Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Then ye shall rise up from the ambush,.... When they should see a signal made, that in Joshua 8:18; and when their watch, they might set in a proper place, should see Israel flee, and the men of Ai at a distance from their city, pursuing, and give notice of it to the ambush:

and seize upon the city; enter into it, and take possession of it, its fortresses, and secure its passes:

for the Lord your God will deliver it into your hand; Joshua expresses himself with great confidence, having the promise of God, and relying on it.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

Joshua 8:7 Then ye shall rise up from the ambush, and seize upon the city: for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand.

Ver. 7. For the Lord your God will deliver it, &c.] Thus, "through faith they subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." [Hebrews 11:33-34]

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

Ye shall rise up from the ambush, to wit, upon the signal given, of which Joshua 8:18.

Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

“And you will rise up from the ambush, and take possession of the city. For YHWH your God will deliver it into your hand.”

At a signal from Joshua, made by raising his spear (verse 19) on some high point, for which they would be on the lookout, they would then move in and take possession of Ai. And they need not fear for YHWH would be with them and make them successful. For ‘YHWH your God’ compare ‘YHWH the God of Israel’ (Joshua 7:13; Joshua 7:19) a favourite title of Joshua’s.

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

hand. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for the power which is in it (App-6). Compare Joshua 8:20, where it is rendered "power.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

for the Lord

1; 2 Kings 5:1; Proverbs 21:30,31