Joshua 8:28

And Ioshua burnt Ai, and made it an heape for euer, euen a desolation vnto this day.
- King James Version (1611) - View 1611 Bible Scan

So Joshua burned Ai and made it a heap forever, a desolation until this day.
- New American Standard Version (1995)

So Joshua burnt Ai, and made it a heap for ever, even a desolation, unto this day.
- American Standard Version (1901)

So Joshua gave Ai to the flames, and made it a waste mass of stones for ever, as it is to this day.
- Basic English Bible

And Joshua burned Ai, and made it an everlasting heap of desolation to this day.
- Darby Bible

And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it a heap for ever, even a desolation to this day.
- Webster's Bible

So Joshua burnt Ai, and made it a heap forever, even a desolation, to this day.
- World English Bible

And Joshua burneth Ai, and maketh it a heap age-during -- a desolation unto this day;
- Youngs Literal Bible

So Joshua burnt Ai, and made it a heap for ever, even a desolation, unto this day.
- Jewish Publication Society Bible

Wesley's Notes for Joshua 8:28

8:26 Drew not his hand back - He kept his hand and spear in the same posture, both stretched out and lifted up, as a sign both to encourage them, and to direct them to go on in the work.

8:29 Hanged on a tree - He dealt more severely with the kings of Canaan than with the people, because the abominable wickedness of that people was not restrained and punished (as it should have been) but countenanced and encouraged by their evil examples; and because they were the principal authors of the destruction of their own people, by engaging them in an obstinate opposition against the Israelites. Down from the tree - According to God's command in that case, #Deut 21:22|. The gate of the city - Which place he chose either as most commodious, now especially when all the city within the gate was already turned in to an heap of stones and rubbish; or because this was the usual place of judgment; and therefore proper to bear the monument of God's just sentence against him, not without reflection upon that injustice which he had been guilty of in that place.

8:30 Then - Namely, after the taking of Ai. For they were obliged to do this, when they were brought over Jordan into the land of Canaan, #Deu 11:29 27:2|,3, which is not to be understood strictly, as if it were to be done the same day; for it is manifest they were first to be circumcised, and to eat the passover, which they did, and which was the work of some days; but as soon as they had opportunity to do it, which was now when these two great frontier cities were taken and destroyed, and thereby the coast cleared, and the bordering people under great consternation, so that all the Israelites might securely march thither. And indeed this work was fit to be done as soon as might be, that thereby they might renew their covenant with God, by whose help alone they could expect success in their great and difficult enterprize. Built an altar - Namely, for the offering of sacrifices, as appears from the following verse. Mount Ebal - God's altar was to be but in one place, #Deut 12:13|,14, and this place was appointed to he mount Ebal, #Deut 27:4|,5, which also seems most proper, that in that place whence the curses of the law were denounced against sinners, there might also be the tokens and means of grace, and peace, and reconciliation with God, for the removing of the curses, and the procuring of God's blessing to sinners.