Definition: And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; [and] make not all the people to labour thither; for they [are but] few.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 7:3. It’s a really important part of how God handled a terrible situation in ancient Israel. Here's a simplified explanation: The Situation: Ai was a powerful city: The verse describes Ai as a large and wealthy city that was about to be conquered by the Israelites. They were attacking: The Israelites, led by Joshua, were planning an attack on Ai. They believed it would be a significant victory for them. What Joshua Said & What He Did: “Let not all the people go up…” : Joshua instructed his commanders to not send out a large, overwhelming army to conquer the city. He wanted to avoid a massive, potentially disastrous battle. “…but let about two or three thousand men go up…” : Joshua decided to send a smaller group of soldiers – only around two or three thousand – to attack Ai. “and make not all the people to labour thither…” : This is the key part! Joshua said they would not force everyone to work in the city. He wanted to limit the damage and avoid overwhelming the defenders. “…for they [are] but few.” : This is a crucial detail. The verse says that the number of people going up was very small . They were only a few – enough to make a significant impact, but not enough to overwhelm the city’s defenses. The Purpose & Significance: Protecting Israel: This action was a strategic decision made by God to protect the Israelites from being overwhelmed and to prevent a devastating battle that could have resulted in loss of life for the entire population of Ai. Showing God's Power: It’s a powerful example of God choosing a smaller, more measured approach to victory, demonstrating His control and wisdom. In short, Joshua was prioritizing the safety of his people and avoiding a potentially huge conflict by limiting the number of soldiers involved. --- Do you want me to: Explain any particular aspect of this verse in more detail? Provide context about the situation in ancient Israel?