Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves, according unto the word of the LORD which he commanded Joshua.

JOSHUA 8:27KJV
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Joshua 8:27 (KJV)

What does Joshua 8:27 mean?

Joshua 8:27 states that the Israelites took the cattle and the goods from the city of Ai for themselves, just as the LORD had instructed Joshua. The verse emphasizes that this action was done in obedience to a specific command from God.

In the story, Joshua is leading the people of Israel after the battle at Ai. Unlike the previous city of Jericho, where everything was to be destroyed or devoted to God, here the LORD (H3068) allowed Israel (H3478) to keep the cattle (H929) and spoil (H7998) as prey (H962). This verse highlights a change in God's instructions and shows Joshua (H3091) and the people following the word (H1697) that the LORD commanded (H6680).

The Hebrew behind Joshua 8:27

  • חָיָה (ḥāyāh, "cattle" – H929): This word refers to livestock or animals. In this context, it shows that the Israelites were permitted to keep the animals from Ai, which was not allowed at Jericho.
  • שָׁלָל (shalal, "spoil" – H7998): This word means goods or valuables taken in war. The use of this term underlines that the Israelites could benefit materially from this victory.
  • מַלְקוֹחַ (malqoach, "prey" – H962): This word often refers to plunder or what is taken by force. It emphasizes that the Israelites were allowed to take these things for themselves, as a reward.
  • דָּבָר (davar, "word" – H1697): This word means a command or instruction. The verse stresses that the Israelites’ actions were not random but followed the specific word of the LORD.

Why Joshua 8:27 matters

  • Joshua 8:27 clarifies that not every conquered city was treated the same way; God’s instructions could differ from place to place, as seen in the contrast with Jericho.
  • The verse shows the importance of obedience to God’s specific commands, highlighting that Joshua and the people acted according to what the LORD said, not their own ideas.
  • This detail helps explain why taking spoil from Ai was acceptable, whereas taking spoil from Jericho led to trouble for Israel, showing the significance of following God’s directions closely.

Where else these words appear

“prey” Hebrew H962 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 34:27 The sons of Jacob came upon the slain, and spoiled the city, because they had defiled their sister.
  • 2 Chronicles 14:14 And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
  • Isaiah 42:22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.

“spoil” Hebrew H7998 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 49:27 Benjamin shall ravin as a wolf: in the morning he shall devour the prey, and at night he shall divide the spoil.
  • 1 Samuel 30:20 And David took all the flocks and the herds, which they drave before those other cattle, and said, This is David's spoil.
  • Proverbs 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.