Bible Strands
Joshua 7:3
On returning to Joshua, they reported, “There is no need to send all the people; two or three thousand men are enough to go up and attack Ai. Since the people of Ai are so few, you need not wear out all our people there.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The scouts report to Joshua upon returning from their reconnaissance mission, advising him on the force size needed to attack Ai.
The words — כָּל (kol) means “all,” and אַל (al) functions as a negative imperative meaning “do not,” framing their counsel as a direct prohibition against mobilizing the entire army.
The thread — This dynamic of underestimating a task appears alongside warnings about diligence in Hebrews 6:11 and Proverbs 13:4, 21:25, where slackness leads to failure while careful preparation is required.
Why it lands — It requires readers to evaluate opposition accurately rather than relying on surface impressions, treating complacency as a tactical liability.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And they returned to Joshua, and said unto him, Let not all the people go up; but let about two or three thousand men go up and smite Ai; and make not all the people to labour thither; for they are but few.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 6:11 We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure.
- Proverbs 13:4 The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.
- Proverbs 21:25 The craving of the slacker kills him because his hands refuse to work.
- Luke 13:24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.
- Hebrews 4:11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following the same pattern of disobedience.
- 2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge;
- 2 Peter 1:10 Therefore, brothers, strive to make your calling and election sure. For if you practice these things you will never stumble,