Hai, also known as Ai, is a significant location in the biblical narrative, particularly in the Old Testament. It is primarily mentioned in the context of the Israelite conquest of Canaan under the leadership of Joshua. The city of Ai is situated east of Bethel and is notable for its strategic importance and the events that transpired there during the Israelite campaign.

Conquest of Ai:

The first mention of Ai is found in the Book of Joshua, where it is described as a city that the Israelites attempted to conquer after their victory at Jericho. The initial attempt to capture Ai ended in failure due to the sin of Achan, who had taken forbidden items from Jericho, leading to Israel's defeat. This event is recorded in Joshua 7:2-5 :

"Now Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is near Beth-aven, east of Bethel, and told them, 'Go up and spy out the land.' So the men went up and spied out Ai. On their return to Joshua, they reported, 'Not all the people need to go up. Let about two or three thousand men go up and attack Ai. Do not weary all the people, for only a few men are there.' So about three thousand men went up, but they fled before the men of Ai. And the men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of them, chasing them from the gate as far as the quarries and striking them down on the slopes. So the hearts of the people melted and became like water."

Following the defeat, Joshua sought the Lord, who revealed Achan's sin. After dealing with Achan, the Israelites prepared for a second assault on Ai. This time, God provided Joshua with a strategy to ambush the city, leading to its successful capture and destruction. This account is detailed in Joshua 8:1-29 , where God commands Joshua:

"Then the LORD said to Joshua, 'Do not be afraid or discouraged. Take the whole army with you and go up and attack Ai. For I have delivered into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land. You shall do to Ai and its king as you did to Jericho and its king, except that you may carry off their plunder and livestock for yourselves. Set an ambush behind the city.'"

The Israelites executed the plan, drawing the men of Ai out of the city and then capturing it by ambush. The city was set on fire, and its king was captured and executed. The victory at Ai was a pivotal moment in the conquest of Canaan, demonstrating the importance of obedience to God's commands.

Significance in Israel's History:

The events at Ai underscore several key themes in the biblical narrative, including the consequences of disobedience, the importance of faithfulness to God's instructions, and the assurance of victory when following divine guidance. Ai serves as a reminder of the need for holiness and the dangers of sin within the community of God's people.

Later References:

Ai is mentioned in other parts of the Old Testament, often in genealogical or geographical contexts. For example, in 1 Chronicles 7:28 , Ai is listed among the towns in the territory of the tribe of Ephraim:

"Their holdings and settlements included Bethel and its villages, Naaran to the east, Gezer and its villages to the west, and Shechem and its villages, all the way to Ayyah and its villages."

The city of Ai, through its narrative, provides a rich tapestry of lessons and historical insights into the early days of Israel's establishment in the Promised Land.Genesis 12:8
And he removed from there to a mountain on the east of Bethel, and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he built an altar to the LORD, and called on the name of the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

Genesis 13:3
And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai;
Nave's Topical Index

Concerning "Good," "Light," "Beautiful," "Desire," "Ecstasy ...
... For (as the infallible Scriptures say), a good tree cannot bring forth ... it hath respect
unto their state, providing, both in general and in ... [245] hai noetai kai ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter iv concerning good light.htm

On Faith
... two ago, wrote the Life of Hai Ebn Yokdan ... The faith of the Protestants, in general,
embraces only ... manifestly contained in, and provable by, the Holy Scriptures. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 106 on faith.htm

The Congregationalists.
... 41 (in the plural, hai ekklesiai); Galatians 1:22 ... of Government ratified by the General
Assembly of the ... living, agreeably to the Holy Scriptures, and submitting ...
/.../ 101 the congregationalists.htm

The Works of Philo that have Come Down to Us.
... divisions of the chapters in the Scriptures which are ... of the third division of the
third general group of ... de kai prophetais 'Ebraikon onom?ton hai hermeneiai. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xviii the works of philo.htm

Review
... Is it written for the mass of general readers ... involve a prolonged reference to the
Hebrew Scriptures, which would ... hos hen stoma kektemene; Kai gar hai kata ton ...
//christianbookshelf.org/burgon/inspiration and interpretation/review.htm

Fourthly; all the [Credenda, Or] Doctrines, which the True, Simple ...
... our nature, and therein to make a general revelation of ... either exact skill in the
Holy Scriptures, or in ... n8un koneos; kai krenai d' errheon, hai men hudatos ...
/.../xiii proposition xiii fourthly all.htm

Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God ...
... brother Paul" are part of the Holy Scriptures [334] ;"Divinely ... and put forth a standard
to which "general opinion" itself ... [330] Pasai hai theopneustoi graphai ...
/.../inspiration and interpretation/sermon iii inspiration of scripture gospel.htm

This HomilyIs Intended to Shew that the Fear of Magistrates is ...
... the benefit of hearing the divine Scriptures; and beholding ... we shall light up a general
flame throughout ... en tais oikiais ton xulon hai himantoseis, literally ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily vi this homily is.htm

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