John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 8. And it shall be, when ye have taken the city , etc.] Entered it and become masters of it: [that] ye shall set the city on fire ; not the whole city, only some outlying houses of it, to make a smoke which might be seen both by Israel and the men of Ai, for different purposes; for the spoil of the city was first to be taken before it was utterly burnt with fire: according to the commandment of the Lord shall ye do ; plunder the city, destroy the inhabitants of it, and then burn it: see I have commanded you ; delivered the command of the Lord unto them, and therefore were left without excuse, and could not plead ignorance; besides, he was their general, and he expected his orders to be obeyed, as they ought to have been.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 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 neve draw them back.
Original Hebrew והיה1961 כתפשׂכם8610 את853 העיר5892 תציתו3341 את853 העיר5892 באשׁ784 כדבר1697 יהוה3068 תעשׂו6213 ראו7200 צויתי6680 אתכם׃853
