Not strictly, but largely so called, who were now in Ai, either as constant and settled inhabitants, or as sojourners, and such as came to them for their help, such as being confederate with them are esteemed as one with them; for it is evident that the men of Beth-el are included in this number, Joshua 8:17, the Israelites who took this number being unable to distinguish who belonged to the one city, and who to the other.
Related Commentaries of Joshua 8:25
Joshua 8:25
25 And so it was, that all that fell that day, both of men and women, were twelve thousand, even all the men of Ai.