Joshua 7:2

Joshua Ai Beth-aven Bethel (of Palestine)Jericho

¹ The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.

Meanwhile, Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.

³ On returning to Joshua, they reported, “There is no need to send all the people; two or three thousand men are enough to go up and attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, you need not wear out all our people there.”

⁴ So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of Ai.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Meanwhile, Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven to the east of Bethel, and told them, “Go up and spy out the land.” So the men went up and spied out Ai.
KJV: And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.
WEB: Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the land.” The men went up and spied out Ai.
ASV: And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-aven, on the east side of Beth-el, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and spy out the land. And the men went up and spied out Ai.
DARBY: And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Beth-Aven, on the east side of Bethel, and spoke to them, saying, Go up and spy out the country. And the men went up and spied out Ai.
BLB: And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai—which [is] near Beth-aven on the east side of Bethel—and spoke to them, saying, “Go up and spy out the land.” And the men went up and spied out Ai.

ÅB: Fra Jeriko sendte Josva noen menn til Ai, som ligger ved Bet-Aven, østenfor Betel, og sa til dem: Dra opp og utspeid landet! Så dro mennene opp og utspeidet Ai.
OTB: Josva sendte menn fra Jeriko til Ai, som ligger nær Bet-aven, øst for Betel, og instruerte dem: “Gå opp og speid ut landet.” Så mennene gikk opp og utforsket Ai.
B1930: Fra Jeriko sendte Josva nogen menn til Ai, som ligger ved Bet-Aven, østenfor Betel, og sa til dem: Dra op og utspeid landet! Så drog mennene op og utspeidet Ai.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Joshua 18:12
On the north side their border began at the Jordan, went up past the northern slope of Jericho, headed west through the hill country, and came out at the wilderness of Beth-aven.
Read in context
1 Samuel 14:23
So the LORD saved Israel that day, and the battle moved on beyond Beth-aven.
Read in context
Hosea 4:15
Though you prostitute yourself, O Israel, may Judah avoid such guilt! Do not journey to Gilgal, do not go up to Beth-aven, and do not swear on oath, ‘As surely as the LORD lives!’
Read in context
1 Samuel 13:5
Now the Philistines assembled to fight against Israel with three thousand chariots, six thousand horsemen, and troops as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They went up and camped at Michmash, east of Beth-aven.
Read in context
Genesis 12:8
From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel to the west and Ai to the east. There he built an altar to the LORD, and he called on the name of the LORD.
Read in context
Proverbs 20:18
Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.
Read in context
Matthew 10:16
Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Read in context
Proverbs 24:6
Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.
Read in context