8:28 And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for {l} ever, [even] a desolation unto this day.
(l) That it could never be built again.
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.
