Definition: And all the people, [even the people] of war that [were] with him, went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city, and pitched on the north side of Ai: now [there was] a valley between them and Ai.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 8:11. It's a really important and dramatic part of the story of Israel’s conquest of Canaan. Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Joshua was about to attack the city of Ai. It's a moment of intense tension and strategic planning. “And all the people, [even the people] of war that [were] with him…” This tells us that there were other groups fighting against Israel – people from neighboring kingdoms who weren’t part of their army. “That were with him” means they were actively opposing them. “…went up, and drew nigh, and came before the city…” This is a very clear description of what happened. The Israelites (and their forces) moved closer to Ai than ever before. They built up and positioned themselves near the city walls. "...and pitched on the north side of Ai: now [there was] a valley between them and Ai." This is where it gets interesting! A valley, or a narrow strip of land, lay between the Israelites and Ai. This valley was exactly what God had planned for. So, what does this all mean? It's like God gave Joshua a strategic advantage – he could attack from a position that would be difficult for the enemy. The valley created a natural barrier, making it harder for the enemies to come close enough to launch an assault. It’s a divine plan of protection and defense! In short, this verse describes a pivotal moment where Joshua's forces positioned themselves to attack Ai, with a strategically placed valley acting as a buffer. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Provide more context about the historical situation?