101 Myths of the Bible: how ancient scribes - Conscious Evolution TV

yth #85:
Joshua ruined Ai.
The Myth: And Joshua burnt Ai, and made it an heap for ever, even a desolation
unto this day. ( Josh. 8:28)
The Reality: The name Ai means “ruin.” Archaeological evidence indicates that
the city had been a pile of rubble for over a thousand years before the time of Joshua.
After the battle of Jericho, Joshua set his sights on the city of Ai, a name that translates
as“Ruin.” The story places“Ruin” between Beth-el (“House of God”) and Bethaven
(“House of Evil”) an image that already suggests an allegorical framework.
As at Jericho, Joshua dispatched some spies and they came back with reports of an
easy victory requiring only a small force. Joshua marshaled a modest contingent and
sent them towards Ai. There, unfortunately, they suffered a major defeat and Joshua
became wracked with despair. Israel’s leader conferred with God and learned that one
of the Israelites had held back some of the LORD’s booty and Joshua would have to
uncover the scoundrel and engage in a purification ritual.
Joshua made some inquiries and a man named Achan confessed to the deed. After
the traditional stoning and immolation, Joshua buried Achan (henceforth known as
“The Troubler of Israel”) under a pile of rocks. This sacred execution brought about
the necessary purification and on God’s word Joshua renewed plans for an attack on Ai.
This time, he had a new stratagem. Again he sent out a small force, but, assuming
that the soldiers of Ai would be emboldened by their earlier victory, he figured they
would come out from behind the city walls and attack. The small invasion force had
been instructed to withdraw at this point and lure the defending army after them.
Joshua had an ambush set up down the road to trap the soldiers with a second division
poised to attack the now defenseless city. The plan worked like a charm. Ai was captured
and destroyed, and the citizens all duly butchered.
As with Jericho, archaeological data presents a different picture. The site of Ai once
hosted a major fortified city, but it was destroyed sometime around 2400 B.C. It
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