10:1 Adoni-Zedek, king of Jerusalem, 3 heard how Joshua captured Ai and annihilated it and its king as he did Jericho 4 and its king. 5 He also heard how 6 the people of Gibeon made peace with Israel and lived among them.
8:14 When the king of Ai saw Israel, he and his whole army quickly got up the next day and went out to fight Israel at the meeting place near the Arabah. 11 But he did not realize 12 men were hiding behind the city. 13
1 tn Heb “and that the smoke of the city ascended.”
2 tn Heb “and these went out from the city to meet them and they were for Israel in the middle, some on this side, and others on the other side.”
3 map For location see Map5-B1; Map6-F3; Map7-E2; Map8-F2; Map10-B3; JP1-F4; JP2-F4; JP3-F4; JP4-F4.
4 map For location see Map5-B2; Map6-E1; Map7-E1; Map8-E3; Map10-A2; Map11-A1.
5 tn Heb “as he had done to Jericho and to its king, so he did to Ai and to its king.”
6 tn Heb “and how.”
7 tn The meaning and correct translation of the Hebrew word שְׁבָרִים (shÿvarim) is uncertain. The translation “fissures” is based on usage of the plural form of the noun in Ps 60:4 HT (60:2 ET), where it appears to refer to cracks in the earth caused by an earthquake. Perhaps deep ravines or gorges are in view, or the word is a proper noun (“all the way to Shebarim”).
8 sn The precise geographical location of the Israelite defeat at this “steep slope” is uncertain.
9 tn Or “army’s.”
10 tn Heb “and the heart of the people melted and became water.”
11 tn Heb “When the king of Ai saw, the men of Ai hurried and rose early and went out to meet Israel for battle, he and all his people at the meeting place before the Arabah.”
12 tn Or “know.”
13 tn Heb “that (there was) an ambush for him behind the city.”
14 tn Heb “and they saw, and look.” The Hebrew term הִנֵּה (hinneh, “look”) draws attention to the scene and invites the audience to view the events from the perspective of the men of Ai.
15 tn Heb “and there was not in them hands to flee here or there.” The Hebrew term יָדַיִם (yadayim, “hands”) is idiomatic for “strength.”
16 tn Heb “on a tree until evening.” The words “leaving him exposed” are supplied in the translation for clarity.
17 sn For the legal background of this action, see Deut 21:22-23.
18 tn Heb “to this day.”