Ai, called Hai, Genesis 12:8, and Alia, Nehemiah 11:31. They were not to go into the city of Ai, but into the country bordering and belonging to it, and there to understand the state and quality of the place and people. Beside; so the Hebrew im is used, Genesis 25:11, Genesis 35:4 Judges 9:6, Judges 18:3 19:11. Beth-aven; a city or town distinct from, but nigh unto Beth-el, though Beth-el was afterwards by allusion called Beth-aven, Hosea 4:15, Hosea 10:5. Compare Joshua 18:12. On the east side of Beth-el: compare Genesis 12:8 Joshua 8:9,12.
Related Commentaries of Joshua 7:2
Joshua 7:2
2 And Joshua sent men from Jericho to Ai, which is beside Bethaven, on the east side of Bethel, and spake unto them, saying, Go up and view the country. And the men went up and viewed Ai.