Definition: And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Joshua 8:12. It's a really significant moment in the story of the Israelites' conquest of Canaan! Here’s what it means in simple terms: Basically, Joshua is telling us that he strategically positioned a large group of soldiers – about five thousand strong – to wait and ambush (set up a trap) around a city called Bethel. Let's unpack that a bit: Joshua: This was the leader of the Israelites at this point. 8:12: This is the verse itself. It’s a specific event in history. “About five thousand men…” - This tells us it wasn't just a small group; Joshua assembled a sizable force. “…and set them to lie in ambush…” – This is the key part! “Lying in ambush” means they were positioned to wait, hidden, and ready to strike when the enemy came. They weren’t going to fight directly; they'd be waiting for an opportunity to attack. “Between Bethel and Ai…” - This tells us where they were setting up their ambush. Bethel was a city in Canaan (modern-day Israel), and Ai was another city that the Israelites had conquered before. They were positioned between these two cities, creating a vulnerable point. Why did Joshua do this? This is a strategic move to protect his troops and give them an advantage during the battle. It's like putting your soldiers in a place where they can be easily attacked but also have a chance to surprise the enemy. What’s the big deal about this? It’s one of the earliest examples of a military strategy that focuses on deception and waiting for an opportunity. It shows Joshua's leadership was smart and he understood how to use his forces to control the battlefield. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this passage? Discuss the significance of this event in biblical history?