12 Joshua had taken about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.
12 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.
12 He took about 5,000 men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.
12 He had taken about five thousand men and put them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, west of the city.
12 So he took about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.
12 That night Joshua sent about 5,000 men to lie in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the town.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Joshua 8:12
Commentary on Joshua 8:3-22
(Read Joshua 8:3-22)
Observe Joshua's conduct and prudence. Those that would maintain their spiritual conflicts must not love their ease. Probably he went into the valley alone, to pray to God for a blessing, and he did not seek in vain. He never drew back till the work was done. Those that have stretched out their hands against their spiritual enemies, must never draw them back.