To go up against Ai — That is, to consider about this expedition; not as if all the people of war did actually go up, which was both unnecessary and burdensome: but it seems to be resolved by Joshua and all the council of war, that the thirty thousand here following should be selected for the enterprize. Either,
1, the thirty thousand now mentioned; or, 2. part of them; namely, such as were to lie in wait; and these were
only five thousand men, as is expressed, Joshua 8:12.