Joshua 8:13
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And when they had set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the middle of the valley.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And when they had set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the middle of the valley.
American Standard Version (ASV)
So they set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, and their liers-in-wait that were on the west of the city; and Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
So all the people were in their places, the army on the north side of the town and the secret force on the west; and that night Joshua went down into the valley.
Webster's Revision
And when they had set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, and their liers in wait on the west of the city, Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.
World English Bible
So they set the people, even all the army who was on the north of the city, and their ambush on the west of the city; and Joshua went that night into the midst of the valley.
English Revised Version (ERV)
So they set the people, even all the host that was on the north of the city, and their liers in wait that were on the west of the city; and Joshua went that night into the midst of the vale.
Barnes's Joshua 8:13 Bible Commentary
Joshua went down by night into the valley where He would be seen at daylight by the men of Ai, and was accompanied no doubt by a picked body of troops. The king of Ai, in the morning, would see neither the ambush in his rear, nor the whole of the great host of Israel among the hills away to the north on his left; but supposing, as it appears, that the Israelites before him were a body detached as on the former occasion to assail his city, he sallied out promptly to attack them.
Wesley's Joshua 8:13 Bible Commentary
8:13 Joshua went — Namely, accompanied with a small part of the host now mentioned, that is, very early in the morning, when it was yet dark, as is said in a like case, John 20:1, whence it is here called night, though it was early in the morning, as is said, Joshua 8:10, for it seems most probable, that all was done in one night's space, and in this manner; Joshua sends away the ambush by night, verse 3, and lodgeth that night with twenty-five thousand men, verse 9, not far from the city. But not able or willing to sleep all night, he rises very early, verse 10, and numbers his men, which by the help of the several officers was quietly done, and so immediately leads them towards Ai; and while it was yet duskish or night, he goes into the midst of the valley, verse 13, and when the day dawns he is discovered by the king and people of Ai, who thereupon rose up early to fight with them, verse 14.
The valley — Which was near the city, thereby to allure them forth.