Joshua 8:27

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.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(27) The spoil of that city Israel took.—The spoil of Ai was assigned to Israel, the spoil of Jericho had been claimed for Jehovah alone.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:23-29 God, the righteous Judge, had sentenced the Canaanites for their wickedness; the Israelites only executed his doom. None of their conduct can be drawn into an example for others. Especial reason no doubt there was for this severity to the king of Ai; it is likely he had been notoriously wicked and vile, and a blasphemer of the God of Israel.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

No doubt Joshua had ascended the heights, most likely those to the north of the valley, so as to separate himself from the flying Israelites on the lower ground, and to be visible to the men in ambush behind the city. He now, at the command of God, gives the appointed signal to the ambush.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

26. Joshua drew not his hand back—Perhaps, from the long continuance of the posture, it might have been a means appointed by God, to animate the people, and kept up in the same devout spirit as Moses had shown, in lifting up his hands, until the work of slaughter had been completed—the ban executed. (See on [183]Ex 17:10).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Only the cattle, and the spoil of the city, Israel took for a prey unto themselves,.... Even all their substance, as besides their cattle, also their gold, silver, household goods, merchandise, &c.

according unto the word of the Lord which he commanded Joshua, Joshua 8:2.

Geneva Study Bible

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.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

27. which he commanded Joshua] See Joshua 8:2, and comp. Numbers 31:22-26.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 27. - Only the cattle (see ver. 2). Joshua 8:27

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

Only the cattle and the rest of the booty the conquerors retained for themselves, according to the word of the Lord (Joshua 8:2).