Definition: And he commanded them, saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city, [even] behind the city: go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Joshua 8:4. It’s a really important and dramatic passage about preparing for a battle! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse tells us that God is setting the Israelites up to defend Jericho, a very large and fortified city, against an enemy army. He's giving them a chance to prepare before they actually fight. Let's unpack it piece by piece: “And he commanded them…” - This means God is giving instructions to the Israelites. “…saying, Behold, ye shall lie in wait against the city…” – “Behold” is a command, so it’s like saying "Watch carefully!" The Israelites are being told to stay hidden . They shouldn't just run around and fight. They need to be positioned somewhere behind the city walls. “[even] behind the city:” - This is crucial. It means they must be behind the walls of Jericho. Think of it like setting up a lookout post. “Go not very far from the city, but be ye all ready:" – This is the key part! They are instructed to stay relatively close to the city, but not too close . It means they need to be prepared for a fight. “Be ye all ready” implies they need to be vigilant and ready to act quickly if the enemy attacks. What’s the Big Picture? This verse is part of a larger story in the Bible about God's plan to defeat Israel and its enemies. It shows that God wants to show his power and win the battle, even before it begins. It emphasizes that preparation is vital – being ready for war is key to victory. In short, it’s a command to be strategically positioned behind the city walls to be ready to defend against an attack. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Give you more context about the story of Jericho?