אַחַר + 3fs suffix · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (locative, specifying ambush position)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind', doubled with מִן and 3fs suffix, 'from behind it' — the ambush is positioned on the city's rear side, per vv.9,12.
3

וַיָּ֧קָם יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ וְכָל עַ֥ם הַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה לַעֲל֣וֹת הָעָ֑י וַיִּבְחַ֣ר יְ֠הוֹשֻׁעַ שְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים אֶ֤לֶף אִישׁ֙ גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י הַחַ֔יִל וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֖ם לָֽיְלָה

So Joshua and all the fighting people arose to go up to Ai. And Joshua chose thirty thousand mighty men of valor and sent them by night.

Wayyiqtol narrative sequence, obedient response to vv.1-2וַ
Joshua's action fulfills the divine command of vv.1-2: the full army arises, matching 'all the fighting people' of v.1, and Joshua personally selects an elite force of 30,000 for the night ambush. This figure creates a well-known numerical tension with the 5,000 of v.12 (a classic MT crux, often explained as two groups or as a scribal issue); here it simply signals a substantial force, deliberately contrasting the token 3,000 of the failed first assault (7:3-4).
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַיָּ֧קָםand he aroseQal wayyiqtol 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקוּם (H6965) 'to arise'; Qal wayyiqtol 3ms, narrating Joshua's compliance — obedient response to the divine imperative קוּם of v.1.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיָּקָםיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091), see v.1.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival), coordinate subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all', construct, coordinated with יְהוֹשֻׁעַ as compound subject.
עַ֥םthe people ofN m sg constr · עַם (H5971)Construct chain (genitival), governed by כָּלעַם (H5971) 'people', construct before הַמִּלְחָמָה — 'all the people of war,' the entire fighting force (contrast the 3,000 of 7:3).
הַמִּלְחָמָ֖הthe warart + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Genitive completing the construct chainמִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle', see v.1; the full army now musters, correcting the under-manned assault of ch. 7.
לַעֲל֣וֹתto go upprep לְ + Qal inf constr · עָלָה (H5927)Purpose infinitive construct with לְ→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result of the risingעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up'; Qal infinitive construct with לְ expressing purpose, 'in order to go up' to Ai.
הָעָ֑יAiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Locative object/adverbial accusative of לַעֲלוֹתהָעַי (H5857), see v.1.
וַיִּבְחַ֣רand he choseQal wayyiqtol 3ms · בָּחַר (H977)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבָּחַר (H977) 'to choose, select'; Qal wayyiqtol 3ms — Joshua personally selects the strike force for the ambush.
יְ֠הוֹשֻׁעַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיִּבְחַריְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091), repeated for emphasis as agent of the tactical decision.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֨יםthirtycardinal num c pl abs · שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970)Numeral modifying אֶלֶף (part of numeral phrase, object of וַיִּבְחַר)שְׁלֹשִׁים (H7970) 'thirty'; cardinal numeral, 'thirty thousand' — a figure often noted for its tension with the 5,000 of v.12, a well-known text-critical crux in this chapter.
אֶ֤לֶףthousandcardinal num c sg abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Numeral, head of the numeral phrase (direct object)אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand' (or possibly a military/clan unit); with שְׁלֹשִׁים, 'thirty thousand' — the large ambush contingent chosen here.
אִישׁ֙menN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Direct object (head noun, in apposition to numeral)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; collective/distributive noun after the numeral, 'thirty thousand men'.
גִּבּוֹרֵ֣יmighty ones ofadj m pl constr · גִּבּוֹר (H1368)Construct chain (genitival), modifying אִישׁגִּבּוֹר (H1368) 'mighty, valiant'; construct plural before הַחַיִל, 'mighty men of valor' — an elite designation.
הַחַ֔יִלvalorart + N m sg abs · חַיִל (H2428)Genitive completing the construct chainחַיִל (H2428) 'strength, valor, army'; with article, stock phrase גִּבּוֹרֵי הַחַיִל, 'mighty men of valor,' elite warriors.
וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֖םand he sent themQal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix, dispatching the chosen force under cover of darkness.
לָֽיְלָהby nightN m sg abs (adverbial) · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial accusative of timeלַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; unmarked accusative of time, 'by night' — the ambush force departs under cover of darkness to remain undetected.
4

וַיְצַ֨ו אֹתָ֜ם לֵאמֹ֗ר רְ֠אוּ אַתֶּ֞ם אֹרְבִ֤ים לָעִיר֙ מֵאַחֲרֵ֣י הָעִ֔יר אַל תַּרְחִ֥יקוּ מִן הָעִ֖יר מְאֹ֑ד וִהְיִיתֶ֥ם כֻּלְּכֶ֖ם נְכֹנִֽים

And he commanded them, saying, 'See, you are to lie in ambush against the city, behind the city. Do not go very far from the city, and all of you be ready.'

Wayyiqtol narrative sequence introducing Joshua's direct speechוַ
Joshua's own tactical briefing begins here, echoing YHWH's imperative style from vv.1-2 (רְאוּ answers רְאֵה). The instructions are precise: position close behind the city, remain undetected, and stay in constant readiness — the ambush's success depends on discipline and proximity.
Word-by-word analysis· 17 words
וַיְצַ֨וand he commandedPiel wayyiqtol 3ms · צָוָה (H6680)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceצָוָה (H6680) 'to command'; Piel wayyiqtol 3ms, introducing Joshua's direct orders to the ambush force.
אֹתָ֜ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (direct object of וַיְצַו)אֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix, marking the ambush force as the object commanded.
לֵאמֹ֗רsayingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · אָמַר (H559)Infinitive construct introducing direct speech→ Infinitive construct: introduces quoted discourseאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Qal infinitive construct with לְ, the standard formula opening direct speech.
רְ֠אוּseeQal impv 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause)→ Volitional: imperative commandרָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; Qal imperative 2mp, attention-getting opener to the ambush instructions (cf. רְאֵה in v.1).
אַתֶּ֞םyouindep pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (independent pronoun, resumptive before participle)אַתֶּם (H859) independent 2mp pronoun; fronted for emphasis, resuming as subject of the participial clause אֹרְבִים.
אֹרְבִ֤יםlying in ambushQal ptc m pl abs · אָרַב (H693)Predicate participle (main clause, instructional)→ Participle: durative/instructional — the ongoing posture they are to assumeאָרַב (H693) 'to lie in wait'; Qal active participle mp, functioning as a predicate of instruction, 'you are to be ambushers/lying in wait'.
לָעִיר֙against the cityprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Prepositional phrase (object of the ambush posture)עִיר (H5892) 'city', with article and prep לְ; Ai, the ambush target.
מֵאַחֲרֵ֣יfrom behindprep מִן + prep אַחַר · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (locative, specifying ambush position)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind' doubled with מִן; 'from behind' the city — the ambush's precise position, matching v.2's מֵאַחֲרֶיהָ.
הָעִ֔ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition מֵאַחֲרֵיעִיר (H5892) 'city', with article; Ai.
אַלdo notnegative particle · אַל (H408)Negative particle (prohibition with jussive/imperfect)אַל (H408), negative with the following jussive-form verb, forbidding excessive distance from the city.
תַּרְחִ֥יקוּgo farHiphil jussive 2mp · רָחַק (H7368)Predicate verb (prohibition, jussive)→ Volitional: jussive prohibition — do not go very farרָחַק (H7368) 'to be far, go far'; Hiphil jussive 2mp, causative 'make yourselves far'; the ambush must stay close enough to strike on cue.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source/separation)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks separation, 'far from the city'.
הָעִ֖ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition מִןעִיר (H5892) 'city', with article; Ai, repeated for precision in the tactical brief.
מְאֹ֑דveryadverb · מְאֹד (H3966)Adverb intensifying תַּרְחִיקוּמְאֹד (H3966) 'very, exceedingly'; adverbial intensifier, 'do not go very far'.
וִהְיִיתֶ֥םand you shall beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 2mp · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal continuing the command)→ Weqatal: volitional continuation of the instruction sequenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; weqatal 2mp continuing the imperatival force, 'and be ready'.
כֻּלְּכֶ֖םall of youN m sg constr + 2mp suffix · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (appositional emphasis, resuming the addressees)כֹּל (H3605) 'all' + 2mp suffix, 'all of you'; emphatic totality — every member of the ambush party, no exceptions.
נְכֹנִֽיםreadyNiphal ptc m pl abs · כּוּן (H3559)Predicate complement (participle, with וִהְיִיתֶם)→ Participle: stative/resultative — a settled state of readinessכּוּן (H3559) 'to be firm, established, ready'; Niphal participle mp, predicate after הָיָה, 'be in a state of readiness' — alert and prepared to spring the trap.
5

וַאֲנִ֗י וְכָל הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתִּ֔י נִקְרַ֖ב אֶל הָעִ֑יר וְהָיָ֗ה כִּֽי יֵצְא֤וּ לִקְרָאתֵ֨נוּ֙ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֔ה וְנַ֖סְנוּ לִפְנֵיהֶֽם

And I and all the people who are with me will approach the city, and when they come out to meet us, as at the first, we will flee before them.

Continuation of Joshua's speech — his own decoy role in the planוַ
Joshua explains his own part: he and the main body will approach Ai and then stage a retreat 'as at the first,' deliberately re-enacting the pattern of Israel's earlier defeat (7:4-5) as bait to draw the garrison out, setting up the ambush's strike.
Word-by-word analysis· 16 words
וַאֲנִ֗יand Iconj וְ + indep pronoun 1cs · אֲנִי (H589)Subject (independent pronoun, coordinate/fronted)אֲנִי (H589) independent 1cs pronoun with conjunction; fronted, emphatic subject beginning Joshua's own role in the ruse.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct chain (genitival), coordinate subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all', construct, coordinated with אֲנִי as compound subject, 'I and all the people'.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg abs · עָם (H5971)Genitive completing the construct chainעָם (H5971) 'people', with article; the main body accompanying Joshua (distinct from the 30,000-strong ambush force).
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing relative clause modifying הָעָםאֲשֶׁר (H834), relative pronoun/particle, 'who' — introduces אִתִּי, 'who are with me'.
אִתִּ֔יwith meprep אֵת + 1cs suffix · אֵת (H854)Predicate of the relative clause (prepositional phrase)אֵת/אִתִּי (H854) 'with' + 1cs suffix; marks the main body as accompanying Joshua directly (contrast the ambush force, hidden behind the city).
נִקְרַ֖בwe will approachQal impf 1cp · קָרַב (H7126)Predicate verb (main clause, main line of the plan)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — future intention within the tactical planקָרַב (H7126) 'to approach, draw near'; Qal imperfect 1cp — Joshua's decoy force will advance on the city to draw the defenders out.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal of approach)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the city as the goal of the approach.
הָעִ֑ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition אֶלעִיר (H5892) 'city', with article; Ai, target of the feigned approach.
וְהָיָ֗הand it will beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (weqatal, apodosis-introducing formula)→ Weqatal: sets up a future contingent sequence ('and it shall come about that…')הָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; weqatal 3ms, the classic formula introducing a future temporal/conditional clause.
כִּֽיwhenconj (temporal) · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing temporal clauseכִּי (H3588) here temporal, 'when'; introduces the anticipated enemy sortie.
יֵצְא֤וּthey come outQal impf 3mp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (subordinate temporal clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — anticipated future actionיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Qal imperfect 3mp, the men of Ai sallying out of the city to engage.
לִקְרָאתֵ֨נוּ֙to meet usprep לְ + Qal inf constr + 1cp suffix · קְרָאת (H7125)Purpose infinitival phrase (object of יֵצְאוּ)→ Infinitive construct: purpose — 'to meet us,' the enemy's intended engagementקְרָאת (H7125) Qal infinitive construct with לְ + 1cp suffix, idiom לִקְרַאת 'to meet, against' — the men of Ai come out to engage Israel's decoy force.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣רasprep כְּ + relative · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing comparisonכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as'; sets up the crucial comparison with the earlier defeat.
בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֔הas at the firstprep בְּ + art + adj f sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Adverbial complement of comparison (temporal)רִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former', fem. with article and prep בְּ, 'as at the first time'; a pointed echo of Israel's earlier rout before Ai in 7:4-5 — the ruse re-enacts that defeat as bait.
וְנַ֖סְנוּand we will fleeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1cp · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb (weqatal, main line of the plan)→ Weqatal: volitional/future continuation — the planned feigned flightנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; Qal weqatal 1cp — the deliberate, staged flight that will lure the defenders away from the city, in contrast to the real, panicked flight of 7:4.
לִפְנֵיהֶֽםbefore themprep לְ + N c pl constr + 3mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (locative, 'from before them')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face', construct + 3mp suffix with prep לְ, idiom לִפְנֵי 'before, in front of'; 'flee before them' = retreat as they advance.
6

וְיָצְא֣וּ אַחֲרֵ֗ינוּ עַ֣ד הַתִּיקֵ֤נוּ אוֹתָם֙ מִן הָעִ֔יר כִּ֣י יֹֽאמְר֔וּ נָסִ֣ים לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֑ה וְנַ֖סְנוּ לִפְנֵיהֶֽם

And they will come out after us until we have drawn them away from the city, for they will say, 'They are fleeing before us as at the first.' So we will flee before them.

Weqatal continuation, elaborating the enemy's expected (mistaken) responseוְ
The verse dramatizes the enemy's perspective with irony: the men of Ai will read Israel's staged retreat through the memory of their real earlier victory ('as at the first', echoing v.5), never suspecting the trap. Verses 5-6 form a tight repetition (וְנַסְנוּ לִפְנֵיהֶם bookending both), underscoring how central the feigned-flight tactic is to the plan.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְיָצְא֣וּand they will come outconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (weqatal, main line of the plan)→ Weqatal: future/volitional continuation — the anticipated enemy pursuitיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; Qal weqatal 3cp, the men of Ai's expected sortie in pursuit of the fleeing decoys.
אַחֲרֵ֗ינוּafter usprep אַחַר + 1cp suffix · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional phrase (locative, pursuit)אַחַר (H310) 'after' + 1cp suffix; marks the anticipated pursuit — the enemy chasing what they take to be a routed Israel.
עַ֣דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Subordinating preposition introducing temporal clauseעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; introduces the temporal limit of the feigned flight.
הַתִּיקֵ֤נוּwe draw them awayHiphil inf constr + 1cp suffix · נָתַק (H5423)Temporal infinitival clause (object of עַד)→ Infinitive construct: temporal limit — 'until we have drawn them away'נָתַק (H5423) 'to pull away, draw off'; Hiphil infinitive construct + 1cp suffix, causative, 'until we cause them to be drawn away' from the city — the decoy's tactical goal.
אוֹתָם֙[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker + suffix (object of הַתִּיקֵנוּ)אֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix, marking 'them' (the men of Ai) as the object drawn away from the city.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (separation, source)מִן (H4480) 'from'; marks separation — drawn away from the city, leaving it undefended for the ambush.
הָעִ֔ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition מִןעִיר (H5892) 'city', with article; Ai — the objective is to empty it of defenders.
כִּ֣יforconj (causal) · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the reason/quoted thoughtכִּי (H3588) here causal, 'for, because'; introduces the defenders' own (mistaken) reasoning.
יֹֽאמְר֔וּthey will sayQal impf 3mp · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (subordinate causal clause)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — anticipated future speech/thoughtאָמַר (H559) 'to say'; Qal imperfect 3mp, representing the defenders' internal (mistaken) conclusion — dramatic irony, since the reader knows it is a ruse.
נָסִ֣יםfleeingQal ptc m pl abs · נוּס (H5127)Predicate complement (participle, quoted speech)→ Participle: durative — describing the (feigned) ongoing state of flightנוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; Qal active participle mp, the defenders' verdict on what they see, 'they are fleeing' — precisely echoing the real flight of 7:4.
לְפָנֵ֔ינוּbefore usprep לְ + N c pl constr + 1cp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (locative, 'from before us')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face' construct + 1cp suffix with לְ, idiom 'before us' — from the defenders' perspective, watching Israel retreat.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֖רasprep כְּ + relative · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative conjunction introducing comparisonכַּאֲשֶׁר (H834) 'just as'; repeats the pointed comparison to the earlier defeat, now voiced (in irony) by the enemy themselves.
בָּרִֽאשֹׁנָ֑הat the firstprep בְּ + art + adj f sg abs · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Adverbial complement of comparison (temporal)רִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first, former', see v.5; the men of Ai will interpret the feigned flight through the lens of their earlier real victory — precisely what the ruse exploits.
וְנַ֖סְנוּand we will fleeconj וְ + Qal weqatal 1cp · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb (weqatal, main line of the plan, resumptive)→ Weqatal: volitional/future continuation — the staged flight, resumed from v.5נוּס (H5127) 'to flee'; Qal weqatal 1cp, repeating v.5's verb almost verbatim — the plan's key move restated for emphasis before the ambush springs (v.7).
לִפְנֵיהֶֽםbefore themprep לְ + N c pl constr + 3mp suffix · פָּנִים (H6440)Prepositional phrase (locative, 'from before them')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face' construct + 3mp suffix with לְ; identical phrase to v.5, framing the repeated instruction as a tight inclusio around the description of the ruse.
7

וְאַתֶּ֗ם תָּקֻ֨מוּ֙ מֵהָ֣אוֹרֵ֔ב וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּ֖ם אֶת הָעִ֑יר וּנְתָנָ֛הּ יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖ם בְּיֶדְכֶֽם

Then you shall rise up from the ambush and take possession of the city, for YHWH your God will give it into your hand.

Adversative/contrastive coordination — the ambush party's cue, contrasted with the decoys' flight (vv.5-6)וְ
This is the tactical payoff of the entire plan: once the city is drawn empty by the feigned flight, the hidden ambush force is to rise and seize it. The verse closes the briefing with the same divine-grant formula that opened it in v.1 (נָתַתִּי בְיָדְךָ / יִתְּנֶנָּה בְּיֶדְכֶם), framing the whole speech as an inclusio grounded in YHWH's guaranteed gift of the city.
Word-by-word analysis· 10 words
וְאַתֶּ֗םand youconj וְ + indep pronoun 2mp · אַתֶּם (H859)Subject (independent pronoun, fronted/emphatic contrast)אַתֶּם (H859), independent 2mp pronoun with conjunction; fronted for contrastive emphasis — 'but you (the ambush party), [in contrast to us the decoys]'.
תָּקֻ֨מוּ֙you shall riseQal impf 2mp · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause — the tactical payoff)→ Yiqtol: imperfective/modal — the commanded future action, the climactic cueקוּם (H6965) 'to arise'; Qal imperfect 2mp — the ambush party's signal to spring into action once the city is undefended, echoing the imperative קוּם of v.1.
מֵהָ֣אוֹרֵ֔בfrom the ambushprep מִן + art + Qal ptc m sg abs (substantival) · אָרַב (H693)Prepositional phrase (source, 'from the ambush position')→ Participle (substantival): denotes the fixed ambush position/party itselfאָרַב (H693) 'to lie in wait'; Qal active participle with article and prep מִן, substantival 'the ambush(-place)' — same root as אֹרֵב in v.2, 'you shall rise from the ambush [position]'.
וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּ֖םand you shall take possession ofconj וְ + Hiphil weqatal 2mp · יָרַשׁ (H3423)Predicate verb (weqatal, main line of the plan)→ Weqatal: volitional continuation — the commanded seizureיָרַשׁ (H3423) 'to possess, inherit, dispossess'; Hiphil weqatal 2mp, causative-declarative, 'take possession of/seize' — the ambush force claims the now-undefended city.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), marks הָעִיר as the definite direct object of וְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּם.
הָעִ֑ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct objectעִיר (H5892) 'city', with article; Ai, now to be seized once emptied of defenders.
וּנְתָנָ֛הּand he will give itconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms + 3fs suffix · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (weqatal, ground clause)→ Weqatal (functioning as future indicative): certain future divine act — the ground for confidenceנָתַן (H5414) 'to give' + 3fs suffix (referring to הָעִיר); weqatal 3ms, restating the promise of v.1 (נָתַתִּי) now as the reason for the ambush's success.
יְהוָ֥הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וּנְתָנָהּיְהוָה (H3068), see v.1; the divine name reasserted as guarantor of victory, closing the tactical brief where it began.
אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֖םyour GodN m pl constr + 2mp suffix · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Apposition to יְהוָה (further specifying the subject)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God' + 2mp suffix, in apposition to יְהוָה; the covenant formula 'YHWH your God' underscoring the relational ground of the promised victory.
בְּיֶדְכֶֽםinto your handprep בְּ + N c sg constr + 2mp suffix · יָד (H3027)Prepositional phrase (indirect object, goal)יָד (H3027) 'hand', construct with prep בְּ + 2mp suffix; idiom נָתַן בְּיַד 'give into the hand of' = grant full control, echoing v.1's בְיָדְךָ — the tactical brief closes where it began, with the promise of victory.
8

וְהָיָ֞ה כְּתָפְשְׂכֶ֣ם אֶת הָעִ֗יר תַּצִּ֤יתוּ אֶת הָעִיר֙ בָּאֵ֔שׁ כִּדְבַ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה תַּעֲשׂ֑וּ רְא֖וּ צִוִּ֥יתִי אֶתְכֶֽם

And it shall be, when you have seized the city, you shall set the city on fire; you shall act according to the word of the LORD. See, I have commanded you.

Concluding command of Joshua's ambush briefing, resuming and closing the direct speech begun in v.4וְ
The briefing closes with a compliance formula ('according to the word of the LORD') and a self-referential imperative ('I have commanded you'), binding Joshua's tactical instructions to divine authority before the narrative resumes in v.9.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וְהָיָ֞הand it will beconj וְ + Qal weqatal 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb opening a future temporal protasis ('and it shall be, when...')→ Weqatal: volitional/future continuation of the imperative command sequenceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; formulaic וְהָיָה כְּ + infinitive opens a future temporal clause, 'and it shall be, when...'
כְּתָפְשְׂכֶ֣םwhen you have seizedprep כְּ + Qal inf constr + 2mp suffix · תָּפַשׂ (H8610)Temporal clause (infinitive construct with suffixed subject)→ Infinitive construct: marks the seizing as antecedent to the commands that followתָּפַשׂ (H8610) 'to seize, capture, grasp'; here Qal infinitive construct with 2mp pronominal subject-suffix, 'when you (have) seized [it].'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of the infinitive)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעִיר as the definite object of תָפְשְׂכֶם; untranslated in English.
הָעִ֗ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object of the infinitive (city to be seized)עִיר (H5892) 'city, town'; here Ai, the target of the seizure named before the burning command that follows.
תַּצִּ֤יתוּyou shall set on fireHiphil impf 2mp · יָצַת (H3341)Predicate verb (main clause, injunctive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: volitional/injunctive — command continuing the imperative seriesיָצַת (H3341) 'to kindle, set ablaze'; Hiphil causative, 'cause to burn'; the חֵרֶם-signal command echoing Jericho's burning (6:24).
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of תַּצִּיתוּ)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעִיר as the definite object to be burned.
הָעִיר֙the cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object (city to be burned)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; repeated for emphasis — the same city just seized is now to be torched.
בָּאֵ֔שׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental prepositional phraseאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; instrumental, specifying the means of destruction.
כִּדְבַ֥רaccording to the word ofprep כְּ + N m sg constr · דָּבָר (H1697)Comparative/standard prepositional phrase heading a construct chainדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; construct with the following name, 'according to the word of' — a compliance formula.
יְהוָ֖הthe LORDproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain, source of the word)יְהוָה (H3068), the covenant name of Israel's God; here the source and authority behind the command, echoing YHWH's own earlier speech (vv.1-2).
תַּעֲשׂ֑וּyou shall doQal impf 2mp · עָשָׂה (H6213)Predicate verb (main clause, injunctive yiqtol)→ Yiqtol: volitional — command of compliance with the divine wordעָשָׂה (H6213) 'to do, make, act'; general verb of action/compliance, paired with כִּדְבַר יְהוָה, 'act according to the word of the LORD.'
רְא֖וּseeQal impv 2mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (imperative, main clause; rhetorical attention marker)→ Volitional: imperative command, emphatic 'see to it/take note'רָאָה (H7200) 'to see'; here rhetorical, 'See!' — a discourse marker of urgency introducing the closing rationale.
צִוִּ֥יתִיI have commandedPiel perf 1cs · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (main clause, embedded speech: Joshua's self-referential command)→ Perfective: a completed act of command grounding the instruction just givenצִוָּה (H6680) 'to command, charge'; Piel intensive; Joshua speaks with the same commanding authority-language used of YHWH's word (v.8a).
אֶתְכֶֽם[obj] youobj marker + 2mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with pronominal suffix (object of צִוִּיתִי)אֵת (H853) + 2mp suffix, marking 'you [pl.]' as the object of Joshua's command — the ambush party addressed throughout vv.4-8.
9

וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֣ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙ אֶל הַמַּאְרָ֔ב וַיֵּשְׁב֗וּ בֵּ֧ין בֵּֽית אֵ֛ל וּבֵ֥ין הָעַ֖י מִיָּ֣ם לָעָ֑י וַיָּ֧לֶן יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ בַּלַּ֥יְלָה הַה֖וּא בְּת֥וֹךְ הָעָֽם

So Joshua sent them, and they went to the ambush position and stayed between Bethel and Ai, west of Ai. And Joshua lodged that night in the midst of the people.

Wayyiqtol narrative chain resuming the main storyline after the direct speech of vv.4-8וַ
A chain of wayyiqtol verbs tracks the ambush company's deployment (sent, went, sat) before pivoting to Joshua's own action (lodged), carefully placing him 'in the midst of the people' — i.e., still with the main camp, not yet in the valley of v.13. This sets up the two-stage positioning that follows in vv.10-13.
Word-by-word analysis· 19 words
וַיִּשְׁלָחֵ֣םand he sent themconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + 3mp suffix · שָׁלַח (H7971)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁלַח (H7971) 'to send'; here with 3mp object suffix, 'sent them' — Joshua dispatching the ambush company to its position.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיִּשְׁלָחֵםיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'Joshua,' lit. 'YHWH saves/delivers'; leader of Israel, subject of the sending.
וַיֵּֽלְכוּ֙and they wentconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212, by-form of H1980) 'to go, walk'; here of the ambush party's departure toward its assigned position.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase (goal/destination)אֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the destination of the ambush party's march.
הַמַּאְרָ֔בthe ambush [place]art + N m sg abs · מַאְרָב (H3993)Object of preposition אֶלמַאְרָב (H3993) 'ambush, lying-in-wait,' from אָרַב 'to lie in wait'; the appointed ambush position west of Ai.
וַיֵּשְׁב֗וּand they settledconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָשַׁב (H3427)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָשַׁב (H3427) 'to sit, dwell, remain'; here of the ambush company taking up its concealed position.
בֵּ֧יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase (locative, first member of בֵּין...וּבֵין pair)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; paired with וּבֵין below to bound the ambush location between two towns.
בֵּֽיתBeth-proper noun (construct) · בֵּית (H1008)Construct chain (place name, first element)בֵּית אֵל (H1008) 'Bethel,' lit. 'house of God'; town just north of Ai, paired here to locate the ambush position.
אֵ֛ל-elproper noun · אֵל (H1008)Construct chain (place name, second element)אֵל, second element of the compound place name בֵּית אֵל 'Bethel'; the two words together name the town.
וּבֵ֥יןand betweenconj וּ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Coordinating conjunction + preposition (second member of בֵּין...וּבֵין pair)וּ + בֵּין (H996); completes the 'between X and Y' locative construction begun above.
הָעַ֖יAiart + proper noun · הָעַי (H5857)Object of preposition וּבֵיןעַי (H5857) 'Ai,' lit. 'the ruin/heap'; the target city, conventionally taking the article as part of its name (הָעַי).
מִיָּ֣םwest ofprep מִן + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Adverbial prepositional phrase (directional)יָם (H3220) 'sea'; idiomatically 'seaward' = west, since the Mediterranean lies west of Israel; hence מִיָּם 'on the west side.'
לָעָ֑יof Aiprep לְ + art + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Object of preposition לְ, completing the directional phraseעַי (H5857) with prep לְ and article, 'with respect to Ai' — completing 'west of Ai.'
וַיָּ֧לֶןand he lodgedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לוּן (H3885)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלוּן/לִין (H3885) 'to lodge, spend the night'; Joshua's own overnight position here — distinct from and prior to his move into the valley in v.13.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיָּלֶןיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091), subject; the narrative distinguishes Joshua's own lodging (with the main camp) from the ambush company's separate position just described.
בַּלַּ֥יְלָהthat nightprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial prepositional phrase (temporal)לַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; with article and prep בְּ, the temporal setting for Joshua's lodging.
הַה֖וּאthatart + pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying בַּלַּיְלָההוּא (H1931) with article functions as a demonstrative adjective, 'that (night)' — a common deictic/resumptive idiom.
בְּת֥וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative), construct headתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; construct with הָעָם, 'in the midst of the people' — Joshua stationed with the main camp, not yet in the valley (contrast v.13).
הָעָֽםthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Genitive (construct chain, object of תוך)עַם (H5971) 'people'; the main body of Israel's forces, distinguished here from the ambush company already positioned at the מַאְרָב.
10

וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֤ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וַיִּפְקֹ֖ד אֶת הָעָ֑ם וַיַּ֨עַל ה֜וּא וְזִקְנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל לִפְנֵ֥י הָעָ֖ם הָעָֽי

And Joshua rose early in the morning and mustered the people, and he and the elders of Israel went up before the people to Ai.

Wayyiqtol narrative chain continuing the main storylineוַ
Four rapid wayyiqtol verbs (rose early, mustered, went up) mark decisive, orderly military preparation, with Joshua and the elders positioned 'before the people' as visible leaders of the advance toward Ai.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיַּשְׁכֵּ֤םand he rose earlyconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׁכַם (H7925)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁכַם (H7925) Hiphil 'to rise early, act promptly'; idiomatic of decisive, prompt action — Joshua's early rising to muster the troops.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙Joshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיַּשְׁכֵּםיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091), subject of the early rising and the muster that follows.
בַּבֹּ֔קֶרin the morningprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · בֹּקֶר (H1242)Adverbial prepositional phrase (temporal)בֹּקֶר (H1242) 'morning'; with article and prep בְּ, reinforcing the emphasis on Joshua's promptness already signaled by וַיַּשְׁכֵּם.
וַיִּפְקֹ֖דand he musteredconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · פָּקַד (H6485)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceפָּקַד (H6485) 'to number, muster, review, appoint'; here Joshua's military review of the troops before the advance on Ai.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object of וַיִּפְקֹד)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעָם as the definite object mustered.
הָעָ֑םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object of וַיִּפְקֹדעַם (H5971) 'people'; the fighting force being mustered/reviewed before the advance.
וַיַּ֨עַלand he went upconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceעָלָה (H5927) 'to go up, ascend'; standard verb for a military advance into the hill country toward Ai.
ה֜וּאheindependent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (emphatic/resumptive independent pronoun) of וַיַּעַלהוּא (H1931) 3ms independent pronoun; resumes and highlights Joshua as subject, paired with the coordinate 'elders of Israel.'
וְזִקְנֵ֧יand the elders ofconj וְ + adj m pl constr (substantival) · זָקֵן (H2205)Coordinate subject (construct chain, genitival)זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantival plural construct, 'elders of Israel' — the leadership accompanying Joshua at the front.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain, object of זִקְנֵי)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478), the covenant nation; here specifying whose elders accompany Joshua to the front of the advance.
לִפְנֵ֥יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative, 'in front of')פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct with לְ, idiomatic 'before, in front of' — Joshua and the elders lead the people up toward Ai.
הָעָ֖םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Object of preposition לִפְנֵיעַם (H5971) 'people'; the main body of Israel's forces following behind Joshua and the elders.
הָעָֽיto Aiart + proper noun (accusative of direction) · הָעָי (H5857)Adverbial accusative of direction (goal of וַיַּעַל)עַי (H5857) 'Ai'; here functioning without a preposition as a directional accusative, 'up to Ai' — the goal of the entire advance.
11

וְכָל הָעָ֨ם הַמִּלְחָמָ֜ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר אִתּ֗וֹ עָלוּ֙ וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֔וּ וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ נֶ֣גֶד הָעִ֑יר וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ מִצְּפ֣וֹן לָעַ֔י וְהַגַּ֖י בינו בֵּינָ֥יו וּבֵין הָעָֽי

And all the fighting people who were with him went up, and they approached and came opposite the city, and they camped on the north side of Ai, with the ravine between it and Ai.

Wayyiqtol narrative chain describing the main force's approach and encampmentוְ
The main army under Joshua takes its position north of Ai with a ravine (הַגַּי) separating camp from city — a near-homograph of עַי 'Ai' that sounds like a deliberate wordplay in the Hebrew. Textually, this verse also preserves an unusual doubling: the OSHB text carries both an unpointed בינו and the fully pointed בֵּינָיו as two separate word-tokens for 'between it,' likely reflecting an inner Kethiv/Qere-type variant imported without the ordinary marginal marking rather than a simple duplication error; both tokens are annotated here rather than silently merged.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְכָלand all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinating conjunction + construct head (subject, first element)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct, 'all of' — heads the subject phrase 'all the war-people.'
הָעָ֨םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject (construct chain continued)עַם (H5971) 'people'; specified by the following הַמִּלְחָמָה as 'the war-people,' the entire fighting force.
הַמִּלְחָמָ֜הof warart + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Attributive/appositional noun (defines הָעָם as the fighting force)מִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; in apposition to עָם, 'the war-people' = the entire military force accompanying Joshua (cf. v.3's 30,000).
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a relative clause (modifying הָעָם)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'who, that'; introduces 'who were with him,' specifying which people are meant.
אִתּ֗וֹwith himprep + 3ms suffix · אֵת/אִתּ (H854)Predicate of the relative clause (prepositional phrase)אֵת/אִתּ (H854) 'with,' + 3ms suffix; 'with him' = with Joshua, i.e. the main body serving under his direct command.
עָלוּ֙went upQal perf 3cp · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, briefly summarizing the ascent before the wayyiqtol chain resumesעָלָה (H5927) Qal perfect 3cp 'to go up'; the perfect (rather than wayyiqtol) here marks a summarizing beat before narrative movement resumes.
וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֔וּand they approachedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָגַשׁ (H5066)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָגַשׁ (H5066) 'to draw near, approach'; of the advancing army nearing the city.
וַיָּבֹ֖אוּand they cameconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, enter, arrive'; of the army's arrival at the position opposite the city.
נֶ֣גֶדoppositeprep · נֶגֶד (H5048)Prepositional phrase (locative)נֶגֶד (H5048) 'in front of, opposite, in view of'; marks the army's position directly facing the city.
הָעִ֑ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition נֶגֶדעִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai, here referred to generically (contrast the proper name עַי used elsewhere in this verse).
וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙and they campedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · חָנָה (H2583)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceחָנָה (H2583) 'to camp, encamp'; the main force's encampment north of Ai, setting up the pincer with the western ambush.
מִצְּפ֣וֹןon the north ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · צָפוֹן (H6828)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative, construct head)צָפוֹן (H6828) 'north'; construct with prep מִן, 'on the north side of' — the main camp's position relative to Ai.
לָעַ֔יof Aiprep לְ + art + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Object of preposition לְ, completing the locative phraseעַי (H5857) 'Ai,' with prep לְ and article, 'with respect to Ai' — completing 'north of Ai.'
וְהַגַּ֖יand the ravineconj וְ + art + N c sg abs · גַּיְא (H1516)Coordinating conjunction + subject (new clause: 'and the ravine [was] between...')גַּיְא (H1516) 'valley, ravine'; a near-homograph of עַי 'Ai' (H5857) — a deliberate-sounding wordplay between the city's name and the ravine that lay between the two camps.
בינוbetween itprep + 3ms suffix (unpointed Kethiv form) · בֵּין (H996)Predicate prepositional phrase (locative, Kethiv token)בֵּין (H996) + 3ms suffix, 'between it/him'; the bare consonantal (Kethiv-style) spelling בינו. The OSHB text preserves this alongside the fully pointed בֵּינָיו immediately following as two separate word-tokens — an unusual textual doubling; see the discourse note on this verse.
בֵּינָ֥יוbetween itprep + 3ms suffix (pointed form) · בֵּינָיו (H996)Predicate prepositional phrase (locative, pointed/Qere-style token)בֵּין (H996) + 3ms suffix, fully pointed בֵּינָיו 'between it/him.' Paired with the preceding unpointed בינו, this reflects an inner-MT Kethiv/Qere-like doubling in which both the consonantal form and its vocalized reading are retained as separate tokens rather than merged under one pointed word — a textual peculiarity worth flagging rather than silently harmonizing.
וּבֵיןand betweenconj וּ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Coordinating conjunction + preposition (second locative boundary)וּ + בֵּין (H996); introduces the ravine's second boundary point, 'and between [it] and Ai.'
הָעָֽיAiart + proper noun · הָעָי (H5857)Object of preposition וּבֵיןעַי (H5857) 'Ai'; the ravine's second boundary marker, completing 'between [it, i.e. the camp] and Ai.'
12

וַיִּקַּ֕ח כַּחֲמֵ֥שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֖ים אִ֑ישׁ וַיָּ֨שֶׂם אוֹתָ֜ם אֹרֵ֗ב בֵּ֧ין בֵּֽית אֵ֛ל וּבֵ֥ין הָעַ֖י מִיָּ֥ם לָעִֽיר

And he took about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, west of the city.

Wayyiqtol narrative report of a second ambush deploymentוַ
This verse's 'about five thousand men' sits in real tension with the 30,000 of v.3, and commentators have long debated the relationship: some read v.12 as restating or clarifying a subset of the v.3 force (e.g., the 5,000 as an inner detachment of the larger 30,000), others see it as a genuinely separate, second ambush company, and others regard the discrepancy as a text-critical crux — possibly an original smaller number (perhaps closer to the 3,000 pattern seen elsewhere in the conquest narratives, or the 5,000 of v.12 being closer to the 'true' figure) with 30,000 as a corrupted or later-inflated number. No harmonization is forced here; the tension is simply noted as scholars do.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּקַּ֕חand he tookconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · לָקַח (H3947)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceלָקַח (H3947) 'to take'; here of Joshua selecting a body of troops for this ambush deployment.
כַּחֲמֵ֥שֶׁתabout fiveprep כְּ + numeral m sg constr · חָמֵשׁ (H2568)Adverbial approximation + construct numeral heading the number phraseחָמֵשׁ (H2568) 'five'; with approximating prep כְּ, 'about/approximately five' — part of the interpretive crux with v.3's 30,000 (see verse discourse note).
אֲלָפִ֖יםthousandnumeral c pl abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Numeral (absolute, completing the number phrase)אֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand' (also 'clan, contingent'); the figure named here, about 5,000 men — set against the 30,000 of v.3, a numbers question much discussed by commentators (see verse discourse note).
אִ֑ישׁmenN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Numbered noun (specifying what is counted)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; distributive singular after a numeral, 'X thousand men.'
וַיָּ֨שֶׂםand he setconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set, appoint'; here of Joshua positioning this body of troops in ambush.
אוֹתָ֜ם[obj] themobj marker + 3mp suffix · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with suffix (object of וַיָּשֶׂם)אֵת (H853) + 3mp suffix, marking 'them' — the ~5,000 men — as the object placed in ambush.
אֹרֵ֗בlying in ambushQal ptc m sg abs · אָרַב (H693)Predicate complement (substantival participle describing the deployment of אוֹתָם)→ Participle: durative/characterizing — describes the ongoing posture of concealment and waitingאָרַב (H693) Qal participle 'to lie in wait, ambush'; functions almost adverbially, '[set them] as an ambush' — this second ambush body raises the interpretive question of its relation to the 30,000 of v.3 (see verse discourse note).
בֵּ֧יןbetweenprep · בֵּין (H996)Prepositional phrase (locative, first member of בֵּין...וּבֵין pair)בֵּין (H996) 'between'; paired with וּבֵין to bound this ambush's location, matching the site named for the first ambush in v.9.
בֵּֽיתBeth-proper noun (construct) · בֵּית (H1008)Construct chain (place name, first element)בֵּית אֵל (H1008) 'Bethel'; the same location named for the first ambush party in v.9, raising the question of whether this is the same force repositioned or a distinct second body (see verse discourse note).
אֵ֛ל-elproper noun · אֵל (H1008)Construct chain (place name, second element)אֵל, second element of the compound place name בֵּית אֵל 'Bethel.'
וּבֵ֥יןand betweenconj וּ + prep · בֵּין (H996)Coordinating conjunction + preposition (second member of pair)וּ + בֵּין (H996); completes 'between Bethel and Ai.'
הָעַ֖יAiart + proper noun · הָעַי (H5857)Object of preposition וּבֵיןעַי (H5857) 'Ai'; second boundary point of this ambush's location.
מִיָּ֥םwest ofprep מִן + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Adverbial prepositional phrase (directional)יָם (H3220) 'sea'; idiomatic 'seaward' = west; specifies this ambush's position relative to the city.
לָעִֽירof the cityprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition לְ, completing the directional phraseעִיר (H5892) 'city'; completing 'west of the city' — Ai, here referred to generically.
13

וַיָּשִׂ֨ימוּ הָעָ֜ם אֶת כָּל הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֙ מִצְּפ֣וֹן לָעִ֔יר וְאֶת עֲקֵב֖וֹ מִיָּ֣ם לָעִ֑יר וַיֵּ֧לֶךְ יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ בַּלַּ֥יְלָה הַה֖וּא בְּת֥וֹךְ הָעֵֽמֶק

And the people, all the camp that was on the north of the city, set themselves, and its rear guard on the west of the city; and Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.

Final positioning report before the battle, paired with Joshua's own strategic moveוַ
The two-pronged deployment is now complete: the main camp north of the city, its 'rear guard' (עֲקֵבוֹ, likely the ambush force) west of it. Joshua's move 'into the midst of the valley' — a more forward and specific position than v.9's 'midst of the people' — marks the tense, deliberate calm of the night before the assault.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וַיָּשִׂ֨ימוּand they placedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) 'to put, place, set'; here of positioning the two camps (main body and rear guard) for battle.
הָעָ֜םthe peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject of וַיָּשִׂימוּעַם (H5971) 'people'; the collective military force, subject of the positioning.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853), marking כָּל הַמַּחֲנֶה as the definite direct object of וַיָּשִׂימוּ.
כָּלall ofN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct head (direct object, first element)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct, 'all of the camp.'
הַֽמַּחֲנֶ֗הthe campart + N c sg abs · מַחֲנֶה (H4264)Genitive (construct chain, object counted)מַחֲנֶה (H4264) 'camp'; the main body of the army, positioned north of the city.
אֲשֶׁר֙whichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a relative clause (modifying הַמַּחֲנֶה)אֲשֶׁר (H834), relative particle, 'which'; introduces 'which was on the north of the city.'
מִצְּפ֣וֹןon the north ofprep מִן + N f sg constr · צָפוֹן (H6828)Predicate of the relative clause (locative prepositional phrase)צָפוֹן (H6828) 'north'; construct with prep מִן, describing the main camp's position relative to the city.
לָעִ֔ירof the cityprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition לְ, completing the locative phraseעִיר (H5892) 'city'; completing 'on the north of the city.'
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (second object)וְ + אֵת (H853); introduces and marks the second object, 'and its rear guard.'
עֲקֵב֖וֹits rear guardN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · עָקֵב (H6119)Direct object (second element, suffix referring back to הַמַּחֲנֶה)עָקֵב (H6119) 'heel, rear, track'; here idiomatically 'its rear guard' — a distinct detachment (likely the ambush company) positioned west of the city, complementing the main camp to the north.
מִיָּ֣םwest ofprep מִן + N m sg abs · יָם (H3220)Adverbial prepositional phrase (directional), positions עֲקֵבוֹיָם (H3220) 'sea'; idiomatic 'seaward' = west; positions the rear guard/ambush relative to the city.
לָעִ֑ירof the cityprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition לְ, completing the directional phraseעִיר (H5892) 'city'; completing 'west of the city.'
וַיֵּ֧לֶךְand he wentconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָלַךְ (H3212)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָלַךְ (H3212, by-form of H1980) 'to go'; Joshua's own movement, now explicitly into the valley — a forward position taken the night before battle (contrast the more general 'midst of the people' in v.9).
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיֵּלֶךְיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091), subject; Joshua personally moves to a forward position on the eve of battle.
בַּלַּ֥יְלָהthat nightprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · לַיְלָה (H3915)Adverbial prepositional phrase (temporal)לַיְלָה (H3915) 'night'; with article and prep בְּ, marking the same night as v.9 but describing Joshua's further, forward movement into the valley.
הַה֖וּאthatart + pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Attributive demonstrative modifying בַּלַּיְלָההוּא (H1931) with article as demonstrative adjective, 'that (night)' — the night before the battle.
בְּת֥וֹךְin the midst ofprep בְּ + N m sg constr · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative), construct headתָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst'; construct with הָעֵמֶק, 'in the midst of the valley' — a forward, strategic position Joshua takes on the eve of the assault.
הָעֵֽמֶקthe valleyart + N m sg abs · עֵמֶק (H6010)Genitive (construct chain, object of תוך)עֵמֶק (H6010) 'valley, lowland'; the specific valley near Ai into which Joshua moves that night, positioning himself strategically before the assault (contrast v.9's more general 'midst of the people').
14

וַיְהִ֞י כִּרְא֣וֹת מֶֽלֶךְ הָעַ֗י וַֽיְמַהֲר֡וּ וַיַּשְׁכִּ֡ימוּ וַיֵּצְא֣וּ אַנְשֵֽׁי הָעִ֣יר לִקְרַֽאת יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל לַֽמִּלְחָמָ֞ה ה֧וּא וְכָל עַמּ֛וֹ לַמּוֹעֵ֖ד לִפְנֵ֣י הָֽעֲרָבָ֑ה וְהוּא֙ לֹ֣א יָדַ֔ע כִּֽי אֹרֵ֥ב ל֖וֹ מֵאַחֲרֵ֥י הָעִֽיר

And it happened, when the king of Ai saw it, that the men of the city hurried and rose early and went out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his people, to the appointed meeting place before the Arabah; but he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city.

Climactic dramatic-irony statement pivoting the narrative toward the battle properוַ
The king's urgent, decisive response (hurried, rose early, went out) is narrated with the same verbs of promptness used positively of Joshua in v.10, but here the energy is tragically misdirected. The final clause, introduced by the contrastive 'but he' (וְהוּא), pulls back the curtain: the reader has known about the ambush since v.4, but the king does not — 'he did not know that there was an ambush against him behind the city.' This gap between reader-knowledge and character-knowledge is the narrative's central dramatic irony, priming the reversal that follows in vv.15-29.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
וַיְהִ֞יand it happenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause, formulaic scene-opener)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become, happen'; formulaic וַיְהִי opens a new narrative beat, here introducing the king of Ai's reaction to what he sees.
כִּרְא֣וֹתwhen he sawprep כְּ + Qal inf constr · רָאָה (H7200)Temporal clause (infinitive construct with prep כְּ)→ Infinitive construct: temporal, marking the seeing as the trigger for the king's responseרָאָה (H7200) Qal infinitive construct with prep כְּ, 'when [he] saw'; introduces the king's perception that sets his hasty, and fatally uninformed, response in motion.
מֶֽלֶךְthe king ofN m sg constr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Subject of כִּרְאוֹת (construct chain)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct, 'king of Ai' — subject of the seeing that triggers the scene.
הָעַ֗יAiart + proper noun · הָעַי (H5857)Genitive (construct chain, object of מֶלֶךְ)עַי (H5857) 'Ai'; specifying whose king is meant, the tragic figure of this verse.
וַֽיְמַהֲר֡וּand they hurriedconj וַ + Piel wayyiqtol 3mp · מָהַר (H4116)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, marking urgencyמָהַר (H4116) Piel 'to hurry, hasten'; intensifies the urgency of the city's response — an urgency that will prove disastrously misplaced.
וַיַּשְׁכִּ֡ימוּand they rose earlyconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁכַם (H7925)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשָׁכַם (H7925) Hiphil 'to rise early, act promptly'; paired with מָהַר for emphasis on the swift, unhesitating response — ironic in light of what the men of Ai do not know.
וַיֵּצְא֣וּand they went outconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · יָצָא (H3318)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out'; of the men of the city sallying forth to engage Israel, straight into the trap they cannot see.
אַנְשֵֽׁיthe men ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Subject (construct chain, first element)אִישׁ (H376) 'man'; plural construct, 'men of the city' — the fighting men of Ai.
הָעִ֣ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive (construct chain, object of אַנְשֵׁי)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai, here referred to generically.
לִקְרַֽאתto meetprep לְ + Qal inf constr · קָרָא (H7125)Purpose infinitive construct (goal of וַיֵּצְאוּ)→ Infinitive construct: purpose, 'in order to meet/engage'קָרָא (H7125) Qal infinitive construct with prep לְ, 'to meet, encounter'; here of engaging Israel in battle.
יִ֠שְׂרָאֵלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Object of the infinitive לִקְרַאתיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478); the object the men of Ai go out to meet/engage in battle.
לַֽמִּלְחָמָ֞הfor battleprep לְ + art + N f sg abs · מִלְחָמָה (H4421)Adverbial prepositional phrase (purpose)מִלְחָמָה (H4421) 'war, battle'; with prep לְ, 'for battle' — specifying the purpose of the encounter.
ה֧וּאheindependent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (independent pronoun, resumptive, referring to the king)הוּא (H1931) 3ms pronoun; resumes 'he' (the king) as subject, coordinate with 'all his people.'
וְכָלand all ofconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Coordinate subject (construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct, 'and all his people' — coordinate with הוּא as subject.
עַמּ֛וֹhis peopleN m sg constr + 3ms suffix · עַם (H5971)Genitive (construct chain, object of כָל)עַם (H5971) + 3ms suffix, 'his people'; the king's own forces/citizenry, joining him in the sortie.
לַמּוֹעֵ֖דto the appointed placeprep לְ + art + N m sg abs · מוֹעֵד (H4150)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative/temporal goal)מוֹעֵד (H4150) 'appointed time, appointed place, meeting' — often cultic vocabulary (cf. אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד 'tent of meeting'), here repurposed for a battle rendezvous: the very spot before the Arabah where the king leads his forces, unaware it also serves as the trap's staging point.
לִפְנֵ֣יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl constr · פָּנִים (H6440)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative), construct headפָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; construct with לְ, 'before, in front of' — locating the appointed meeting-place relative to the Arabah.
הָֽעֲרָבָ֑הthe Arabahart + N f sg abs · עֲרָבָה (H6160)Object of preposition לִפְנֵיעֲרָבָה (H6160) 'desert plain, steppe'; the Arabah, the rift valley toward the Jordan, marking the geographic setting of the king's sortie.
וְהוּא֙but heconj וְ + independent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Subject (casus pendens opening a disjunctive/contrastive clause)הוּא (H1931) with conjunctive וְ introducing a disjunctive clause, 'but he...' — pivoting to the king's fatal ignorance, the dramatic-irony hinge of the whole narrative.
לֹ֣אnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle negating יָדַעלֹא (H3808), the standard negative particle; negates the following verb, 'he did not know.'
יָדַ֔עhe knewQal perf 3ms · יָדַע (H3045)Predicate verb (main clause, contrastive/circumstantial)→ Perfective/stative: a settled state of not-knowing, sharply contrasted with the reader's privileged knowledgeיָדַע (H3045) 'to know'; here negated, 'he did not know' — the dramatic-irony hinge of the whole ambush narrative: the king rushes into battle unaware of the trap laid behind his own city.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Subordinating conjunction introducing the content clause of יָדַעכִּי (H3588) 'that, because, for'; introduces the object clause, 'that there was an ambush against him.'
אֹרֵ֥בan ambush was lying in waitQal ptc m sg abs (substantival) · אָרַב (H693)Predicate (substantival participle, subject-complement of the כִּי-clause)→ Participle: durative/characterizing — describes the ongoing, concealed state of the ambushאָרַב (H693) Qal participle, substantival, '[a force] lying in wait'; refers to the ambush company positioned behind the city — the very trap the king cannot see.
ל֖וֹagainst himprep לְ + 3ms suffix · לְAdverbial prepositional phrase (adversative, 'against')לְ + 3ms suffix, here in the adversative sense 'against him' rather than plain 'to/for him' — the ambush is directed against the king specifically.
מֵאַחֲרֵ֥יfrom behindprep מִן + prep · אַחַר (H310)Adverbial prepositional phrase (locative, compound preposition)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; compounded with מִן, 'from behind' — locates the ambush's concealment relative to the city, entirely out of the king's sight.
הָעִֽירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition מֵאַחֲרֵיעִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai, behind which the ambush lies concealed — the verse's final word drives home the irony: the trap the king cannot see is right behind the very city he races out to defend.
15

וַיִּנָּֽגְע֛וּ יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לִפְנֵיהֶ֑ם וַיָּנֻ֖סוּ דֶּ֥רֶךְ הַמִּדְבָּֽר

And Joshua and all Israel let themselves be struck before them, and they fled by the way of the wilderness.

Narrative execution of the planned feintוַ
The feint of vv.5-6 is now enacted exactly as scripted: the Niphal ('were struck') narrates the rout as it appears from Ai's walls, while the reader knows it is theater. The flight 'the way of the wilderness' sets the geographic vector that will draw the pursuers past the point of no return.
Word-by-word analysis· 8 words
וַיִּנָּֽגְע֛וּwere struck downconj + Niphal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָגַע (H5060)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a passive-framed 'defeat' that is really the enacted feintנָגַע (H5060) 'to touch, strike'; Niphal here frames Israel's retreat as though they were being struck down before the men of Ai — narratorial irony, since this is the staged rout planned in vv.5-6.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject (first member of compound subject)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; Israel's commander, subject of the feigned retreat along with all Israel.
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Conjunction + construct noun heading second subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct heading כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל 'all Israel', joined to יְהוֹשֻׁעַ as the compound subject of the verb.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject (genitive complement in construct chain כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) proper name of the nation; here the whole people, second element of the compound subject with Joshua.
לִפְנֵיהֶ֑םbefore themprep לְ + N c pl constr/3mp sfx · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (before the men of Ai)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; with לְ and 3mp suffix, 'before them' — the vantage point of the men of Ai watching the apparent rout.
וַיָּנֻ֖סוּand they fledconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נוּס (H5127)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the staged flight in motionנוּס (H5127) Qal 'to flee, run away'; the enacted feint of vv.5-6 — Israel's calculated, deliberate retreat, not a real defeat.
דֶּ֥רֶךְthe way ofN c sg constr · דֶּרֶךְ (H1870)Adverbial accusative of direction (construct head)דֶּרֶךְ (H1870) 'way, road, direction'; construct governing הַמִּדְבָּר, specifying the direction of the feigned flight.
הַמִּדְבָּֽרthe wildernessart + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Genitive complement of דֶּרֶךְ (construct chain)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, desert'; the same direction of retreat pre-arranged in the ambush plan of vv.5-6.
16

וַיִּזָּעֲק֗וּ כָּל הָעָם֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בעיר בָּעַ֔י לִרְדֹּ֖ף אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑ם וַֽיִּרְדְּפוּ֙ אַחֲרֵ֣י יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ וַיִּנָּתְק֖וּ מִן הָעִֽיר

And all the people who were in the city were called together to pursue after them; and they pursued after Joshua and were drawn away from the city.

Result — the pursuit empties the cityוַ
The bait is taken totally: the whole city is mustered and 'drawn away' (נתק) from its own gates. The verb of tearing away marks the tactical objective achieved — the defenders are physically separated from the very thing they must defend.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיִּזָּעֲק֗וּand they were called togetherconj + Niphal wayyiqtol 3mp · זָעַק (H2199)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the general musterזָעַק (H2199) Qal 'to cry out'; Niphal here 'be summoned/called together' — the whole city's manpower is mustered to give chase, the trap's key precondition.
כָּלallN m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun heading the subject phraseכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct governing הָעָם, 'all the people' — the total manpower of the city.
הָעָם֙the peopleart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject (genitive complement of כָּל)עַם (H5971) 'people'; here the male population/fighting force of Ai — the entire city's manpower called to the chase.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) invariable relative particle 'who, which, that'; introduces the clause identifying the people as those in the city.
בעירin the cityprep בְּ + art + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Locative prepositional phrase (in the relative clause)עִיר (H5892) 'city'. This token is written defectively (בעיר, without the expected vowel letters/points visible in this witness) alongside the normally-pointed בָּעַי that follows — an orthographic oddity of the underlying WLC text, akin to a Kethiv-type spelling; sense is unaffected: 'in the city.'
בָּעַ֔יin Aiprep בְּ + art + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Locative prepositional phrase, apposition/clarification to the preceding בעירעַי (H5857) 'Ai, the ruin'; here specifies the city just referred to (בעיר) by name — the two phrases together read 'who were in the city, in Ai.'
לִרְדֹּ֖ףto pursueprep לְ + Qal infinitive construct · רָדַף (H7291)Purpose infinitive construct (why they were called together)→ Infinitive construct: purpose/result — the goal of the musterרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue, chase'; with לְ, expresses purpose — the whole city musters FOR THE PURPOSE of pursuing Israel.
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֑םafter themprep + 3mp sfx · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional complement of לִרְדֹּף (object of pursuit)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; with 3mp suffix, 'after them' — the fleeing Israelites, object of the pursuit.
וַֽיִּרְדְּפוּ֙and they pursuedconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb (wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the chase is now actually underwayרָדַף (H7291) Qal 'to pursue'; the purpose clause of the previous verb is now enacted — the men of Ai are in full chase.
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional head governing יְהוֹשֻׁעַאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; here governs Joshua's name — 'after Joshua', identifying the specific quarry of the chase.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֔עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition אַחַריְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; the men of Ai chase Joshua specifically — pursuing the leader, unaware they are being led into the trap.
וַיִּנָּתְק֖וּand they were drawn awayconj + Niphal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָתַק (H5423)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive moment the trap engagesנָתַק (H5423) 'to tear away, pull off'; Niphal 'be torn/drawn away' — every man of Ai is pulled bodily out of the city by the chase, the precise mechanism the ambush plan depended on.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional head of source/separation phraseמִן (H4480) 'from, away from'; marks separation — the men of Ai are pulled AWAY FROM the city, which is left the moment they're gone.
הָעִֽירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition מִןעִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai itself, now emptied of every defender — the tactical goal of the entire feint.
17

וְלֹֽא נִשְׁאַ֣ר אִ֗ישׁ בָּעַי֙ וּבֵ֣ית אֵ֔ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹֽא יָצְא֖וּ אַחֲרֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיַּעַזְב֤וּ אֶת הָעִיר֙ פְּתוּחָ֔ה וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּ אַחֲרֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

And not a man was left in Ai or Bethel who did not go out after Israel; and they left the city open and pursued after Israel.

Narrative summary — total commitment of the defendersוְ
The narrator pauses for a panoramic evaluation: not one man is left in Ai or Bethel, and the city stands open (פְּתוּחָה). The hyperbolic totality underlines both the completeness of the deception and the folly of abandoning the objective undefended; Bethel's mention draws the neighboring town into the coming rout.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וְלֹֽאand notconj + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of the following predicate verbלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle; negates נִשְׁאַר — 'and there was NOT left/remaining'.
נִשְׁאַ֣רremainedNiphal perf 3ms · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a completed state described as totally absent — not a single man was leftשָׁאַר (H7604) Qal 'to remain'; Niphal 'be left, be left remaining'; total absence is emphasized — the trap's success requires zero exceptions.
אִ֗ישׁa manN m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Subject of נִשְׁאַראִישׁ (H376) 'man'; with negation, 'not a man' = not a single person — total, exhaustive absence.
בָּעַי֙in Aiprep בְּ + art + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Locative prepositional phraseעַי (H5857) 'Ai'; first of the two locations named as totally emptied of defenders.
וּבֵ֣יתand Beth-conj + proper noun (construct) · בֵּית (H1008)Conjunction + first element of the compound place name בֵּית אֵלבֵּית (H1008) 'house of', construct form beginning the compound name בֵּית אֵל 'Bethel' — Ai's neighboring town, also emptied to join the chase.
אֵ֔לEl (Bethel)proper noun · אֵל (H1008)Second element of the compound place name (genitive)אֵל (H1008), second component completing בֵּית אֵל 'Bethel, house of God' — named alongside Ai as a town whose men also joined the pursuit.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhorelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the second relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the clause stressing that not a man failed to go out after Israel.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of יָצְאוּלֹא (H3808) negative particle; negates the verb of going out — 'who did NOT go out' (double negative construction with נִשְׁאַר... אֲשֶׁר לֹא emphasizes total participation).
יָצְא֖וּwent outQal perf 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb of the relative clause (negated)→ Perfective: completed act, framed negatively to stress universal participation ('not one failed to go out')יָצָא (H3318) Qal 'to go out'; here doubly negated in sense (not a man ... who did not go out) — an emphatic Hebrew idiom for total, exceptionless participation.
אַחֲרֵ֣יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional head governing יִשְׂרָאֵלאַחַר (H310) 'after'; governs יִשְׂרָאֵל — the object of the total pursuit.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Object of preposition אַחַריִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; the object of the universal pursuit — every fighting man from both towns chases them.
וַיַּעַזְב֤וּand they leftconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · עָזַב (H5800)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the tactical climax of the deceptionעָזַב (H5800) Qal 'to leave, abandon, forsake'; the whole city is abandoned undefended — the deception's total success stated plainly.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעִיר as the definite direct object of וַיַּעַזְבוּ; untranslated in English.
הָעִיר֙the cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object of וַיַּעַזְבוּעִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai, left completely undefended — the direct object of 'abandoned.'
פְּתוּחָ֔הopenQal passive ptc f sg · פָּתַח (H6605)Predicate adjective/complement describing the object הָעִיר (open, undefended)→ Passive participle: a resulting state — left standing open, wholly exposedפָּתַח (H6605) Qal 'to open'; passive participle 'opened, open' — the city stands utterly undefended, gates and all, the visual climax of the deception's success.
וַֽיִּרְדְּפ֖וּand they pursuedconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — restates the total commitment to the chaseרָדַף (H7291) Qal 'to pursue'; the verse closes by re-emphasizing the chase, setting up the ambush's cue in v.18.
אַחֲרֵ֥יafterprep · אַחַר (H310)Prepositional head governing יִשְׂרָאֵלאַחַר (H310) 'after'; governs יִשְׂרָאֵל, closing the verse on the image of total, undefended pursuit.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Object of preposition אַחַריִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) 'Israel'; final word of the verse — the trap is now fully sprung, the city empty and open, everyone committed to the chase.
18

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ נְ֠טֵה בַּכִּיד֤וֹן אֲשֶׁר בְּיָֽדְךָ֙ אֶל הָעַ֔י כִּ֥י בְיָדְךָ֖ אֶתְּנֶ֑נָּה וַיֵּ֧ט יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַ בַּכִּיד֥וֹן אֲשֶׁר בְּיָד֖וֹ אֶל הָעִֽיר

And YHWH said to Joshua, 'Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for into your hand I will give it.' And Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city.

Divine command and immediate compliance — the turning pointוַ
The battle's hinge is a divine word, not a stratagem: YHWH commands the javelin (כִּידוֹן) extended and renews the assurance of v.1 ('into your hand I will give it'). Joshua's outstretched arm deliberately recalls Moses' raised hand at Rephidim (Exod 17:8-13) — the gesture marks the victory as YHWH's gift rather than merely the ambush's success. Command and compliance are narrated back-to-back without delay.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וַיֹּ֨אמֶרand he saidconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · אָמַר (H559)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — introduces direct divine speechאָמַר (H559) Qal 'to say'; introduces YHWH's command, the pivot on which the whole battle turns.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Subject of וַיֹּאמֶריְהוָה (H3068) the covenant name of Israel's God; YHWH personally directs the tactical signal, underscoring that the victory is His doing, not merely Joshua's strategy.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional head marking the addresseeאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Joshua as the recipient of YHWH's command.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition אֶליְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; addressee of the divine command to raise the javelin.
נְ֠טֵהstretch outQal imperative 2ms · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb (direct divine command)→ Volitional: imperative command — YHWH directs the precise tactical signalנָטָה (H5186) Qal 'to stretch out, extend'; the same verb used of Moses' outstretched hand/staff at Rephidim (Exod 17:8-13), where Israel prevailed only as long as Moses' hand stayed raised — a deliberate intertextual echo: as with Moses, victory hinges on an extended hand held toward the enemy at God's command.
בַּכִּיד֤וֹןwith the javelinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · כִּידוֹן (H3591)Instrumental prepositional phrase, complement of נְטֵהכִּידוֹן (H3591) 'javelin, dart' — a distinct weapon term (not the general חֶרֶב 'sword' or מַטֶּה 'staff'), rare in the OT (cf. Job 39:23; 1 Sam 17:6,45). Its being singled out as the raised signal deliberately recalls Moses' outstretched hand/staff at Rephidim (Exod 17:8-13): a raised weapon-in-hand, held toward the enemy at God's command, becomes the mechanism of victory — Joshua enacts a Moses-like sign-act.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the clause specifying which javelin — the one already in Joshua's hand.
בְּיָֽדְךָ֙in your handprep בְּ + N c sg constr/2ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Locative prepositional phrase within the relative clauseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; with 2ms suffix, 'in your hand' — the javelin Joshua already holds, ready to become the battle-signal.
אֶלtowardprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional head governing הָעַי (direction of the signal)אֶל (H413) 'toward'; the javelin is aimed at the very city about to fall — the signal points directly at its target.
הָעַ֔יAiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Object of preposition אֶלעַי (H5857) 'Ai'; the target of the raised javelin — the city about to fall to the ambush.
כִּ֥יforconj · כִּי (H3588)Causal conjunction introducing the ground/reason for the commandכִּי (H3588) 'for, because'; introduces YHWH's guarantee grounding the imperative — the reason Joshua can act in confidence.
בְיָדְךָ֖into your handprep בְּ + N c sg constr/2ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Locative/instrumental prepositional phrase, fronted for emphasis before אֶתְּנֶנָּהיָד (H3027) 'hand'; with 2ms suffix, fronted before the verb for emphasis — 'into YOUR hand I am giving it,' underscoring certainty of the promised victory.
אֶתְּנֶ֑נָּהI will give itQal impf 1cs/3fs sfx · נָתַן (H5414)Predicate verb (main clause of the כִּי-clause, divine promise)→ Yiqtol: imperfective with future/certain nuance — a divine guarantee about to be fulfilledנָתַן (H5414) Qal 'to give'; with 3fs suffix referring to הָעִיר, 'I will give it' — YHWH's covenant promise of the city, echoing 1:2ff and the ל recurring gift-formula of the conquest narrative.
וַיֵּ֧טand he stretched outconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — Joshua's obedient enactment)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the command instantly obeyed, triggering the ambushנָטָה (H5186) Qal 'to stretch out'; Joshua's action mirrors Moses' at Rephidim (Exod 17:11) — the raised hand/weapon that determines the battle's outcome; here it is the literal cue for the ambush to spring.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֛עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיֵּטיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; obeys the command immediately and precisely.
בַּכִּיד֥וֹןwith the javelinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · כִּידוֹן (H3591)Instrumental prepositional phrase, complement of וַיֵּטכִּידוֹן (H3591) 'javelin'; the same distinct weapon named in the command, now actually raised — the Moses-at-Rephidim echo fulfilled in Joshua's action.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the clause identifying the javelin as the one in his hand.
בְּיָד֖וֹin his handprep בְּ + N c sg constr/3ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Locative prepositional phrase within the relative clauseיָד (H3027) 'hand'; with 3ms suffix, 'in his hand' — the same javelin, now the fixed point of the whole battle's outcome.
אֶלtowardprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional head governing הָעִיר (direction of the raised javelin)אֶל (H413) 'toward'; the javelin points at the city — the sign held steady, echoing Moses' hand held aloft over the battle.
הָעִֽירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition אֶלעִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai, the target of the outstretched javelin and the signal that triggers the ambush in v.19.
19

וְהָאוֹרֵ֡ב קָם֩ מְהֵרָ֨ה מִמְּקוֹמ֤וֹ וַיָּר֨וּצוּ֙ כִּנְט֣וֹת יָד֔וֹ וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ הָעִ֖יר וַֽיִּלְכְּד֑וּהָ וַֽיְמַהֲר֔וּ וַיַּצִּ֥יתוּ אֶת הָעִ֖יר בָּאֵֽשׁ

And the ambush rose quickly from its place, and they ran as soon as he stretched out his hand, and they entered the city and captured it; and they hurried and set the city on fire.

Simultaneous response — the ambush springsוְ
The ambush springs the instant the hand goes out — the syntax ties their rising to the moment of the signal (כִּנְטוֹת יָדוֹ). Four rapid verbs (ran, entered, captured, set on fire) compress the taking of the city into a single breath; the smoke kindled here becomes the visual signal on which v.20 turns.
Word-by-word analysis· 15 words
וְהָאוֹרֵ֡בand the ambushconj + art + Qal active ptc m sg abs (substantival) · אָרַב (H693)Subject (substantival participle, main clause)→ Substantival participle: the ambushing force characterized by its lying-in-wait, now the acting subjectאָרַב (H693) Qal 'to lie in wait, ambush'; the participle used substantivally, 'the one lying in wait' = the ambush force set in ch.4-9 of the strategy, now sprung into action.
קָם֩roseQal perf 3ms · קוּם (H6965)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a swift, decisive act — the ambush springs the instant the sign is givenקוּם (H6965) Qal 'to rise, arise'; the ambush's action verb, paired with מְהֵרָה 'quickly' to stress instant response to Joshua's signal.
מְהֵרָ֨הquicklyN f sg abs (adverbial) · מְהֵרָה (H4120)Adverbial accusative modifying קָםמְהֵרָה (H4120) 'haste, quickness'; used adverbially 'quickly, hastily' — the ambush responds to the signal without delay, the instant Joshua's hand goes up.
מִמְּקוֹמ֤וֹfrom its placeprep מִן + N c sg constr/3ms sfx · מָקוֹם (H4725)Locative prepositional phrase (source of motion)מָקוֹם (H4725) 'place'; with מִן and 3ms suffix, 'from its place' — the ambush's hidden position west of Ai (cf. vv.9,12-13), now abandoned as they charge.
וַיָּר֨וּצוּ֙and they ranconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · רוּץ (H7323)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — urgency piled onto urgencyרוּץ (H7323) Qal 'to run'; a second verb of speed after קָם...מְהֵרָה, stacking urgency: they rise, quickly, AND run.
כִּנְט֣וֹתas soon as he stretched outprep כְּ + Qal infinitive construct · נָטָה (H5186)Temporal infinitive construct clause ('as soon as/when he stretched out')→ Infinitive construct: temporal — marks the precise moment triggering the ambush's chargeנָטָה (H5186) 'to stretch out'; with כְּ, 'as soon as/at the moment he stretched out' — pinpoints Joshua's raised javelin as the exact synchronizing cue, echoing the same verb used of Moses' hand at Rephidim.
יָד֔וֹhis handN c sg constr/3ms sfx · יָד (H3027)Subject/object of the infinitive construct כִּנְטוֹתיָד (H3027) 'hand'; with 3ms suffix — Joshua's hand (holding the javelin), the fixed sign the ambush is watching for.
וַיָּבֹ֥אוּand they enteredconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · בּוֹא (H935)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the ambush reaches its targetבּוֹא (H935) Qal 'to come, enter'; the ambush force reaches the now-undefended city (cf. v.17).
הָעִ֖ירthe cityart + N f sg abs (adverbial accusative) · עִיר (H5892)Adverbial accusative of goal ('into the city') with וַיָּבֹאוּעִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai, now entered — the goal of the ambush's charge, reached exactly as planned.
וַֽיִּלְכְּד֑וּהָand they seized itconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp/3fs sfx · לָכַד (H3920)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — capture accomplishedלָכַד (H3920) Qal 'to capture, seize'; with 3fs suffix referring to הָעִיר, 'they captured it' — the city taken with no resistance, as v.17 promised.
וַֽיְמַהֲר֔וּand they hurriedconj + Piel wayyiqtol 3mp · מָהַר (H4116)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence, auxiliary to the following verb)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a third stacked verb of speedמָהַר (H4116) Piel 'to hasten, hurry'; functions almost adverbially before the next verb — 'they hastened and set on fire' = 'quickly set on fire,' the third speed-verb in three verses.
וַיַּצִּ֥יתוּand they set on fireconj + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · יָצַת (H3341)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the visible signal for vv.20-21 is createdיָצַת (H3341) Hiphil 'to kindle, set ablaze'; the smoke this produces becomes the second signal of the chapter, seen by the men of Ai in v.20 and by Joshua's forces in v.21.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעִיר as the definite direct object of וַיַּצִּיתוּ; untranslated in English.
הָעִ֖ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object of וַיַּצִּיתוּעִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai, now put to the torch — the ambush's capstone act.
בָּאֵֽשׁwith fireprep בְּ + art + N c sg abs · אֵשׁ (H784)Instrumental prepositional phrase, complement of וַיַּצִּיתוּאֵשׁ (H784) 'fire'; the instrument of destruction whose smoke becomes the pivotal visual signal of vv.20-21.
20

וַיִּפְנ֣וּ אַנְשֵׁי֩ הָעַ֨י אַחֲרֵיהֶ֜ם וַיִּרְא֗וּ וְהִנֵּ֨ה עָלָ֜ה עֲשַׁ֤ן הָעִיר֙ הַשָּׁמַ֔יְמָה וְלֹא הָיָ֨ה בָהֶ֥ם יָדַ֛יִם לָנ֖וּס הֵ֣נָּה וָהֵ֑נָּה וְהָעָם֙ הַנָּ֣ס הַמִּדְבָּ֔ר נֶהְפַּ֖ךְ אֶל הָרוֹדֵֽף

And the men of Ai turned back and looked, and behold, the smoke of the city was rising to the heavens, and there was no strength in them to flee this way or that; and the people who had been fleeing to the wilderness turned against the pursuer.

Peripeteia — the reversalוַ
The pursuers turn, see the smoke ascending 'to the heavens,' and the narrator declares they had 'no hands' (יָדַיִם) to flee this way or that — the idiom of utter paralysis. In the same verse the 'fleeing' people wheel about and become the attackers: every role in the chase is inverted at once.
Word-by-word analysis· 23 words
וַיִּפְנ֣וּand they turnedconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · פָּנָה (H6437)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence — the pivot of the whole battle)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the exact moment of peripeteia, mid-chaseפָּנָה (H6437) Qal 'to turn, face about'; the men of Ai, still chasing Israel, turn to look back — the verb that opens the reversal scene.
אַנְשֵׁי֩the men ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Construct noun heading the subject phraseאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; plural construct 'men of', governing עַי — the fighting men of Ai, now caught in reversal.
הָעַ֨יAiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Genitive complement of אַנְשֵׁי (construct chain)עַי (H5857) 'Ai'; identifies whose men are turning — the pursuers who are about to become the pursued.
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֜םbehind themprep + 3mp sfx · אַחַר (H310)Locative prepositional phrase, adverbial to וַיִּפְנוּאַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; with 3mp suffix, 'behind them' — they look back toward their own city, mid-pursuit of Israel.
וַיִּרְא֗וּand they sawconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the moment of realizationרָאָה (H7200) Qal 'to see'; the men of Ai now perceive the catastrophe behind them — the narrative's turning point of recognition.
וְהִנֵּ֨הand beholdconj + interjection · הִנֵּה (H2009)Presentative particle introducing the vivid perceived sceneהִנֵּה (H2009) 'behold, look'; marks a vivid, immediate scene as perceived by the men of Ai — dramatizing their shock at seeing the smoke.
עָלָ֜הhad gone upQal perf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb of the הִנֵּה-clause (perceived scene)→ Perfective: a completed, already-accomplished state seen at the moment of turning — the smoke is already risingעָלָה (H5927) Qal 'to go up, ascend'; describes the smoke already risen skyward by the time they turn — the visible proof the ambush has succeeded.
עֲשַׁ֤ןsmoke ofN m sg constr · עָשָׁן (H6227)Subject of עָלָה (construct head)עָשָׁן (H6227) 'smoke'; construct governing הָעִיר — the visible sign of the city's fall, the second signal of the chapter.
הָעִיר֙the cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of עֲשַׁן (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai, now burning — the source of the smoke that dooms its own defenders.
הַשָּׁמַ֔יְמָהheavenwardart + N m pl abs + directional ה sfx · שָׁמַיִם (H8064)Adverbial accusative of direction with עָלָהשָׁמַיִם (H8064) 'heavens, sky'; with directional ה, 'toward the heavens' — the smoke visible from a great distance, an unmistakable, unstoppable signal.
וְלֹאand notconj + negative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negation of הָיָהלֹא (H3808) negative particle; negates הָיָה — 'and there was NOT' (in them, strength to flee).
הָיָ֨הwasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, negated existential)→ Perfective: a state described as completely and suddenly absent — paralysis at the critical instantהָיָה (H1961) Qal 'to be, become'; negated existential — 'there was not [in them] hands/strength' — the idiom for total paralysis before the reversal.
בָהֶ֥םin themprep בְּ + 3mp sfx · בְּLocative/possessive prepositional phrase, existential subject-complement of הָיָהבְּ the basic locative/instrumental preposition 'in, with'; with 3mp suffix, 'in them' — the men of Ai, now found to have nothing left in them (no strength, no hands to flee).
יָדַ֛יִםhands/strengthN c dual abs · יָד (H3027)Existential subject of הָיָה (negated)יָד (H3027) 'hand'; dual יָדַיִם 'hands', idiomatic here for strength/capacity to act — 'they had no hands to flee' is a vivid Hebrew idiom for utter paralysis, being caught with nowhere to run and no power left to run with.
לָנ֖וּסto fleeprep לְ + Qal infinitive construct · נוּס (H5127)Epexegetical infinitive construct (specifying the 'hands' — to flee)→ Infinitive construct: epexegetical — clarifies what capacity is lackingנוּס (H5127) Qal 'to flee'; the same verb used of Israel's feigned flight in v.15 — now the men of Ai desperately need to flee but cannot.
הֵ֣נָּהhereadverb · הֵנָּה (H2008)Adverb of direction modifying לָנוּסהֵנָּה (H2008) 'here, hither'; first half of the idiom הֵנָּה וָהֵנָּה 'this way and that' — expressing directionless, paralyzed panic with nowhere to run.
וָהֵ֑נָּהand thereconj + adverb · הֵנָּה (H2008)Adverb of direction, second half of the idiomהֵנָּה (H2008) 'here, hither'; second half of הֵנָּה וָהֵנָּה 'here and there / this way and that' — a vivid Hebrew idiom for frantic, paralyzed, undirected panic with no possible escape.
וְהָעָם֙and the peopleconj + art + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Subject (compound: 'the people who were fleeing')עַם (H5971) 'people'; now refers to Israel, whose feigned flight (v.15) is about to reverse into attack — subject of the sentence's main verb נֶהְפַּךְ.
הַנָּ֣סwho was fleeingart + Qal active ptc m sg abs · נוּס (H5127)Attributive participle modifying הָעָם ('the people, the one fleeing')→ Attributive participle: an ongoing action characterizing the subject up to this pointנוּס (H5127) Qal 'to flee'; the participle recalls Israel's staged flight (same root as v.15's וַיָּנֻסוּ) — describing them right up to the moment they reverse.
הַמִּדְבָּ֔רthe wildernessart + N m sg abs (adverbial accusative) · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Adverbial accusative of direction with הַנָּסמִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness'; the same direction named in v.15 — Israel's staged retreat comes full circle at the moment it reverses.
נֶהְפַּ֖ךְturnedNiphal perf 3ms · הָפַךְ (H2015)Predicate verb (main clause) — the pivot-verb of the entire battle→ Perfective (Niphal, reflexive-passive nuance): a decisive, complete reversal — the peripeteia of the chapterהָפַךְ (H2015) 'to turn, overturn, transform'; Niphal 'turn oneself, be turned' — the chapter's hinge word: the fleeing people TURN AGAINST their pursuers, the feigned weakness becoming real attack, exactly reversing the direction of vv.15-16.
אֶלagainstprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional head governing הָרוֹדֵף (adversative)אֶל (H413) here with adversative force 'against'; marks the new direction of Israel's attack — turned against their former pursuers.
הָרוֹדֵֽףthe pursuerart + Qal active ptc m sg abs (substantival) · רָדַף (H7291)Object of preposition אֶל (substantival participle)→ Substantival participle: characterizes the men of Ai by their action up to this instant — 'the one pursuing,' about to become the pursuedרָדַף (H7291) 'to pursue'; the men of Ai, called 'the pursuer' one final time before the roles invert completely — the same root used throughout vv.16-17 for their chase.
21

וִיהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ וְכָֽל יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל רָא֗וּ כִּֽי לָכַ֤ד הָֽאֹרֵב֙ אֶת הָעִ֔יר וְכִ֥י עָלָ֖ה עֲשַׁ֣ן הָעִ֑יר וַיָּשֻׁ֕בוּ וַיַּכּ֖וּ אֶת אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָעָֽי

And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had captured the city and that the smoke of the city was rising, they turned back and struck down the men of Ai.

Reversal completed — the counter-attackוִ
The reversal completes from Israel's side: seeing the captured city and its smoke, Joshua and all Israel turn back (שׁוּב) and strike the men of Ai. The smoke functions as the confirmed signal binding the two Israelite forces into a single pincer, setting up the encirclement of v.22.
Word-by-word analysis· 18 words
וִיהוֹשֻׁ֨עַand Joshuaconj + proper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject (first member of compound subject)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation'; subject alongside all Israel of the closing act of the reversal — seeing, then turning back to strike.
וְכָֽלand allconj + N m sg constr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun heading second subjectכֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct heading כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל 'all Israel', joined to Joshua as compound subject.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject (genitive complement of כָּל)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) proper name of the nation; second element of the compound subject with Joshua.
רָא֗וּsawQal perf 3cp · רָאָה (H7200)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act of perception that triggers the closing counterattackרָאָה (H7200) Qal 'to see'; Joshua's own forces now see the same smoke signal the men of Ai saw — the two vantage points converge on the same visual cue.
כִּֽיthatconj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing the content clause of רָאוּכִּי (H3588) 'that'; introduces what Joshua and Israel saw — the ambush's capture of the city.
לָכַ֤דhad capturedQal perf 3ms · לָכַד (H3920)Predicate verb of the כִּי-clause→ Perfective: a completed act, prior to and grounding what Joshua now seesלָכַד (H3920) Qal 'to capture, seize'; states plainly what has already been accomplished (cf. v.19's וַֽיִּלְכְּדוּהָ).
הָֽאֹרֵב֙the ambushart + Qal active ptc m sg abs (substantival) · אָרַב (H693)Subject of לָכַד→ Substantival participle: the ambushing force, its identity fixed by its earlier hidden actionאָרַב (H693) 'to lie in wait'; substantival, 'the one lying in wait' = the ambush force, now credited as the agent that took the city.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking הָעִיר as the definite direct object of לָכַד; untranslated in English.
הָעִ֔ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Direct object of לָכַדעִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai, confirmed captured — what Joshua and Israel now see and know.
וְכִ֥יand thatconj + conj · כִּי (H3588)Complementizer introducing the second, coordinate content clause of רָאוּכִּי (H3588) 'that'; second, coordinated clause — Joshua and Israel see BOTH that the city is taken AND that the smoke has risen, twin confirmations of success.
עָלָ֖הhad gone upQal perf 3ms · עָלָה (H5927)Predicate verb of the second כִּי-clause→ Perfective: a completed, already-visible state — the same smoke seen from Joshua's sideעָלָה (H5927) Qal 'to go up'; the same verb and image as v.20 — the identical smoke, now confirmed by Joshua's own vantage point too.
עֲשַׁ֣ןsmoke ofN m sg constr · עָשָׁן (H6227)Subject of עָלָה (construct head)עָשָׁן (H6227) 'smoke'; construct governing הָעִיר — the shared signal that both sides of the battlefield now see, converging the narrative's two vantage points.
הָעִ֑ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive complement of עֲשַׁן (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; Ai, its capture now fully confirmed to Israel's whole army.
וַיָּשֻׁ֕בוּand they turned backconj + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence) — completes the reversal→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the pursuers-turned-fleers now turn again, this time to attackשׁוּב (H7725) Qal 'to turn back, return'; Joshua's own force joins the reversal already begun by נֶהְפַּךְ in v.20 — pursuer becomes pursued becomes pursuer again, the reversal loop closed.
וַיַּכּ֖וּand they struckconj + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221)Predicate verb (main clause, wayyiqtol of narrative sequence) — climactic action→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the decisive blow, closing the whole engagementנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; the real striking, in ironic counterpoint to v.15's Niphal וַיִּנָּגְעוּ ('were struck down') — what was feigned in v.15 is now genuinely inflicted on the enemy.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853), nota accusativi marking אַנְשֵׁי הָעָי as the definite direct object of וַיַּכּוּ; untranslated in English.
אַנְשֵׁ֥יthe men ofN m pl constr · אִישׁ (H376)Construct noun heading the direct object phraseאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; plural construct 'men of', governing עַי — the same 'men of Ai' who chased Israel in v.20, now struck down.
הָעָֽיAiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Genitive complement of אַנְשֵׁי (construct chain)עַי (H5857) 'Ai'; the verse's final word — the reversal complete, the city's men struck by the very people they had pursued as if defeated.
22

וְאֵ֨לֶּה יָצְא֤וּ מִן הָעִיר֙ לִקְרָאתָ֔ם וַיִּֽהְי֤וּ לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בַּתָּ֔וֶךְ אֵ֥לֶּה מִזֶּ֖ה וְאֵ֣לֶּה מִזֶּ֑ה וַיַּכּ֣וּ אוֹתָ֔ם עַד בִּלְתִּ֥י הִשְׁאִֽיר ל֖וֹ שָׂרִ֥יד וּפָלִֽיט

Now these had gone out from the city to meet them, so that Israel was in the middle—some on this side and some on that side—and they struck them down until no survivor or fugitive was left to it.

Resumptive — explains the tactical pincer already implied in v.21וְ
This verse steps back to clarify the tactical situation already implied by v.21: the ambush-force that had taken the city (vv.19-21) now emerges to meet the fleeing men of Ai, catching Israel's two forces on either side of the enemy. The stock pair שָׂרִיד וּפָלִיט ('remnant and escapee') emphasizes total annihilation — no one escaped by any means.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
וְאֵ֨לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (resumptive, referring to the ambush force)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these', common plural demonstrative pronoun; here resumes the men from the city (the ambushers) as subject.
יָצְא֤וּthey went outQal perf 3cp · יָצָא (H3318)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, narrated as background/summaryיָצָא (H3318) 'to go out, come out'; the ambush force's exit from the now-captured city.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase marking sourceמִן (H4480) 'from, out of'; marks the city as the point of departure.
הָעִיר֙the cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Object of preposition מִןעִיר (H5892) 'city'; here Ai, now held by the Israelite ambush force (cf. v.19).
לִקְרָאתָ֔םto meet themprep לְ + Qal inf constr + suffix 3mp · לִקְרַאת (H7125)Purpose/directional infinitival phrase→ Infinitive construct: purpose — going out in order to meetקָרָא II / לִקְרַאת (H7125) 'to meet, encounter'; idiomatic infinitive construct with לְ, 'to meet them' — i.e. the fleeing men of Ai.
וַיִּֽהְי֤וּand they wereconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, become'; here forms the predicate 'were in the middle', describing Israel's position.
לְיִשְׂרָאֵל֙to/for Israelprep לְ + proper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Dative of reference (with הָיָה = 'Israel was...')יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) proper name; with לְ and הָיָה, idiomatic 'it was for Israel [in the middle]' = Israel found itself between.
בַּתָּ֔וֶךְin the middleprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · תָּוֶךְ (H8432)Predicate adjunct (locative)תָּוֶךְ (H8432) 'midst, middle'; with the article and prep בְּ, the pincer image — Israel caught between the two Canaanite forces.
אֵ֥לֶּהthesedemonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (distributive, first group)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these'; distributive use, paired with the next אֵלֶּה — 'these on this side.'
מִזֶּ֖הon this sideprep מִן + demonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Adverbial locative phraseזֶה (H2088) 'this'; with מִן, 'from this (side)' — idiomatic distributive 'on one side.'
וְאֵ֣לֶּהand theseconj וְ + demonstrative pronoun c pl · אֵלֶּה (H428)Subject (distributive, second group)אֵלֶּה (H428) 'these', repeated with וְ for the distributive pair 'these... and those.'
מִזֶּ֑הon that sideprep מִן + demonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Adverbial locative phraseזֶה (H2088) 'this'; second half of the distributive pair, 'on that (other) side' — completing the pincer image.
וַיַּכּ֣וּand they struckconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main verb of the pincer attack)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, decisive actנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite, kill'; the standard verb for battle-slaughter in the conquest narratives.
אוֹתָ֔ם[obj] themobj marker + suffix 3mp · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, suffixed)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi with 3mp suffix, marking 'them' (the men of Ai) as the object struck.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal/result prepositional phrase heading a negative purpose clauseעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; introduces the result clause of total destruction.
בִּלְתִּ֥יnot / nonegative particle · בִּלְתִּי (H1115)Negative particle governing the following infinitiveבִּלְתִּי (H1115) negative particle 'not, without'; with עַד forms 'until there was not' — i.e., 'so that none remained.'
הִשְׁאִֽירhe left remainingHiphil perf 3ms · שָׁאַר (H7604)Predicate verb of negated result clause→ Perfective: completed state — negated to express total annihilationשָׁאַר (H7604) Hiphil 'to leave over, leave a remnant'; negated here ('leaving no remnant') for the herem's totality.
ל֖וֹfor itprep לְ + suffix 3ms · לְDative of possession/referenceלְ (H l) + 3ms suffix, referring back to Ai/its inhabitants collectively — 'it did not leave for it(self)...'
שָׂרִ֥ידsurvivorN m sg abs · שָׂרִיד (H8300)Direct object of הִשְׁאִירשָׂרִיד (H8300) 'survivor, remnant'; from the root שרד, one who remains after destruction.
וּפָלִֽיטor fugitiveconj וּ + N m sg abs · פָּלִיט (H6412)Direct object, second of stock word-pairפָּלִיט (H6412) 'fugitive, escapee', from פלט 'to escape'; שָׂרִיד וּפָלִיט is a fixed word-pair in Hebrew narrative for 'remnant and escapee' — total absence of any survivor, whether by staying or fleeing.
23

וְאֶת מֶ֥לֶךְ הָעַ֖י תָּ֣פְשׂוּ חָ֑י וַיַּקְרִ֥בוּ אֹת֖וֹ אֶל יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ

And the king of Ai they captured alive, and they brought him to Joshua.

Continuation — singling out one detail from the battleוְ
The narrative pauses the mass-slaughter report to spotlight one particular: the king is taken alive rather than killed outright, foreshadowing his formal execution in v.29 and paralleling the treatment of captured kings elsewhere in the conquest narrative (cf. ch.10).
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fronted object)וְ conjunction + אֵת (H853) nota accusativi, marking 'the king of Ai' as the fronted direct object of תָּפְשׂוּ.
מֶ֥לֶךְking ofN m sg cstr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Construct noun (head of construct chain)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct form governing הָעַי, 'the king of Ai.'
הָעַ֖יAiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Genitive (construct chain, proper name)עַי (H5857) 'Ai', the city's proper name, here with the article as is customary for this toponym (lit. 'the Ai/the ruin').
תָּ֣פְשׂוּthey capturedQal perf 3cp · תָּפַשׂ (H8610)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, decisive actתָּפַשׂ (H8610) Qal 'to seize, capture, grasp'; here the physical capture of the king in the rout.
חָ֑יaliveadj m sg abs · חַי (H2416)Adverbial/predicate adjective describing the object's stateחַי (H2416) adjective 'living, alive'; marks that the king was taken as a captive, not killed in battle — setting up his later execution (v.29).
וַיַּקְרִ֥בוּand they brought nearconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · קָרַב (H7126)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceקָרַב (H7126) Hiphil 'to bring near, present'; often used of presenting something/someone formally, here the captive king before the commander.
אֹת֖וֹ[obj] himobj marker + suffix 3ms · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, suffixed)אֵת (H853) + 3ms suffix, marking 'him' (the king) as the object presented.
אֶלtoprep · אֶל (H413)Prepositional phrase marking recipient/destinationאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks Joshua as the one to whom the king is brought.
יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Object of preposition אֶליְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'YHWH is salvation/Joshua', Israel's commander, to whom captives and decisions are brought.
24

וַיְהִ֣י כְּכַלּ֣וֹת יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל לַהֲרֹג֩ אֶת כָּל יֹשְׁבֵ֨י הָעַ֜י בַּשָּׂדֶ֗ה בַּמִּדְבָּר֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר רְדָפ֣וּם בּ֔וֹ וַֽיִּפְּל֥וּ כֻלָּ֛ם לְפִי חֶ֖רֶב עַד תֻּמָּ֑ם וַיָּשֻׁ֤בוּ כָל יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הָעַ֔י וַיַּכּ֥וּ אֹתָ֖הּ לְפִי חָֽרֶב

Now when Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the open field and in the wilderness where they had pursued them, and they had all fallen by the edge of the sword until they were finished, all Israel returned to Ai and struck it with the edge of the sword.

Temporal/resultative — summarizes completion of the field battle, transitions to a second phaseוְ
The verse pivots the narrative from the open-field pursuit (vv.20-22) to a second, deliberate pass through the city itself — closing the loop opened by the standing-army/ambush maneuver, so that Ai is destroyed both in the field and within its walls; the repetition of 'by the edge of the sword' brackets the totality of the killing.
Word-by-word analysis· 27 words
וַיְהִ֣יand it happenedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (introducing temporal clause)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, temporal-frame formulaהָיָה (H1961) 'to be, happen'; classic וַיְהִי formula introducing a temporal clause ('and it came to pass when...').
כְּכַלּ֣וֹתwhen...finishedprep כְּ + Piel inf constr · כָּלָה (H3615)Temporal infinitival clause (Piel infinitive construct with כְּ)→ Infinitive construct: temporal — marks the point at which the main action followsכָּלָה (H3615) Piel 'to finish, complete'; with כְּ, 'as soon as... finished', marking the transition from field-slaughter to the second, in-city pass.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֡לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of the infinitival clauseיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) proper name, subject of 'finishing' the killing.
לַהֲרֹג֩killingprep לְ + Qal inf constr · הָרַג (H2026)Infinitive construct complementing כְּכַלּוֹת→ Infinitive construct: expresses the action being completedהָרַג (H2026) Qal 'to kill, slay'; infinitive complementing כִּלָּה, 'finished killing.'
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the object of לַהֲרֹג — all the inhabitants of Ai.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (quantifier head of construct chain)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct governing יֹשְׁבֵי, totalizing the destruction.
יֹשְׁבֵ֨יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc m pl cstr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (genitive-governing head)→ Participle: substantival, describing an ongoing state — 'those dwelling'יָשַׁב (H3427) Qal participle 'to dwell, sit'; substantivized 'inhabitants', construct with הָעַי.
הָעַ֜יAiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Genitive (construct chain)עַי (H5857) 'Ai'; object of the killing, genitive of יֹשְׁבֵי.
בַּשָּׂדֶ֗הin the open fieldprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · שָׂדֶה (H7704)Locative prepositional phraseשָׂדֶה (H7704) 'field, open country'; locates part of the slaughter in the open field outside the city.
בַּמִּדְבָּר֙in the wildernessprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · מִדְבָּר (H4057)Locative prepositional phrase (paired with בַּשָּׂדֶה)מִדְבָּר (H4057) 'wilderness, open uncultivated land'; the second locale of the pursuit route from ch.8's ambush maneuver.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhererelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing subordinate clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle 'which, where'; introduces the clause describing the pursuit into the wilderness.
רְדָפ֣וּםthey had pursued themQal perf 3cp + suffix 3mp · רָדַף (H7291)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act prior to the main narrative line (pluperfect nuance)רָדַף (H7291) Qal 'to pursue, chase'; with 3mp suffix 'them', referring back to Israel's chase of the fleeing men of Ai (cf. vv.16-17).
בּ֔וֹin itprep בְּ + suffix 3ms · בְּAdverbial locative resumptive (referring to הַמִּדְבָּר)בְּ + 3ms suffix, resuming 'in it' = in the wilderness just mentioned.
וַֽיִּפְּל֥וּand they fellconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · נָפַל (H5307)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָפַל (H5307) Qal 'to fall'; idiomatic for dying in battle.
כֻלָּ֛םall of themN m sg cstr + suffix 3mp · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (appositional totalizer)כֹּל (H3605) + 3mp suffix, 'all of them'; emphasizes the totality of the slaughter — no exceptions.
לְפִיby the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg cstr · פֶּה (H6310)Instrumental prepositional phrase (construct)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth, edge'; idiom לְפִי־חֶרֶב 'by the mouth/edge of the sword' = by the sword, standard battle-death formula.
חֶ֖רֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive (construct chain, instrument)חֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; genitive completing the idiom 'by the edge of the sword.'
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until'; introduces the point of total completion.
תֻּמָּ֑םthey were finishedQal inf constr + suffix 3mp · תָּמַם (H8552)Infinitive construct with suffix, object of עַד→ Infinitive construct: marks the terminal point — 'until their being finished/consumed'תָּמַם (H8552) Qal 'to be complete, finished, consumed'; with 3mp suffix, 'until they were completely finished (killed)' — total annihilation of the field/wilderness pursuit.
וַיָּשֻׁ֤בוּand they returnedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · שׁוּב (H7725)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (main clause resumes)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, marks a new phaseשׁוּב (H7725) Qal 'to return, turn back'; marks the shift from field-battle to the second pass on the city itself.
כָלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (quantifier head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct governing יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'all Israel' as unified subject.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject (genitive of כָל)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) proper name; subject of the return to the city.
הָעַ֔יto Aiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Directional object (locative accusative, 'to Ai')עַי (H5857) 'Ai'; here functions as a directional accusative without an explicit preposition ('to/toward Ai'), common with motion verbs in Hebrew.
וַיַּכּ֥וּand they struckconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · נָכָה (H5221)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceנָכָה (H5221) Hiphil 'to strike, smite'; the second strike, now against the city itself (mopping-up).
אֹתָ֖הּ[obj] itobj marker + suffix 3fs · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object, 3fs referring to the city)אֵת (H853) + 3fs suffix, referring to הָעִיר/הָעַי as feminine ('the city'), object of the strike.
לְפִיby the edge ofprep לְ + N m sg cstr · פֶּה (H6310)Instrumental prepositional phrase (construct)פֶּה (H6310) 'mouth, edge'; repetition of the idiom לְפִי־חֶרֶב, 'by the sword', bracketing the verse's two slaughters.
חָֽרֶבthe swordN f sg abs · חֶרֶב (H2719)Genitive (construct chain, instrument)חֶרֶב (H2719) 'sword'; completes the second occurrence of the idiom, closing the verse with the same instrument of death.
25

וַיְהִי֩ כָל הַנֹּ֨פְלִ֜ים בַּיּ֤וֹם הַהוּא֙ מֵאִ֣ישׁ וְעַד אִשָּׁ֔ה שְׁנֵ֥ים עָשָׂ֖ר אָ֑לֶף כֹּ֖ל אַנְשֵׁ֥י הָעָֽי

And the total of those who fell that day, both men and women, was twelve thousand—all the people of Ai.

Summary/statistical closure of the battleasyndeton
This verse gives the herem's grim final tally without euphemism: 12,000 dead, explicitly 'from man to woman' — the inclusive merism makes clear that the ban's total destruction extended to the city's female population as well, matching the totality already signaled by שָׂרִיד וּפָלִיט in v.22.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וַיְהִי֩and it wasconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence (statistical summary formula)→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, introduces a summary tallyהָיָה (H1961) 'to be'; introduces the total-casualty count, a standard narrative summary formula.
כָלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (quantifier, subject)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct governing הַנֹּפְלִים, totalizing the fallen.
הַנֹּ֨פְלִ֜יםthe fallenart + Qal ptc m pl abs · נָפַל (H5307)Substantival participle (subject/genitive of כָל)→ Participle: substantival, denoting those who died — a completed classנָפַל (H5307) Qal participle 'to fall'; substantivized with the article, 'the fallen/those who died', the casualty total's referent.
בַּיּ֤וֹםon the dayprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Temporal prepositional phraseיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article and demonstrative, 'on that day', locating the tally within the single day's battle.
הַהוּא֙thatart + independent pronoun 3ms · הוּא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier of הַיּוֹםהוּא (H1931) demonstrative/3ms pronoun used adjectivally with the article, 'that (day)'.
מֵאִ֣ישׁfrom manprep מִן + N m sg abs · אִישׁ (H376)Prepositional phrase, first of merism pairאִישׁ (H376) 'man'; with מִן, first half of the inclusive merism 'from man to woman' — i.e. men and women alike.
וְעַדand toconj וְ + prep · עַד (H5704)Coordinating preposition, second half of merismעַד (H5704) 'as far as, until'; with וְ pairs with מִן to form the merism 'from...to...', expressing an inclusive totality.
אִשָּׁ֔הwomanN f sg abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Object of preposition עַד, second of merism pairאִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; second half of the merism — the total of 12,000 explicitly includes women, a stark, unsoftened detail of the ban's scope.
שְׁנֵ֥יםtwelvecardinal num m du abs · שְׁנַיִם (H8147)Numeral (part of compound number)שְׁנַיִם (H8147) 'two'; here in construct-like compound with עָשָׂר, forming 'twelve.'
עָשָׂ֖ר-teencardinal num m sg abs · עָשָׂר (H6240)Numeral (part of compound number)עָשָׂר (H6240) '-teen' (ten-suffix); combined with שְׁנַיִם, 'twelve.'
אָ֑לֶףthousandcardinal num c sg abs · אֶלֶף (H505)Numeral head, apposed to the compound numberאֶלֶף (H505) 'thousand'; the total tally, '12,000', of the day's dead.
כֹּ֖לallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (quantifier, appositional restatement)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; restates the totality in apposition, 'all the men of Ai' — a summary closing tag.
אַנְשֵׁ֥יthe men ofN m pl cstr · אִישׁ (H376)Construct noun (genitive-governing head)אִישׁ (H376) plural construct 'men of'; here in the collective sense 'the people of', not gender-restricted, summarizing the whole population.
הָעָֽיAiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Genitive (construct chain)עַי (H5857) 'Ai'; genitive completing 'all the people of Ai', the population wiped out.
26

וִיהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙ לֹֽא הֵשִׁ֣יב יָד֔וֹ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָטָ֖ה בַּכִּיד֑וֹן עַ֚ד אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶחֱרִ֔ים אֵ֖ת כָּל יֹשְׁבֵ֥י הָעָֽי

Joshua did not draw back his hand, which he had stretched out with the javelin, until he had devoted to destruction all the inhabitants of Ai.

Resumptive-explanatory — returns to and closes off the javelin motif from v.18asyndeton
This verse closes the frame opened in v.18: Joshua's outstretched javelin functions as a sustained battle-signal held until the herem is complete. The verb הֶחֱרִים deliberately echoes Jericho's total ban (ch.6, root חרם) but here the ban falls only on the population — the contrast with the goods (see vv.2, 27) is essential to the chapter's logic.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
וִיהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙and Joshuaconj וְ + proper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject (fronted for emphasis/topic shift)יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) proper name; fronted as subject, shifting focus back to Joshua's sustained gesture with the javelin (cf. v.18).
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negative particle governing the predicate verbלֹא (H3808) negative particle 'not'; negates הֵשִׁיב, 'did not withdraw.'
הֵשִׁ֣יבhe drew backHiphil perf 3ms · שׁוּב (H7725)Predicate verb (main clause, negated)→ Perfective: a durative/negated completed act — describing sustained non-actionשׁוּב (H7725) Hiphil 'to cause to return, draw back, withdraw'; negated, 'did not withdraw (his hand)', describing Joshua's unwavering gesture through the entire battle.
יָד֔וֹhis handN c sg cstr + suffix 3ms · יָד (H3027)Direct object of הֵשִׁיביָד (H3027) 'hand'; the object not withdrawn — the extended hand holding the javelin, a signal of ongoing command (cf. v.18).
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing modifying clause on יָדוֹאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle, introduces the clause describing the hand's prior action of stretching out.
נָטָ֖הhe had stretched outQal perf 3ms · נָטָה (H5186)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed act, prior to the main narrative line (pluperfect nuance)נָטָה (H5186) Qal 'to stretch out, extend'; describes the initial gesture of v.18, now recalled as background to the sustained posture of v.26.
בַּכִּיד֑וֹןwith the javelinprep בְּ + art + N m sg abs · כִּידוֹן (H3591)Instrumental prepositional phraseכִּידוֹן (H3591) 'javelin, sword'; the weapon/signal-device from v.18, the ambush-trigger, held aloft throughout the battle.
עַ֚דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase heading subordinate clauseעַד (H5704) 'until'; introduces the temporal clause marking when Joshua finally lowered his hand.
אֲשֶׁ֣רthatrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative/conjunctive particle completing עַד ('until that...')אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; with עַד forms the compound conjunction 'until', introducing the herem-completion clause.
הֶחֱרִ֔יםhe had devoted to destructionHiphil perf 3ms · חָרַם (H2763)Predicate verb of temporal clause→ Perfective: a completed act marking the terminus of the sustained gestureחָרַם (H2763) Hiphil 'to devote to destruction, put under the ban'; the herem-root, same as Jericho's total ban (ch.6), but here — per v.2/27 — applied only to the population, not the goods.
אֵ֖ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking the object of הֶחֱרִים — all the inhabitants of Ai.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Construct noun (quantifier head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct governing יֹשְׁבֵי, totalizing the ban's scope.
יֹשְׁבֵ֥יthe inhabitants ofQal ptc m pl cstr · יָשַׁב (H3427)Substantival participle, construct (genitive-governing head)→ Participle: substantival, denoting the class devoted to destructionיָשַׁב (H3427) Qal participle 'to dwell'; substantivized 'inhabitants', object of the herem.
הָעָֽיAiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Genitive (construct chain)עַי (H5857) 'Ai'; genitive completing 'the inhabitants of Ai', the population placed under the ban.
27

רַ֣ק הַבְּהֵמָ֗ה וּשְׁלַל֙ הָעִ֣יר הַהִ֔יא בָּזְז֥וּ לָהֶ֖ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּדְבַ֣ר יְהוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֖ה אֶת יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַ

Only the livestock and the spoil of that city Israel took as plunder for themselves, according to the word of the LORD that he had commanded Joshua.

Explanatory/exceptive — qualifies the preceding total destructionasyndeton
This verse closes the loop opened in v.2: unlike Jericho, where all spoil was banned (ch.6-7), at Ai the livestock and goods are explicitly permitted plunder, framed as direct compliance with YHWH's command rather than independent license — the contrast with Achan's sin at Jericho is implicit.
Word-by-word analysis· 14 words
רַ֣קonlyrestrictive particle · רַק (H7535)Restrictive particle (fronted, limiting the scope of the verb)רַק (H7535) restrictive particle 'only, just'; signals the explicit exception to the herem — livestock and spoil are exempted.
הַבְּהֵמָ֗הthe livestockart + N f sg abs · בְּהֵמָה (H929)Direct object (fronted, first of pair)בְּהֵמָה (H929) 'beast, livestock, cattle'; the first item permitted as plunder, per the command of v.2.
וּשְׁלַל֙and the spoil ofconj וּ + N m sg cstr · שָׁלָל (H7998)Direct object, construct (second of pair, conjoined)שָׁלָל (H7998) 'spoil, plunder'; construct governing הָעִיר, the second permitted category of goods.
הָעִ֣ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; genitive completing 'the spoil of the city', i.e. Ai's movable wealth.
הַהִ֔יאthatart + independent pronoun 3fs · הִיא (H1931)Demonstrative modifier of הָעִירהִיא (H1931) demonstrative/3fs pronoun used adjectivally, 'that (city)', i.e. Ai.
בָּזְז֥וּthey plunderedQal perf 3cp · בָּזַז (H962)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, authorized actבָּזַז (H962) Qal 'to plunder, take as spoil'; the permitted counterpart to the forbidden action at Jericho (ch.6-7).
לָהֶ֖םfor themselvesprep לְ + suffix 3mp · לְDative of advantage/reflexiveלְ + 3mp suffix, 'for themselves'; marks the plunder as retained benefit for Israel, unlike Jericho where all was to be destroyed or given to the treasury.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Subject of בָּזְזוּיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) proper name, subject of the plundering.
כִּדְבַ֣רaccording to the word ofprep כְּ + N m sg cstr · דָּבָר (H1697)Comparative/normative prepositional phrase (construct)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; construct with כְּ, 'according to the word of', framing the plunder as covenantal compliance, not license.
יְהוָ֔הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068) the divine name; the source of the command governing the plunder's legitimacy.
אֲשֶׁ֥רwhichrelative particle · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative particle introducing modifying clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle, introduces the clause specifying the content of YHWH's word.
צִוָּ֖הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb of relative clause→ Perfective: a completed, prior act of divine commissioningצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command, charge'; refers back to YHWH's instruction in v.2 permitting the plunder.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking Joshua as the object commanded.
יְהוֹשֻֽׁעַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Direct object of צִוָּהיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) proper name; the recipient of YHWH's command in v.2, now shown fulfilled.
28

וַיִּשְׂרֹ֥ף יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ אֶת הָעָ֑י וַיְשִׂימֶ֤הָ תֵּל עוֹלָם֙ שְׁמָמָ֔ה עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה

So Joshua burned Ai and made it a permanent mound of ruins, a desolation, to this day.

Concluding/etiological closure of the Ai narrativeasyndeton
The chapter's account of Ai's destruction ends with the fixed etiological formula 'to this day', signaling the narrator's later vantage point and asserting that the site's ruined state was still observable evidence for the story's audience — a common closing device in the conquest narratives.
Word-by-word analysis· 11 words
וַיִּשְׂרֹ֥ףand he burnedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · שָׂרַף (H8313)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance, decisive actשָׂרַף (H8313) Qal 'to burn'; final destructive act, same verb used for Jericho (6:24) and Hazor (11:11).
יְהוֹשֻׁ֖עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of וַיִּשְׂרֹףיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) proper name, subject; the burning is credited to Joshua as commander, though executed by the troops.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object markerאֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking Ai as the object burned.
הָעָ֑יAiart + proper noun · עַי (H5857)Direct object of וַיִּשְׂרֹףעַי (H5857) 'Ai', literally 'the ruin/heap' — a name that becomes grimly literal by the end of this verse.
וַיְשִׂימֶ֤הָand he made itconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms + suffix 3fs · שִׂים (H7760)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advanceשִׂים (H7760) Qal 'to put, set, make'; with 3fs suffix ('it' = the city), 'made it (into)', introducing the resulting double-predicate description.
תֵּלa moundN m sg cstr · תֵּל (H8510)Predicate accusative (construct, first of fixed idiom)תֵּל (H8510) 'mound, ruin-heap'; construct with עוֹלָם forming the fixed idiom תֵּל עוֹלָם, 'a permanent ruin-mound.'
עוֹלָם֙foreverN m sg abs · עוֹלָם (H5769)Genitive (construct chain, idiom)עוֹלָם (H5769) 'eternity, perpetuity'; completes the idiom תֵּל עוֹלָם, 'a mound/tell forever' — a fixed etiological phrase for a permanent ruin (cf. Deut 13:17).
שְׁמָמָ֔הa desolationN f sg abs · שְׁמָמָה (H8077)Predicate accusative (appositional to תֵּל עוֹלָם)שְׁמָמָה (H8077) 'desolation, waste'; appositional second predicate reinforcing the totality of Ai's ruin.
עַ֖דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phrase (etiological formula)עַד (H5704) 'until, to'; introduces the etiological closing formula 'to this day.'
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of preposition עַדיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with article and demonstrative, part of the fixed etiological formula 'to this day.'
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pronoun m sg · זֶה (H2088)Demonstrative modifier of הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) demonstrative 'this'; completes עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, 'to this day' — an etiological formula marking the narrator's own later vantage point, asserting that Ai's ruin was still visible when the account was written.
29

וְאֶת מֶ֧לֶךְ הָעַ֛י תָּלָ֥ה עַל הָעֵ֖ץ עַד עֵ֣ת הָעָ֑רֶב וּכְב֣וֹא הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ֩ צִוָּ֨ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַ וַיֹּרִ֧ידוּ אֶת נִבְלָת֣וֹ מִן הָעֵ֗ץ וַיַּשְׁלִ֤יכוּ אוֹתָהּ֙ אֶל פֶּ֨תַח֙ שַׁ֣עַר הָעִ֔יר וַיָּקִ֤ימוּ עָלָיו֙ גַּל אֲבָנִ֣ים גָּד֔וֹל עַ֖ד הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה

And he hanged the king of Ai on the tree until the time of evening; and at sunset Joshua commanded, and they took his corpse down from the tree and threw it at the entrance of the gate of the city, and raised over it a great heap of stones — to this day.

Continuation/resumption of the execution reportוְ
The verse resumes the notice of the king's hanging (v.23) and narrates its resolution before nightfall — a deliberate enactment of Deut 21:22-23's requirement that an executed body not remain on the tree overnight but be removed so the land not be defiled. The memorial cairn at the city gate, echoing 7:26's judgment-heap over Achan, closes the Ai narrative with the formulaic 'to this day.'
Word-by-word analysis· 32 words
וְאֶתand [obj]conj וְ + obj marker · אֵת (H853)Conjunction + direct-object marker (fronted direct object)וְ (conj) continues the narrative; אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marks the definite direct object מֶלֶךְ הָעַי, fronted before the verb תָּלָה for topical prominence.
מֶ֧לֶךְthe king ofN m sg cstr · מֶלֶךְ (H4428)Direct object (construct head, fronted)מֶלֶךְ (H4428) 'king'; construct before הָעַי, 'king of Ai' — the same figure hanged since v.23.
הָעַ֛יAiart + proper noun · הָעַי (H5857)Genitive (construct chain, place name)עַי (H5857) 'the ruin/heap', the city name, customarily with the article; completes the construct chain 'king of Ai'.
תָּלָ֥הhe had hangedQal perf 3ms · תָּלָה (H8518)Predicate verb (main clause, resumptive)→ Perfective: resuming the prior notice of the hanging (v.23) as an accomplished act now to be resolvedתָּלָה (H8518) 'to hang, suspend'; resumes the impalement of the king before narrating its removal at evening.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; governs הָעֵץ, the site of the hanging.
הָעֵ֖ץthe treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Object of preposition עַלעֵץ (H6086) 'tree, wood'; the gallows-tree of Deut 21:22-23, where an executed criminal's body was displayed as a public sign of judgment.
עַדuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until, as far as'; marks the temporal limit of the exposure — the body must not remain overnight (Deut 21:23).
עֵ֣תthe time ofN c sg cstr · עֵת (H6256)Construct head (temporal)עֵת (H6256) 'time, season'; construct before הָעֶרֶב, 'the time of evening'.
הָעָ֑רֶבthe eveningart + N m sg abs · עֶרֶב (H6153)Genitive (construct chain)עֶרֶב (H6153) 'evening, sunset'; completes 'the time of evening' — the deadline set by Deut 21:23 for removing a hanged body.
וּכְב֣וֹאand at the coming ofconj וְ + prep כְּ + Qal inf constr · בּוֹא (H935)Temporal infinitive-construct clause (subordinate deadline marker)→ Infinitive construct: a temporal hinge — sunset triggers Joshua's command, echoing Deut 21:23's requirementבּוֹא (H935) 'to come, go in'; with כְּ + infinitive construct, 'as/when the sun came [down]' — idiom for sunset, the legal deadline of Deut 21:23.
הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ֩the sunart + N c sg abs · שֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121)Subject of the infinitive בּוֹאשֶׁמֶשׁ (H8121) 'sun'; subject of the coming/setting, marking sunset — the moment by which Deut 21:22-23 required a hanged corpse removed.
צִוָּ֨הhe commandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a decisive, completed commandצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command, order'; Joshua's directive to comply with the Deuteronomic law before nightfall.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֜עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of צִוָּהיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'Joshua'; here acting as the covenant-law-observant commander, ensuring Deut 21:22-23 compliance.
וַיֹּרִ֧ידוּand they brought downconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · יָרַד (H3381)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — executing Joshua's commandיָרַד (H3381) Hiphil 'to bring down, take down'; the men obey by lowering the corpse from the tree before nightfall, per Deut 21:23.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking נִבְלָתוֹ as the definite direct object of וַיֹּרִידוּ.
נִבְלָת֣וֹhis corpseN f sg cstr + suffix 3ms · נְבֵלָה (H5038)Direct objectנְבֵלָה (H5038) 'corpse, carcass'; a term of degradation for a dead body, here with 3ms suffix, 'his corpse' — treated as ignominious refuse.
מִןfromprep · מִן (H4480)Prepositional phrase (source)מִן (H4480) 'from'; source of removal, governing הָעֵץ.
הָעֵ֗ץthe treeart + N m sg abs · עֵץ (H6086)Object of preposition מִןעֵץ (H6086) 'tree'; repeated reference to the gallows-tree, now the point from which the body is removed.
וַיַּשְׁלִ֤יכוּand they threwconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · שָׁלַךְ (H7993)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — disposing of the body without honorשָׁלַךְ (H7993) Hiphil 'to throw, cast, fling'; the corpse is unceremoniously cast down, contrasting with honorable burial.
אוֹתָהּ֙itobj marker + suffix 3fs · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker with pronominal suffix (resumptive)אֵת (H853) + 3fs suffix, 'it' — referring back to נְבֵלָה (fem. noun), the corpse, as direct object of וַיַּשְׁלִיכוּ.
אֶלatprep · אֶל (H413)Locative prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; marks the destination of the casting — the city gate.
פֶּ֨תַח֙the entrance ofN m sg cstr · פֶּתַח (H6607)Construct head (locative)פֶּתַח (H6607) 'opening, entrance'; construct before שַׁעַר, 'entrance of the gate' — a public, high-traffic location for the display.
שַׁ֣עַרthe gate ofN m sg cstr · שַׁעַר (H8179)Construct (genitival chain)שַׁעַר (H8179) 'gate'; construct before הָעִיר — city gates were sites of legal/public transactions, apt for a public warning.
הָעִ֔ירthe cityart + N f sg abs · עִיר (H5892)Genitive (construct chain)עִיר (H5892) 'city'; completes 'entrance of the gate of the city' — the ruined city of Ai.
וַיָּקִ֤ימוּand they raisedconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · קוּם (H6965)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the concluding act of the pericopeקוּם (H6965) Hiphil 'to raise, set up'; erecting the memorial cairn, echoing 7:26's heap over Achan — a formulaic sign of judgment.
עָלָיו֙over himprep עַל + suffix 3ms · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) + 3ms suffix, 'over him'; the heap is raised over the corpse/site as a lasting marker.
גַּלa heap ofN m sg cstr · גַּל (H1530)Direct object (construct head)גַּל (H1530) 'heap, pile'; construct before אֲבָנִים — identical formula to 7:26 (Achan), marking a site of judgment 'to this day'.
אֲבָנִ֣יםstonesN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive (construct chain)אֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; the material of the memorial cairn.
גָּד֔וֹלgreatadj m sg abs · גָּדוֹל (H1419)Attributive adjective modifying גַּלגָּדוֹל (H1419) 'great, large'; emphasizes the size/permanence of the memorial heap.
עַ֖דuntilprep · עַד (H5704)Temporal prepositional phraseעַד (H5704) 'until, up to'; introduces the standard etiological formula 'to this day'.
הַיּ֥וֹםthe dayart + N m sg abs · יוֹם (H3117)Object of preposition עַדיוֹם (H3117) 'day'; with הַזֶּה forms the etiological formula 'to this day', signaling the memorial's ongoing visibility at the time of writing.
הַזֶּֽהthisart + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Attributive demonstrative modifying הַיּוֹםזֶה (H2088) 'this'; completes the etiological closing formula עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, common in Joshua to mark enduring landmarks.
30

אָ֣ז יִבְנֶ֤ה יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙ מִזְבֵּ֔חַ לַֽיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בְּהַ֖ר עֵיבָֽל

Then Joshua built an altar to YHWH the God of Israel on Mount Ebal,

Scene-shift / new pericope opening (temporal adverb, not strict sequence)אָז
אָז marks an abrupt transition from the battle-and-execution narrative of vv.1-29 to the covenant-renewal ceremony of vv.30-35, fulfilling Deut 27:1-8; the shift in register (from war-report to cultic/liturgical description) signals a new literary unit. Note: in the LXX and in the Qumran fragment 4QJosh-a this Ebal pericope stands in a different location in the book (near the end of ch.4 / beginning of ch.5, immediately after the Gilgal crossing), a textual/compositional variant worth noting though not resolved here.
Word-by-word analysis· 9 words
אָ֣זthenadv · אָז (H227)Temporal adverb (marks scene transition)אָז (H227) 'then, at that time'; a discourse marker introducing a new, non-sequential episode — signals a scene shift from the battle report to the covenant ceremony, not necessarily strict chronological sequence.
יִבְנֶ֤הbuiltQal impf(narrative) 3ms · בָּנָה (H1129)Predicate verb (main clause, opening new pericope)→ Yiqtol-preterite after אָז: a fossilized narrative-past construction, not genuine imperfective — 'then Joshua built'בָּנָה (H1129) 'to build'; the yiqtol form after אָז is an archaic preterite pattern (cf. Exod 15:1), reporting the altar's construction as a completed act.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֨עַ֙Joshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of יִבְנֶהיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) 'Joshua'; the covenant mediator here fulfilling Moses' Deut 27:1-8 instructions.
מִזְבֵּ֔חַan altarN m sg abs · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Direct objectמִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar', from זָבַח 'to slaughter/sacrifice'; the object built, per Deut 27:5-6, on Mount Ebal.
לַֽיהוָ֖הto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative/indirect object (dedication)יְהוָה (H3068) the covenant name of Israel's God; the altar is dedicated to him, fulfilling Deut 27:5.
אֱלֹהֵ֣יthe God ofN m pl cstr · אֱלֹהִים (H430)Construct (apposition to יְהוָה)אֱלֹהִים (H430) 'God'; construct before יִשְׂרָאֵל, in apposition to יְהוָה — 'YHWH, the God of Israel', a full covenant-name formula.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) the nation's covenant name; completes 'YHWH the God of Israel'.
בְּהַ֖רon Mountprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · הַר (H2022)Locative prepositional phraseהַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct before עֵיבָל, locating the altar on Mount Ebal, per Deut 27:4.
עֵיבָֽלEbalproper noun · עֵיבָל (H5858)Genitive (construct chain, place name)עֵיבָל (H5858) Mount Ebal, the mountain of the curse in Deut 27:13 (opposite Gerizim, the mountain of blessing); the site Moses designated for the altar in Deut 27:4-5.
31

כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר צִוָּה֩ מֹשֶׁ֨ה עֶֽבֶד יְהוָ֜ה אֶת בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל כַּכָּתוּב֙ בְּסֵ֨פֶר֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה מִזְבַּח֙ אֲבָנִ֣ים שְׁלֵמ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֛ר לֹֽא הֵנִ֥יף עֲלֵיהֶ֖ן בַּרְזֶ֑ל וַיַּעֲל֨וּ עָלָ֤יו עֹלוֹת֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה וַֽיִּזְבְּח֖וּ שְׁלָמִֽים

just as Moses the servant of YHWH had commanded the sons of Israel, as it is written in the book of the law of Moses — an altar of whole stones, upon which no iron had been wielded — and they offered burnt offerings on it to YHWH, and sacrificed peace offerings.

Comparative/conformity clause elaborating v.30's altarkaʾasher
This verse anchors the altar's construction in written Mosaic authority via two markers: the phrase 'as Moses commanded' and the citation formula 'as it is written in the book of the law of Moses,' one of the earliest scriptural self-citations in the Hebrew Bible. The unhewn-stone requirement and the iron-tool prohibition directly echo Exod 20:25 and Deut 27:5-6, grounding the altar's legitimacy in prior legislation rather than innovation.
Word-by-word analysis· 26 words
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣רjust asprep כְּ + relative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction (introduces conformity clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle with prep כְּ, 'according as, just as'; introduces the clause of conformity to Mosaic instruction — the altar built exactly as commanded.
צִוָּה֩commandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (subordinate comparative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative command (Moses' prior instruction)צִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; refers to Moses' instructions in Deut 27:1-8.
מֹשֶׁ֨הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses, the lawgiver whose Deut 27 instructions Joshua now fulfills.
עֶֽבֶדthe servant ofN m sg cstr · עֶבֶד (H5650)Apposition to מֹשֶׁה (construct head, title)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant, slave'; construct before יְהוָה, the honorific title 'servant of YHWH' consistently applied to Moses in Joshua, underscoring his authority as covenant mediator.
יְהוָ֜הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068) completes the title 'servant of YHWH'.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל as the object of Moses' command.
בְּנֵ֣יthe sons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Direct object (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct before יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'sons of Israel' = the Israelites, recipients of Moses' Deut 27 command.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) completes 'sons of Israel'.
כַּכָּתוּב֙as it is writtenprep כְּ + art + Qal passive ptc ms · כָּתַב (H3789)Comparative clause (citation formula, passive participle as predicate)→ Passive participle: a stative citation formula pointing to a written, authoritative textual sourceכָּתַב (H3789) Qal passive ptc 'written'; the formula כַּכָּתוּב 'as it is written' is a citation-formula appealing to a fixed written text — here 'the book of the law of Moses' — the same formula recurs in v.34, framing the whole ceremony as textually anchored obedience.
בְּסֵ֨פֶר֙in the book ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · סֵפֶר (H5612)Locative prepositional phrase (source of citation)סֵפֶר (H5612) 'book, scroll'; construct before תּוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה, naming the written source being cited — an early reference to a fixed Mosaic torah-document.
תּוֹרַ֣תthe law ofN f sg cstr · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive (construct chain)תּוֹרָה (H8451) 'law, instruction'; construct before מֹשֶׁה — the same phrase 'the book of the law of Moses' recurs in v.32 and (as 'the book of the law') in v.34.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive (construct chain)מֹשֶׁה (H4872) completes 'the book of the law of Moses'.
מִזְבַּח֙an altar ofN m sg cstr · מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196)Direct object (construct head, resuming v.30's altar)מִזְבֵּחַ (H4196) 'altar'; construct before אֲבָנִים, specifying the material — resumes and specifies the altar of v.30.
אֲבָנִ֣יםstonesN f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Genitive (construct chain)אֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; completes 'altar of stones', per Exod 20:25 and Deut 27:5-6 which mandate unhewn field-stones rather than cut/dressed stone.
שְׁלֵמ֔וֹתwhole/unhewnadj f pl abs · שָׁלֵם (H8003)Attributive adjective modifying אֲבָנִיםשָׁלֵם (H8003) 'whole, complete, unblemished'; here of stones untouched by an iron tool — 'whole' in the sense of natural, unhewn — matching Deut 27:6's אֲבָנִים שְׁלֵמוֹת exactly.
אֲשֶׁ֛רon whichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a restrictive clause on אֲבָנִיםאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the qualifying clause explaining why the stones are 'whole' — no iron had touched them.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the verb הֵנִיףלֹא (H3808) standard negative particle; negates the wielding of iron, echoing the prohibition in Exod 20:25/Deut 27:5 against a hewn altar.
הֵנִ֥יףhad wieldedHiphil perf 3ms · נוּף (H5130)Predicate verb (relative clause, negated)→ Perfective: a negated completed act — the iron tool never touched these stonesנוּף (H5130) Hiphil 'to wave, swing, wield'; here of wielding an iron cutting-tool — the negated act underscores the stones' unworked, natural state, consonant with Deut 27:5-6's altar law.
עֲלֵיהֶ֖ןover themprep עַל + suffix 3fp · עַל (H5921)Prepositional phrase (object of הֵנִיף, referring back to אֲבָנִים)עַל (H5921) + 3fp suffix, 'over/upon them' (fem. pl., referring to the stones).
בַּרְזֶ֑לironN m sg abs · בַּרְזֶל (H1270)Subject of הֵנִיףבַּרְזֶל (H1270) 'iron'; subject of the negated verb — 'no iron was wielded over them', the legal ground being that a metal tool would 'profane' the altar (Exod 20:25).
וַיַּעֲל֨וּand they offered upconj וַ + Hiphil wayyiqtol 3mp · עָלָה (H5927)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — the cultic act following the altar's constructionעָלָה (H5927) Hiphil 'to bring up, offer up' (causative of 'to go up'); technical term for offering a burnt sacrifice, cognate with עֹלָה 'burnt offering'.
עָלָ֤יוon itprep עַל + suffix 3ms · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) + 3ms suffix, 'on it' (the altar).
עֹלוֹת֙burnt offeringsN f pl abs · עֹלָה (H5930)Direct objectעֹלָה (H5930) 'burnt offering', from עָלָה 'to go up' — wholly consumed on the altar, its smoke 'going up' to God; the primary Israelite sacrifice of consecration.
לַֽיהוָ֔הto YHWHprep לְ + proper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Dative (recipient of the offering)יְהוָה (H3068) the covenant name; recipient of the burnt offerings, marking the ceremony's cultic legitimacy.
וַֽיִּזְבְּח֖וּand they sacrificedconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3mp · זָבַח (H2076)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a second, distinct offering-actזָבַח (H2076) Qal 'to slaughter, sacrifice'; here of offering שְׁלָמִים, a communal sacrifice eaten in part by the offerers, unlike the wholly-consumed עֹלָה.
שְׁלָמִֽיםpeace offeringsN m pl abs · שֶׁלֶם (H8002)Direct objectשֶׁלֶם (H8002) 'peace/fellowship offering', from שָׁלוֹם 'peace, wellbeing'; a communal sacrifice celebrating covenant fellowship — fitting for this covenant-renewal ceremony, paired with the עֹלָה per Deut 27:6-7.
32

וַיִּכְתָּב שָׁ֖ם עַל הָאֲבָנִ֑ים אֵ֗ת מִשְׁנֵה֙ תּוֹרַ֣ת מֹשֶׁ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר כָּתַ֔ב לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל

And there he wrote on the stones a copy of the law of Moses, which he had written, before the sons of Israel.

Continuation of the altar/covenant scene (asyndeton, wayyiqtol chain)asyndeton
mishneh torat Mosheh here deliberately echoes the Deut 17:18 king's-law provision requiring Israel's future king to write for himself 'a copy of this torah' — applying that royal-scribal act to Joshua at the covenant altar casts him as a torah-shaped leader even before any king exists, and frames covenant fidelity as textual, public, and binding on the whole nation.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וַיִּכְתָּבand he wroteconj וַ + Qal wayyiqtol 3ms · כָּתַב (H3789)Wayyiqtol of narrative sequence→ Wayyiqtol: foregrounded narrative advance — a new act following the sacrificesכָּתַב (H3789) Qal 'to write'; Joshua's inscribing act, paralleling Moses' own writing of the torah (Deut 31:9) and the king's-law provision of Deut 17:18.
שָׁ֖םthereadv · שָׁם (H8033)Locative adverbשָׁם (H8033) 'there'; refers back to Mount Ebal, the site of the altar.
עַלonprep · עַל (H5921)Locative prepositional phraseעַל (H5921) 'on, upon'; governs הָאֲבָנִים, the surface written on.
הָאֲבָנִ֑יםthe stonesart + N f pl abs · אֶבֶן (H68)Object of preposition עַלאֶבֶן (H68) 'stone'; the plastered stones of the altar/monument, per Deut 27:2-4,8 which prescribe inscribing the torah on large stones coated with plaster.
אֵ֗ת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking מִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרַת מֹשֶׁה as the object of וַיִּכְתָּב.
מִשְׁנֵה֙a copy ofN m sg cstr · מִשְׁנֶה (H4932)Direct object (construct head)מִשְׁנֶה (H4932) 'copy, duplicate; second (in rank)', from שָׁנָה 'to repeat/double'. This is the identical phrase used in Deut 17:18 for the copy of the torah that Israel's future king must write for himself — its deliberate echo here casts Joshua, at the moment of covenant renewal, in the king's-law role of one who personally inscribes and internalizes the torah, though he holds no throne.
תּוֹרַ֣תthe law ofN f sg cstr · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive (construct chain)תּוֹרָה (H8451) 'law, instruction'; construct before מֹשֶׁה, completing 'a copy of the law of Moses' — echoing Deut 17:18's מִשְׁנֵה הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת.
מֹשֶׁ֔הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Genitive (construct chain)מֹשֶׁה (H4872) completes 'the law of Moses'.
אֲשֶׁ֣רwhichrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a clause on מִשְׁנֵה תּוֹרַת מֹשֶׁהאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the clause specifying that Joshua himself had written it.
כָּתַ֔בhe had writtenQal perf 3ms · כָּתַב (H3789)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed prior act, viewed as antecedent to the public writing on stoneכָּתַב (H3789) Qal 'to write'; the antecedent act (perhaps on a separate scroll/copy) that Joshua now transfers to the stones, emphasizing the deliberateness of the act.
לִפְנֵ֖יbeforeprep לְ + N c pl cstr · פָּנִים (H6440)Locative prepositional phrase (audience marker)פָּנִים (H6440) 'face'; idiom לִפְנֵי 'before, in the presence of' — the writing is done publicly, witnessed by the assembly.
בְּנֵ֥יthe sons ofN m pl cstr · בֵּן (H1121)Object of preposition לִפְנֵי (construct head)בֵּן (H1121) 'son'; construct before יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'the sons of Israel' — the whole nation witnesses Joshua's inscription.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽלIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) completes 'the sons of Israel'.
33

וְכָל יִשְׂרָאֵ֡ל וּזְקֵנָ֡יו וְשֹׁטְרִ֣ים וְשֹׁפְטָ֡יו עֹמְדִ֣ים מִזֶּ֣ה וּמִזֶּ֣ה לָאָר֡וֹן נֶגֶד֩ הַכֹּהֲנִ֨ים הַלְוִיִּ֜ם נֹשְׂאֵ֣י אֲר֣וֹן בְּרִית יְהוָ֗ה כַּגֵּר֙ כָּֽאֶזְרָ֔ח חֶצְיוֹ֙ אֶל מ֣וּל הַר גְּרִזִ֔ים וְהַֽחֶצְי֖וֹ אֶל מ֣וּל הַר עֵיבָ֑ל כַּאֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֜ה מֹשֶׁ֣ה עֶֽבֶד יְהוָ֗ה לְבָרֵ֛ךְ אֶת הָעָ֥ם יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בָּרִאשֹׁנָֽה

And all Israel, and its elders and officers and its judges, were standing on this side and that side of the ark, in front of the Levitical priests who carry the ark of the covenant of YHWH, the sojourner as well as the native-born, half of them toward Mount Gerizim and half of them toward Mount Ebal, just as Moses the servant of YHWH had commanded, to bless the people of Israel first.

Continuation — describes the assembly's formal positioning for the ceremonyasyndeton
The fourfold leadership list (people, elders, officers, judges) and the deliberate inclusion of 'sojourner as well as native-born' (kaggēr kāʾezraḥ) stress that the covenant renewal binds the entire community without exception, anticipating the even fuller inclusive list of v.35. The clause 'to bless the people of Israel first' highlights, against Deut 27:12-13's simple tribal roster, that blessing is given priority over the curse about to be read in v.34.
Word-by-word analysis· 38 words
וְכָלand allconj וְ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Subject (construct head, compound subject begins)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before יִשְׂרָאֵל, opening the long compound subject of the standing-ceremony scene.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֡לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) completes 'all Israel', the first and most comprehensive member of the compound subject.
וּזְקֵנָ֡יוand its eldersconj וְ + adj m pl cstr + suffix 3ms · זָקֵן (H2205)Subject (coordinate member of compound subject)זָקֵן (H2205) 'old, elder'; substantivized as 'elders', with 3ms suffix referring back to Israel — the tribal/clan leadership.
וְשֹׁטְרִ֣יםand officersconj וְ + Qal ptc mp · שָׁטַר (H7860)Subject (substantival participle, coordinate member)→ Participle: substantival, denoting an office/role rather than an ongoing action — 'officers, officials'שָׁטַר (H7860) Qal ptc 'one who records/administers' — officials/officers, often scribal-administrative functionaries assisting judges (cf. Deut 16:18).
וְשֹׁפְטָ֡יוand its judgesconj וְ + Qal ptc mp cstr + suffix 3ms · שָׁפַט (H8199)Subject (substantival participle, coordinate member)→ Participle: substantival, denoting the office of judgeשָׁפַט (H8199) Qal ptc 'one who judges' — judges/magistrates, with 3ms suffix referring to Israel; together with עֹמְדִים the fourfold leadership list (people, elders, officers, judges) mirrors Deut 29:9-10's covenant-assembly roster.
עֹמְדִ֣יםstandingQal ptc mp · עָמַד (H5975)Predicate participle (main clause, describing posture of the whole subject)→ Participle: describes the sustained posture/position of the assembly during the ceremonyעָמַד (H5975) Qal 'to stand'; the participle depicts the entire community positioned flanking the ark, a formal ceremonial stance.
מִזֶּ֣הon this sideprep מִן + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Locative adverbial phraseזֶה (H2088) with מִן, idiom 'from this (side)'; paired with וּמִזֶּה 'and from that (side)' for 'on this side and that' — flanking the ark.
וּמִזֶּ֣הand on that sideconj וְ + prep מִן + demonstrative pron ms · זֶה (H2088)Locative adverbial phrase (paired with מִזֶּה)זֶה (H2088) repeated with מִן, completing the merism 'this side...that side' — the assembly divided symmetrically around the ark.
לָאָר֡וֹןof the arkprep לְ + art + N c sg abs · אָרוֹן (H727)Locative/relational prepositional phrase (governs מִזֶּה...וּמִזֶּה)אָרוֹן (H727) 'ark, chest'; the ark of the covenant, the ceremony's central object, flanked by the divided assembly.
נֶגֶד֩in front ofprep · נֶגֶד (H5048)Locative prepositional phraseנֶגֶד (H5048) 'in front of, opposite'; positions the assembly facing the priests who bear the ark.
הַכֹּהֲנִ֨יםthe priestsart + N m pl abs · כֹּהֵן (H3548)Object of preposition נֶגֶדכֹּהֵן (H3548) 'priest'; here further specified as הַלְוִיִּם, the Levitical priesthood authorized to carry the ark.
הַלְוִיִּ֜םthe Leviticalart + gentilic adj mp · לֵוִי (H3881)Attributive (apposition to הַכֹּהֲנִים)לֵוִי (H3881) gentilic 'Levite/Levitical'; identifies the priests as of the tribe of Levi, the only ones permitted to bear the ark (cf. Deut 31:9).
נֹשְׂאֵ֣יwho carryQal ptc mp cstr · נָשָׂא (H5375)Attributive/substantival participle (apposition, 'bearers of')→ Participle: describes the priests' ongoing function/role as ark-bearersנָשָׂא (H5375) Qal ptc cstr 'bearers of'; construct before אֲרוֹן, the customary designation of the priestly ark-carriers.
אֲר֣וֹןthe ark ofN c sg cstr · אָרוֹן (H727)Direct object of participle (construct head)אָרוֹן (H727) 'ark'; construct before בְּרִית יְהוָה, 'ark of the covenant of YHWH' — the full covenant title.
בְּרִיתthe covenant ofN f sg cstr · בְּרִית (H1285)Genitive (construct chain)בְּרִית (H1285) 'covenant'; construct before יְהוָה, completing the ark's full formal title, apt for this covenant-renewal scene.
יְהוָ֗הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068) completes 'the ark of the covenant of YHWH'.
כַּגֵּר֙the sojourner as well asprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Adverbial/comparative phrase (inclusive pairing with כָּאֶזְרָח)גֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; paired with כָּאֶזְרָח to explicitly include the non-native resident in the covenant assembly — an inclusive formula recurring at the chapter's close (v.35) and matching Lev 24:22's legal-equality principle.
כָּֽאֶזְרָ֔חas the native-bornprep כְּ + art + N m sg abs · אֶזְרָח (H249)Adverbial/comparative phrase (paired with כַּגֵּר)אֶזְרָח (H249) 'native, native-born citizen'; paired with כַּגֵּר, 'sojourner as well as native-born' — the covenant ceremony binds the whole community without ethnic distinction.
חֶצְיוֹ֙half of itN m sg cstr + suffix 3ms · חֵצִי (H2677)Subject (distributive, first half of the assembly)חֵצִי (H2677) 'half'; with 3ms suffix, 'half of it [the people]' — dividing the assembly toward the two mountains per Deut 27:12-13.
אֶלtowardprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directs the first half toward Mount Gerizim.
מ֣וּלin front ofprep · מוּל (H4136)Locative prepositional phrase (compound with אֶל)מוּל (H4136) 'in front of, opposite'; specifies facing Mount Gerizim.
הַרMountN m sg cstr · הַר (H2022)Construct head (locative)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct before גְּרִזִים.
גְּרִזִ֔יםGerizimproper noun · גְּרִזִים (H1630)Genitive (construct chain, place name)גְּרִזִים (H1630) Mount Gerizim, the mountain of blessing (Deut 27:12), facing Ebal across the Shechem valley.
וְהַֽחֶצְי֖וֹand the other half of itconj וְ + art + N m sg cstr + suffix 3ms · חֵצִי (H2677)Subject (distributive, second half of the assembly)חֵצִי (H2677) 'half'; with article and 3ms suffix, 'and the [other] half of it', the complementary half directed toward Ebal.
אֶלtowardprep · אֶל (H413)Directional prepositional phraseאֶל (H413) 'to, toward'; directs the second half toward Mount Ebal.
מ֣וּלin front ofprep · מוּל (H4136)Locative prepositional phrase (compound with אֶל)מוּל (H4136) 'in front of, opposite'; specifies facing Mount Ebal.
הַרMountN m sg cstr · הַר (H2022)Construct head (locative)הַר (H2022) 'mountain'; construct before עֵיבָל.
עֵיבָ֑לEbalproper noun · עֵיבָל (H5858)Genitive (construct chain, place name)עֵיבָל (H5858) Mount Ebal, the mountain of the curse (Deut 27:13), the site of the altar in v.30.
כַּאֲשֶׁ֨רjust asprep כְּ + relative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Comparative subordinating conjunction (introduces conformity clause)אֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle with כְּ, 'according as'; again grounds the ceremony's arrangement in Mosaic command, matching v.31's identical formula.
צִוָּ֜הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (subordinate comparative clause)→ Perfective: a completed, authoritative prior commandצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; Moses' instructions in Deut 27:12-13 for the tribal division on the two mountains.
מֹשֶׁ֣הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses, whose Deut 27 instructions are being fulfilled point by point.
עֶֽבֶדthe servant ofN m sg cstr · עֶבֶד (H5650)Apposition to מֹשֶׁה (title)עֶבֶד (H5650) 'servant'; construct before יְהוָה, the recurring honorific title for Moses (cf. v.31).
יְהוָ֗הYHWHproper noun · יְהוָה (H3068)Genitive (construct chain)יְהוָה (H3068) completes 'servant of YHWH'.
לְבָרֵ֛ךְto blessprep לְ + Piel inf constr · בֵּרַךְ (H1288)Purpose/result infinitive clause (goal of Moses' command)→ Infinitive construct: expresses purpose — the ceremony's aim, blessing given priorityבָּרַךְ (H1288) Piel 'to bless'; the infinitive with לְ marks purpose — the whole ordering of the assembly serves the goal of pronouncing blessing on the people, with בָּרִאשֹׁנָה stressing that the blessing is voiced first.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking הָעָם יִשְׂרָאֵל as the object of לְבָרֵךְ.
הָעָ֥םthe people ofart + N m sg abs · עַם (H5971)Direct object (in apposition with יִשְׂרָאֵל)עַם (H5971) 'people'; in apposition with יִשְׂרָאֵל, 'the people, Israel' — the object of the blessing.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖לIsraelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Apposition to הָעָםיִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) in apposition to הָעָם, identifying the people blessed.
בָּרִאשֹׁנָֽהfirstprep בְּ + art + adj f sg abs (adverbial) · רִאשׁוֹן (H7223)Adverbial accusative of priority, modifying לְבָרֵךְרִאשׁוֹן (H7223) 'first'; used adverbially, 'at the first, first of all' — emphasizing that, per Deut 27:12-13's ordering of tribes for blessing and cursing, the blessing is pronounced first, priority given to grace before the curse of v.34.
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וְאַֽחֲרֵי כֵ֗ן קָרָא֙ אֶת כָּל דִּבְרֵ֣י הַתּוֹרָ֔ה הַבְּרָכָ֖ה וְהַקְּלָלָ֑ה כְּכָל הַכָּת֖וּב בְּסֵ֥פֶר הַתּוֹרָֽה

And after that he read all the words of the law, the blessing and the curse, according to all that is written in the book of the law.

Sequential — new stage following the assembly's positioning (v.33)wə-ʾaḥărê ḵēn
The verse repeats v.31's citation formula ('as it is written in the book of the law', matching v.31's 'as it is written in the book of the law of Moses'), bracketing the whole pericope with appeals to a fixed written Mosaic text; 'all the words... the blessing and the curse' anticipates the emphatic totality claim of v.35, that nothing commanded was left unread.
Word-by-word analysis· 13 words
וְאַֽחֲרֵיand afterconj וְ + prep · אַחַר (H310)Temporal prepositional phrase (paired with כֵן)אַחַר (H310) 'after, behind'; with כֵּן forms the temporal connective 'after that', marking a new stage in the ceremony following the positioning of v.33.
כֵ֗ןthatadv · כֵּן (H3651)Adverb completing the phrase אַחֲרֵי כֵןכֵּן (H3651) 'thus, so'; with אַחֲרֵי forms the fixed temporal idiom 'after that, afterward'.
קָרָא֙he readQal perf 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (main clause)→ Perfective: a completed, deliberate public actקָרָא (H7121) Qal 'to call, read aloud, proclaim'; the public, oral proclamation of the torah text, fulfilling Deut 27:8's instruction and anticipating Deut 31:11's covenant-reading command.
אֶת[obj]obj marker · אֵת (H853)Direct-object marker (definite object)אֵת (H853) nota accusativi marking כָּל דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה as the object of קָרָא.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Direct object (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all, every'; construct before דִּבְרֵי, stressing completeness — nothing omitted, a theme resumed emphatically in v.35.
דִּבְרֵ֣יthe words ofN m pl cstr · דָּבָר (H1697)Genitive (construct chain)דָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing'; construct before הַתּוֹרָה, 'the words of the law' — the same term recurs as 'not a word' (v.35) in the negated totality formula.
הַתּוֹרָ֔הthe lawart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive (construct chain)תּוֹרָה (H8451) 'law, instruction'; the whole body of Mosaic teaching, being read in full.
הַבְּרָכָ֖הthe blessingart + N f sg abs · בְּרָכָה (H1293)Apposition/further specification of הַתּוֹרָהבְּרָכָה (H1293) 'blessing'; specifying that the torah reading included both halves of the Deut 27-28 covenant sanctions, taken up first per v.33's לְבָרֵךְ בָּרִאשֹׁנָה.
וְהַקְּלָלָ֑הand the curseconj וְ + art + N f sg abs · קְלָלָה (H7045)Apposition/further specification of הַתּוֹרָה (coordinate with הַבְּרָכָה)קְלָלָה (H7045) 'curse'; paired with הַבְּרָכָה, 'the blessing and the curse' — the twin covenant sanctions of Deut 27-28, both read aloud in full, omitting nothing.
כְּכָלaccording to allprep כְּ + N m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Comparative prepositional phrase (citation formula)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct, with כְּ, introducing the second citation formula of the pericope (cf. v.31's כַּכָּתוּב), 'according to all that is written'.
הַכָּת֖וּבthat is writtenart + Qal passive ptc ms · כָּתַב (H3789)Substantival passive participle (object of כְּכָל, citation formula)→ Passive participle: stative, pointing to a fixed written textual sourceכָּתַב (H3789) Qal passive ptc 'written'; 'all that is written' — the reading is bound to, and matches exactly, the written scroll named next, reinforcing the textual fidelity theme begun in v.31-32.
בְּסֵ֥פֶרin the book ofprep בְּ + N m sg cstr · סֵפֶר (H5612)Locative prepositional phrase (source of citation)סֵפֶר (H5612) 'book, scroll'; construct before הַתּוֹרָה, naming the written source, matching the phrase of v.31.
הַתּוֹרָֽהthe lawart + N f sg abs · תּוֹרָה (H8451)Genitive (construct chain)תּוֹרָה (H8451) completes 'the book of the law' — the same written Mosaic document cited in v.31, now the exact source read aloud.
35

לֹֽא הָיָ֣ה דָבָ֔ר מִכֹּ֖ל אֲשֶׁר צִוָּ֣ה מֹשֶׁ֑ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא קָרָ֜א יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ נֶ֣גֶד כָּל קְהַ֤ל יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְהַנָּשִׁ֣ים וְהַטַּ֔ף וְהַגֵּ֖ר הַהֹלֵ֥ךְ בְּקִרְבָּֽם

There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourner who walked in their midst.

Emphatic summary/closure of the covenant-reading sceneasyndeton
The double-negative construction ('not a word... that he did not read') is the strongest possible Hebrew idiom for total completeness — nothing commanded was omitted. The chapter then closes by naming every category of person present — men, elders, officers, judges, women, children, and the resident sojourner — an emphatically inclusive audience that underscores the covenant's binding force on the whole community without exception, giving the chapter's final note real theological weight.
Word-by-word analysis· 20 words
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the verb הָיָה (opens emphatic negation)לֹא (H3808) standard negative particle; opens the verse's emphatic totality formula 'there was not a word...'.
הָיָ֣הthere wasQal perf 3ms · הָיָה (H1961)Predicate verb (main clause, existential, negated)→ Perfective: negated existential — asserts the complete absence of any exceptionהָיָה (H1961) Qal 'to be, become, exist'; here existential, 'there was [not]' — negated to assert exhaustive completeness of the reading.
דָבָ֔רa wordN m sg abs · דָּבָר (H1697)Subject of הָיָהדָּבָר (H1697) 'word, thing, matter'; subject of the negated existential — 'not a word', picking up the דִּבְרֵי הַתּוֹרָה of v.34 to stress that every single word was read.
מִכֹּ֖לof allprep מִן + N m sg abs · כֹּל (H3605)Partitive prepositional phrase modifying דָבָרכֹּל (H3605) 'all'; with מִן, 'from/of all' — introduces the relative clause specifying the totality of Moses' commands.
אֲשֶׁרthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing the clause on כֹּלאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces 'that Moses commanded'.
צִוָּ֣הcommandedPiel perf 3ms · צִוָּה (H6680)Predicate verb (relative clause)→ Perfective: a completed act, the totality of Moses' commands as a fixed bodyצִוָּה (H6680) Piel 'to command'; the totality of Moses' instructions, none of which went unread.
מֹשֶׁ֑הMosesproper noun · מֹשֶׁה (H4872)Subject of צִוָּהמֹשֶׁה (H4872) Moses, the source of the commanded torah.
אֲשֶׁ֨רthatrelative pron · אֲשֶׁר (H834)Relative pronoun introducing a second, negated relative clauseאֲשֶׁר (H834) relative particle; introduces the second qualifying clause, 'that Joshua did not read', doubling down on the totality claim.
לֹֽאnotnegative particle · לֹא (H3808)Negates the verb קָרָאלֹא (H3808) negative particle; negates Joshua's reading — 'that he did not read', completing the double-negative totality construction ('not a word... that he did not read' = 'every single word').
קָרָ֜אhe readQal perf 3ms · קָרָא (H7121)Predicate verb (relative clause, negated)→ Perfective: negated completed act — the double negation yields an emphatic universal affirmative ('he read absolutely everything')קָרָא (H7121) Qal 'to read aloud, proclaim'; negated here to produce, together with the initial לֹא הָיָה דָבָר, an emphatic Hebrew double-negative construction meaning 'there was nothing that Joshua failed to read' — total, exhaustive public proclamation.
יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַJoshuaproper noun · יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091)Subject of קָרָאיְהוֹשֻׁעַ (H3091) Joshua, the one who publicly and completely proclaims the torah, closing the covenant-renewal scene as its faithful reader.
נֶ֣גֶדbeforeprep · נֶגֶד (H5048)Locative prepositional phrase (audience)נֶגֶד (H5048) 'in front of, before'; marks the assembly as the public witness/audience of the reading.
כָּלallN m sg cstr · כֹּל (H3605)Object of preposition נֶגֶד (construct head)כֹּל (H3605) 'all'; construct before קְהַל, stressing the assembly's totality — mirrored by 'not a word' earlier in the verse.
קְהַ֤לthe assembly ofN m sg cstr · קָהָל (H6951)Genitive (construct chain)קָהָל (H6951) 'assembly, congregation'; construct before יִשְׂרָאֵל, a formal term for the whole covenant community gathered.
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙Israelproper noun · יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478)Genitive (construct chain)יִשְׂרָאֵל (H3478) completes 'the assembly of Israel', the audience before whom Joshua reads.
וְהַנָּשִׁ֣יםand the womenconj וְ + art + N f pl abs · אִשָּׁה (H802)Subject/apposition (expands 'the assembly' with named inclusive categories)אִשָּׁה (H802) 'woman'; here plural 'the women', explicitly named among the audience — the chapter's closing verse widens 'the assembly' to name every category of person present, leaving no one excluded.
וְהַטַּ֔ףand the little onesconj וְ + art + N m sg abs (collective) · טַף (H2945)Subject/apposition (coordinate inclusive category)טַף (H2945) 'children, little ones' (collective); named alongside the women — even the youngest, non-fighting members of the community are present to hear the covenant read.
וְהַגֵּ֖רand the sojournerconj וְ + art + N m sg abs · גֵּר (H1616)Subject/apposition (coordinate inclusive category)גֵּר (H1616) 'sojourner, resident alien'; named again (cf. v.33's כַּגֵּר כָּאֶזְרָח), reinforcing that the non-native resident shares fully in the covenant assembly.
הַהֹלֵ֥ךְwho walkedart + Qal ptc ms · הָלַךְ (H1980)Attributive participle modifying הַגֵּר→ Participle: describes the sojourner's ongoing situation — living embedded among the peopleהָלַךְ (H1980) Qal ptc 'walking, going'; idiomatic of dwelling/living among a people — 'the sojourner who walks/lives in their midst', stressing the sojourner's integrated presence in the community.
בְּקִרְבָּֽםin their midstprep בְּ + N m sg cstr + suffix 3mp · קֶרֶב (H7130)Locative prepositional phrase modifying הַהֹלֵךְקֶרֶב (H7130) 'midst, inward part'; with 3mp suffix, 'in their midst' — the sojourner lives embedded within Israel, the final phrase of the chapter closing the inclusive-audience list (all Israel, elders, officers, judges, women, little ones, and sojourner) with no exception left unnamed.