Twelve Thousand Fall - Joshua 8:25

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “it came to pass, when Israel had made an end of slaying all the inhabitants of Ai in the field, in the wilderness wherein they chased them, and when they were all fallen on the edge of the sword, until they were consumed, that all the Israelites returned unto Ai, and smote it with the edge of the sword”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-five of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand” where we read, 

And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, 

were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.

The verse reads, “And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and so it was” which means “and it existed and happened”, “that all that fell that day” or “that each, every, the whole and everyone who were cast down, wasted away and perished upon that particular sunrise to sunset”, “both of men” which means “including male human beings” “and women” or “and female human beings” numbered according to the following. Joshua or the writer began to share how many people of “Ai” were slain on that particular “day”. 

 

The verse continues, “… were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “were twelve thousand” which means “existed as twelve thousand”, “even all the men” or “indeed and also each, every, the whole and everyone of the male human beings” “of Ai” which means “belonging to Ai whose name means heap of ruins”. Joshua or the writer said “twelve thousand” male human beings from “Ai” perished on that “day”. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn that there were “twelve thousand” males from “Ai” who died on the day Israel defeated them. “Ai” killed “thirty six” men from “Israel” the first time “Israel” attacked “Ai”, (See Joshua 7:5) and this time “twelve thousand” men from “Ai” were dead. God takes care of His people, and when we align with His way of salvation through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and defeat our enemies as we have need and in keeping with His Divine purpose and will. 

Next time we learn how, “Joshua drew not his hand back, wherewith he stretched out the spear”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".