NET Bible
"He took five thousand men and set an ambush west of the city between Bethel and Ai."
— Joshua 8:12, NET Bible
“And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Beth–el and Ai, on the west side of the city.”
“And he took about five thousand men, and set them in ambush between Beth-el and Ai, on the west side of the city. ”
“He took about five thousand men, and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, on the west side of the city.”
“And he had chosen five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Bethel and Hai, on the west side of the same city:”
“And taking about five thousand men, he put them in position for a surprise attack on the west side of Ai, between Beth-el and Ai.”
“And he took about five thousand men, and set them to lie in ambush between Beth–el and Ai, on the west side of the city.”
Joshua sent them away and they went to their hiding place west of Ai, between Bethel and Ai. Joshua spent that night with the army.
Bright and early the next morning Joshua gathered the army, and he and the leaders of Israel marched at the head of it to Ai.
All the troops that were with him marched up and drew near the city. They camped north of Ai on the other side of the valley.
He took five thousand men and set an ambush west of the city between Bethel and Ai.
The army was in position– the main army north of the city and the rear guard west of the city. That night Joshua went into the middle of the valley.
When the king of Ai saw Israel, they rushed to get up early. Then the men of the city went out to meet Israel in battle, he and all his people, at the meeting place near the rift valley. But he did not realize an ambush was waiting for him behind the city.
Joshua and all Israel pretended to be defeated by them and they retreated along the way to the wilderness.