Search for commentaries – Joshua 8

Israel Destroys the Town of Ai
The conquest of Ai was very important to the Israelites. Only 11 miles from Jericho, Ai was a key stronghold for the Canaanites and a buffer fortress for Bethel (v. 12). The LORD told Joshua not to be afraid, or discouraged by what happened at the town of Ai (vv. 1-2). Take the a …

Joshua leads the people to Shechem
When Israel was still encamped in Moab, waiting to cross over the Jordan into Canaan, Moses included as part of his last instructions to Joshua that an altar of stones be erected on Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy27:4). Following the victory at Ai, Joshua felt compelled to fulfill …